Patents by Inventor Taber H. Smith

Taber H. Smith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7353475
    Abstract: A pattern-dependent model is used to predict variations of feature dimensions of an integrated circuit that is to be fabricated in accordance with a design by a process that includes (a) a fabrication process that will impart topographical variations to the integrated circuit and (b) a lithography or etch process, and an impact is determined of the variations of feature dimensions on electrical characteristics of the integrated circuit. An impact is determined of the topological variations on electrical characteristics of the integrated circuit. An RC extraction tool is used in conjunction with the using of the model and the determining of the impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David White, Taber H. Smith
  • Patent number: 7325206
    Abstract: An electronic design is generated for an integrated circuit that is to be fabricated in accordance with the electronic design by a process that will impart topographically induced feature dimension variations to the integrated circuit. The generating includes adjusting the electronic design based on predictions of topographical and topographical-related feature dimension variations by a pattern-dependent model. An RC extraction tool is used in conjunction with the generating and adjusting of the electronic design. The process includes a fabrication process that will impart topographical variation to the integrated circuit and a lithography or etch process. Placement attributes for elements of the integrated circuit are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David White, Taber H. Smith
  • Patent number: 7243316
    Abstract: A mask design is generated for patterning a test wafer using a lithographic or etch process, the process is characterized based on the patterned test wafer, and a pattern-dependent model is used based on the characterization to predict characteristics of integrated circuits that are to be fabricated by the lithographic or etch process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Praesagus, Inc.
    Inventors: David White, Taber H. Smith
  • Patent number: 7174520
    Abstract: Variations are characterized in feature dimensions of an integrated circuit that is to be fabricated in accordance with a design by a process that produces topographical variation in the integrated circuit, the variations in feature dimension being caused by the topographical variations. The process includes lithography or etch. Predicted characteristics are verified to conform to the design, the characteristics including feature dimensions or electrical characteristics. A process is selected for use in fabricating the integrated circuit based on the relative predicted variations. Chip-level features of a design of an integrated circuit are verified for manufacture within focus limitations of a lithographic tool. Whether a design of a level of an integrated circuit can be lithographically imaged in accordance with the design is predicted, and if it cannot be, the design or processing parameters are adjusted so that it can be.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Praesagus, Inc.
    Inventors: David White, Taber H. Smith
  • Patent number: 7152215
    Abstract: A method and system are described to reduce process variation as a result of the electrochemical deposition (ECD), also referred to as electrochemical plating (ECP), and chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) processing of films in integrated circuit manufacturing processes. The described methods use process variation and electrical impact to direct the insertion of dummy fill into an integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Praesagus, Inc.
    Inventors: Taber H. Smith, Vikas Mehrotra, David White
  • Patent number: 7124386
    Abstract: A method and system are described to reduce process variation as a result of the electrochemical deposition (ECD), also referred to as electrochemical plating (ECP), and chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) processing of films in integrated circuit manufacturing processes. The described methods use process variation and electrical impact to direct the insertion of dummy fill into an integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Praesagus, Inc.
    Inventors: Taber H. Smith, Vikas Mehrotra, David White
  • Patent number: 7062730
    Abstract: A mask design is generated for patterning a test wafer using a lithographic or etch process, the process is characterized based on the patterned test wafer, and a pattern-dependent model is used based on the characterization to predict characteristics of integrated circuits that are to be fabricated by the lithographic or etch process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Praesagus, Inc.
    Inventors: David White, Taber H. Smith
  • Patent number: 7039895
    Abstract: A pattern-dependent model is used to predict characteristics of an integrated circuit that is to be fabricated in accordance with a design by a process. The process includes (a) a fabrication process that will impart topographical variation to the integrated circuit and (b) a lithography or etch process, the lithography or etch process using a mask produced from the design. The lithography or etch process and the fabrication process interact to cause the predicted characteristics to differ from the design. The mask is adjusted in response to characteristics predicted by the model, to reduce the effect of the interacting of the lithography or etch process and the fabrication process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Praesagus, Inc.
