Patents by Inventor Tien-Chun Yang

Tien-Chun Yang 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: 9998103
    Abstract: A delay line circuit includes: a coarse-tuning arrangement, including delay units; and a fine-tuning arrangement including at least three serially-connected inverters. The coarse-tuning arrangement is configured to receive an input signal and coarsely-tune the input signal, the coarsely-tuning including transferring the input signal through a selected number of the delay units and thereby producing a first output signal. The fine-tuning arrangement is configured to receive the first output signal, finely-tune the first output signal, and produce a second output signal, the finely-tuning including selectively connecting a speed control unit to a node between a corresponding pair of the at least three serially-connected inverters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Chieh Huang, Chan-Hong Chern, Tsung-Ching (Jim) Huang, Chih-Chang Lin, Tien-Chun Yang
  • Patent number: 9966935
    Abstract: A latch circuit includes a first input node, a second input node, a first output node, a second output node, a first switching device coupled between the first output node and the second output node, and a first amplification circuit coupled with the first input node, the second input node, the first output node, and the second output node. The first switching device is configured to be turned on in response to a first state of a clock signal and to be turned off in response to a second state of the clock signal. The first amplification circuit is configured to cause a voltage difference across the first switching device based on voltage levels of the first input node and the second input node in response to the first state of the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tsung-Ching (Jim) Huang, Chan-Hong Chern, Ming-Chieh Huang, Chih-Chang Lin, Tien-Chun Yang
  • Publication number: 20180083605
    Abstract: A clock generation circuit includes: a two-phase clock generation circuit configured to generate a first phase clock signal and a second phase clock signal based correspondingly on a non-inverted clock signal and an inverted clock signal, the first phase clock signal and the second phase clock signal exhibiting non-overlapping logical high states; an inverter configured to generate the inverted clock signal based on an input clock signal; and a delay circuit which is non-inverter-based and which is configured to generate the non-inverted clock signal based on the input clock signal, the delay circuit having a predetermined delay sufficient to cause a difference between a first duration and a second duration within a clock cycle to be less than a predetermined tolerance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Tien-Chun YANG, Chih-Chang LIN, Ming-Chieh HUANG
  • Patent number: 9923457
    Abstract: An intellectual property (IP) block portion in an integrated circuit includes a first regulator, a first circuit, a power converter, and a second circuit. The first regulator is configured to receive a supply voltage and to generate a first output voltage. The first circuit is coupled with the first regulator and configured to receive the first output voltage. The power converter includes a charge pump configured to receive the supply voltage and to generate a pumped voltage; and a second regulator configured to receive the supply voltage or the pumped voltage and to generate a second output voltage. The second output voltage has a voltage level greater than a voltage level of the first output voltage. The second circuit is coupled with the power converter and configured to receive the second output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Tien-Chun Yang
  • Publication number: 20180026530
    Abstract: In a charge pump circuit, a first circuit is configured to provide a first node with a first first-voltage level or a first second-voltage level. A second circuit is configured to provide a second node with a second first-voltage level or a second second-voltage level. The first node is coupled with a first end of a first capacitive element. The second node is coupled with a first end of a second capacitive element. A first end of a first voltage transfer circuit is configured to receive an input voltage. A second end of the first voltage transfer circuit is coupled with a second end of the first capacitive element and a first end of a second voltage transfer circuit. A second end of the second voltage transfer circuit is coupled with a second end of the second capacitive element, and is configured to provide an output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Qing DONG, Tien-Chun YANG, Yue-Der CHIH
  • Patent number: 9831860
    Abstract: A clock generation circuit includes a two-phase non-overlapping clock generation circuit, an inverter, and a delay circuit. The two-phase non-overlapping clock generation circuit is configured to generate a first phase clock signal and a second phase clock signal based on a non-inverted clock signal and an inverted clock signal. The first phase clock signal and the second phase clock signal correspond to a same logical value during a first duration and a second duration within a clock cycle. The inverter is configured to generate the inverted clock signal based on an input clock signal. The delay circuit is configured to generate the non-inverted clock signal based on the input clock signal. The delay circuit has a predetermined delay sufficient to cause a difference between the first duration and the second duration to be less than a predetermined tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tien-Chun Yang, Chih-Chang Lin, Ming-Chieh Huang
  • Patent number: 9787176
    Abstract: In a charge pump circuit, a first circuit is configured to provide a first node with a first first-voltage level or a first second-voltage level. A second circuit is configured to provide a second node with a second first-voltage level or a second second-voltage level. The first node is coupled with a first end of the first capacitive element. The second node is coupled with a first end of the second capacitive device. A first end of the first voltage transfer circuit is configured to receive an input voltage. A second end of the first voltage transfer circuit is coupled with a second end of the first capacitive device and a first end of the second voltage transfer circuit. A second end of the second voltage transfer circuit is coupled with a second end of the second capacitive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Qing Dong, Tien-Chun Yang, Yue-Der Chih
  • Publication number: 20170236594
    Abstract: A circuit includes a current generating circuit and a sense amplifier. The current generating circuit includes a first current mirror that generates a first current having a first current value less than a value of a first cell current through a first reference cell, and based on a ratio of the first cell current to the first current. A second current mirror generates a second current having a second current value less than a value of a second cell current through a second reference cell, and based on a ratio of the second cell current to the second current. The current generating circuit generates a reference current having a reference current value based on the first and second current values. The sense amplifier receives a third current having a third current value and generates a voltage output based on the reference and third current values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventor: Tien-Chun YANG
  • Patent number: 9666246
    Abstract: A circuit comprises a first path, a second path, a current generating circuit, and a sense amplifier. The first path has a first current having a first current value. The second path has a second current having a second current value. The current generating circuit is configured to generate a reference current having a reference current value based on the first current value and the second current value. The sense amplifier is configured to receive a third current having a third current value and to generate a logical value based on the reference current value and the third current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Tien-Chun Yang
  • Publication number: 20170134013
    Abstract: A delay line circuit includes: a coarse-tuning arrangement, including delay units; and a fine-tuning arrangement including at least three serially-connected inverters. The coarse-tuning arrangement is configured to receive an input signal and coarsely-tune the input signal, the coarsely-tuning including transferring the input signal through a selected number of the delay units and thereby producing a first output signal. The fine-tuning arrangement is configured to receive the first output signal, finely-tune the first output signal, and produce a second output signal, the finely-tuning including selectively connecting a speed control unit to a node between a corresponding pair of the at least three serially-connected inverters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Ming-Chieh HUANG, Chan-Hong CHERN, Tsung-Ching (Jim) HUANG, Chih-Chang LIN, Tien-Chun YANG
  • Patent number: 9584107
    Abstract: A delay line circuit includes a plurality of delay units configured to receive an input signal and to provide a first output signal. The plurality of delay units is configured to selectively invert or relay the input signal to produce the first output signal based on a first instruction received from a delay line controller. A phase interpolator unit includes an offset unit configured to selectively add a speed control unit in the phase interpolator unit based on a second instruction received from the delay line controller. The phase interpolator unit is further configured to receive the first output signal and provide a second output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Chieh Huang, Chan-Hong Chern, Tsung-Ching (Jim) Huang, Chih-Chang Lin, Tien-Chun Yang
  • Patent number: 9502098
    Abstract: A method of operating a first voltage regulator includes electrically coupling a transistor of an output stage of the first voltage regulator between a first power voltage and a second power voltage, and reverse biasing a bulk of the transistor by a back-bias circuit during a standby mode of a memory array. The first voltage regulator is coupled to a second voltage regulator and reverse biasing the bulk of the transistor reduces a contention current between the first voltage regulator and the second voltage regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Chieh Huang, Chan-Hong Chern, Tien Chun Yang, Chih-Chang Lin, Yuwen Swei
  • Patent number: 9489989
    Abstract: A voltage regulator includes an output stage electrically coupled with an output end of the voltage regulator. The output stage includes at least one transistor having a bulk and a drain. At least one back-bias circuit is electrically coupled with the bulk of the at least one transistor. The at least one back-bias circuit is configured to provide a bulk voltage, such that the bulk and the drain of the at least one transistor are reverse biased during a standby mode of a memory array that is electrically coupled with the voltage regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Chieh Huang, Chan-Hong Chern, Tien Chun Yang, Chih-Chang Lin, Yuwen Swei