    Inventors: David White, Taber H. Smith
  • Publication number: 20030237064
    Abstract: Variations are characterized in feature dimensions of an integrated circuit that is to be fabricated in accordance with a design by a process that produces topographical variation in the integrated circuit, the variations in feature dimension being caused by the topographical variations. The process includes lithography or etch. Predicted characteristics are verified to conform to the design, the characteristics including feature dimensions or electrical characteristics. A process is selected for use in fabricating the integrated circuit based on the relative predicted variations. Chip-level features of a design of an integrated circuit are verified for manufacture within focus limitations of a lithographic tool. Whether a design of a level of an integrated circuit can be lithographically imaged in accordance with the design is predicted, and if it cannot be, the design or processing parameters are adjusted so that it can be.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: David White, Taber H. Smith
  • Publication number: 20030229868
    Abstract: An electronic design is generated for an integrated circuit that is to be fabricated in accordance with the electronic design by a process that will impart topographically induced feature dimension variations to the integrated circuit. The generating includes adjusting the electronic design based on predictions of topographical and topographical-related feature dimension variations by a pattern-dependent model. An RC extraction tool is used in conjunction with the generating and adjusting of the electronic design. The process includes a fabrication process that will impart topographical variation to the integrated circuit and a lithography or etch process. Placement attributes for elements of the integrated circuit are determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: David White, Taber H. Smith
  • Publication number: 20030229875
    Abstract: A method and system are described to reduce process variation as a result of the electrochemical deposition (ECD), also referred to as electrochemical plating (ECP), and chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) processing of films in integrated circuit manufacturing processes. The described methods use process variation and electrical impact to direct the insertion of dummy fill into an integrated circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Taber H. Smith, Vikas Mehrotra, David White
  • Publication number: 20030229410
    Abstract: Sites to be measured on a device that is to be fabricated using at least one fabrication process, are selected based on a pattern-dependent model of the process. A metrology tool to measure a parameter of a semiconductor device includes a control element to select sites for measurement based on a pattern dependent model of a process with respect to the device. Problematic areas, within a chip or die and within a wafer, are identified that result from process variation. The variation is identified and characterized, and the location of each site is stored. The sites may be manually entered into a metrology tool or the method will automatically generate a measurement plan. Process variation and electrical impact are used to direct the measurement of within-die and wafer-level integrated circuit locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Taber H. Smith, David White
  • Publication number: 20030226757
    Abstract: A method and system are described to reduce process variation as a result of the electrochemical deposition (ECD), also referred to as electrochemical plating (ECP), and chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) processing of films in integrated circuit manufacturing processes. The described methods use process variation and electrical impact to direct the insertion of dummy fill into an integrated circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Taber H. Smith, Vikas Mehrotra, David White
  • Publication number: 20030229881
    Abstract: A pattern-dependent model is used to predict characteristics of an integrated circuit that is to be fabricated in accordance with a design by a process. The process includes (a) a fabrication process that will impart topographical variation to the integrated circuit and (b) a lithography or etch process, the lithography or etch process using a mask produced from the design. The lithography or etch process and the fabrication process interact to cause the predicted characteristics to differ from the design. The mask is adjusted in response to characteristics predicted by the model, to reduce the effect of the interacting of the lithography or etch process and the fabrication process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: David White, Taber H. Smith
  • Publication number: 20030229412
    Abstract: A pattern-dependent model is used to predict variations of feature dimensions of an integrated circuit that is to be fabricated in accordance with a design by a process that includes (a) a fabrication process that will impart topographical variations to the integrated circuit and (b) a lithography or etch process, and an impact is determined of the variations of feature dimensions on electrical characteristics of the integrated circuit. An impact is determined of the topological variations on electrical characteristics of the integrated circuit. An RC extraction tool is used in conjunction with the using of the model and the determining of the impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: David White, Taber H. Smith
  • Publication number: 20030228714
    Abstract: A method and system are described to reduce process variation as a result of the electrochemical deposition (ECD), also referred to as electrochemical plating (ECP), and chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) processing of films in integrated circuit manufacturing processes. The described methods use process variation and electrical impact to direct the insertion of dummy fill into an integrated circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Taber H. Smith, Vikas Mehrotra, David White
  • Publication number: 20030229880
    Abstract: A mask design is generated for patterning a test wafer using a lithographic or etch process, the process is characterized based on the patterned test wafer, and a pattern-dependent model is used based on the characterization to predict characteristics of integrated circuits that are to be fabricated by the lithographic or etch process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: David White, Taber H. Smith
  • Publication number: 20030229479
    Abstract: A method and system are described to reduce process variation as a result of the electrochemical deposition (ECD), also referred to as electrochemical plating (ECP), and chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) processing of films in integrated circuit manufacturing processes. The described methods use process variation and electrical impact to direct the insertion of dummy fill into an integrated circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Taber H. Smith, Vikas Mehrotra, David White
  • Patent number: 6153115
    Abstract: Plasma process analysis techniques are provided. The intensity of each of a number, P, of a plurality of radiation wavelengths that are emitted from a plasma process are monitored as the process proceeds. Indications of P-dimensional correlations between the intensities of the P monitored wavelengths are produced as the process proceeds. Then the produced correlation indications are compared with a prespecified correlation indication generated based on historical conditions for the plasma process, to determine the status condition of the process as the process proceeds. With this technique, the use of a priori, expected, specific templates is not required for evaluating radiation emission data during a plasma process. Instead the techniques investigate and discover the multiple complex correlations that form between various radiation emission wavelengths during a plasma process, and do not impose an expectation for a specific correlation or trend between the various wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Minh Le, Kuang Han Chen, Taber H. Smith, Duane S. Boning, Herbert H. Sawin