  • Publication number: 20160315537
    Abstract: An intellectual property (IP) block portion in an integrated circuit includes a first regulator, a first circuit, a power converter, and a second circuit. The first regulator is configured to receive a supply voltage and to generate a first output voltage. The first circuit is coupled with the first regulator and configured to receive the first output voltage. The power converter includes a charge pump configured to receive the supply voltage and to generate a pumped voltage; and a second regulator configured to receive the supply voltage or the pumped voltage and to generate a second output voltage. The second output voltage has a voltage level greater than a voltage level of the first output voltage. The second circuit is coupled with the power converter and configured to receive the second output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventor: Tien-Chun YANG
  • Patent number: 9455666
    Abstract: A circuit includes at least two LC voltage controlled oscillators (LCVCOs). Each LCVCO includes a switch to selectively turn on or off the LCVCO. One selected LCVCO of the at least two LCVCOs is configured to provide a differential LCVCO output. A converter coupled to the at least two LCVCOs is configured to receive the differential LCVCO output and provide an output signal with a full voltage swing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Chang Lin, Chan-Hong Chern, Ming-Chieh Huang, Tien-Chun Yang
  • Publication number: 20160277014
    Abstract: A clock generation circuit includes a two-phase non-overlapping clock generation circuit, an inverter, and a delay circuit. The two-phase non-overlapping clock generation circuit is configured to generate a first phase clock signal and a second phase clock signal based on a non-inverted clock signal and an inverted clock signal. The first phase clock signal and the second phase clock signal correspond to a same logical value during a first duration and a second duration within a clock cycle. The inverter is configured to generate the inverted clock signal based on an input clock signal. The delay circuit is configured to generate the non-inverted clock signal based on the input clock signal. The delay circuit has a predetermined delay sufficient to cause a difference between the first duration and the second duration to be less than a predetermined tolerance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Tien-Chun YANG, Chih-Chang LIN, Ming-Chieh HUANG
  • Publication number: 20160268893
    Abstract: In a charge pump circuit, a first circuit is configured to provide a first node with a first first-voltage level or a first second-voltage level. A second circuit is configured to provide a second node with a second first-voltage level or a second second-voltage level. The first node is coupled with a first end of the first capacitive element. The second node is coupled with a first end of the second capacitive device. A first end of the first voltage transfer circuit is configured to receive an input voltage. A second end of the first voltage transfer circuit is coupled with a second end of the first capacitive device and a first end of the second voltage transfer circuit. A second end of the second voltage transfer circuit is coupled with a second end of the second capacitive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Qing DONG, Tien-Chun YANG, Yue-Der CHIH
  • Patent number: 9442506
    Abstract: A voltage reference circuit with temperature compensation includes a power supply, a first reference voltage supply, a first PMOS transistor, a second PMOS transistor, a first NMOS transistor, a second NMOS transistor, a resistor connected to the second NMOS source and ground. The voltage reference circuit also includes a second reference voltage supply, a third PMOS transistor, a fourth PMOS transistor, a third NMOS transistor, a fourth NMOS transistor, and a fifth NMOS transistor with a drain connected to the source of the fourth NMOS transistor, a source connected to the ground, and a gate connected to the first reference voltage output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Chieh Huang, Tien-Chun Yang, Steven Swei
  • Patent number: RE46336
    Abstract: Some embodiments regard a circuit comprising: a first circuit configured to lock a frequency of an output clock to a frequency of a reference clock; a second circuit configured to align an input signal to a phase clock of the output clock; a third circuit configured to use a first set of phase clocks of the output clock and a second set of phase clocks of the output clock to improve alignment of the input signal to the phase clock of the output clock; and a lock detection circuit configured to turn on the first circuit when the frequency of the output clock is not locked to the frequency of the reference clock; and to turn off the first circuit and to turn on the second circuit and the third circuit when the frequency of the output clock is locked to the frequency of the reference clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Chang Lin, Chan-Hong Chern, Steven Swei, Ming-Chieh Huang, Tien-Chun Yang
  • Patent number: RE46556
    Abstract: A regulator for regulating a charge pump is provided. The regulator includes a comparator having a first input end capable of receiving a first voltage and a second input end capable of receiving a second voltage for determining enabling or disabling the charge pump. The first voltage is associated with an output voltage of the charge pump. The second voltage is associated with an internal power voltage and a reference voltage Vref.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tien Chun Yang, Chih-Chang Lin, Ming-Chieh Huang