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).

  • Publication number: 20140103967
    Abstract: A method of making a level shifter includes coupling a driver stage between an input end and an output end, the driver stage comprising a first transistor and a second transistor. An inverter having an input is coupled with the input end. A third transistor having a gate end is coupled with an output of the inverter, the third transistor having a terminal coupled to a pumped voltage (VPP). Additionally, the method includes coupling a fourth transistor with the output end, the fourth transistor having a terminal coupled to the pumped voltage. A fifth transistor is coupled with the input end, the fifth transistor having a terminal coupled to the third and fourth transistors. A sixth transistor is coupled with the input end, the sixth transistor having a terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tien Chun YANG, Yuwen SWEI, Chih-Chang LIN, Chiang PU
  • Patent number: 8670282
    Abstract: A memory circuit includes a group of memory arrays and at least one redundancy bit line. The group of memory arrays includes a first memory array coupled with a first input/output (IO) interface and a second memory array coupled with a second IO interface. The at least one redundancy bit line is configured to selectively repair the group of memory arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tien-Chun Yang, Yue-Der Chih, Shang-Hsuan Liu
  • Publication number: 20140035553
    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: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Chieh HUANG, Tien-Chun YANG, Steven SWEI
  • Patent number: 8629704
    Abstract: A level shifter includes an input end being capable of receiving an input voltage signal. The input voltage signal includes a first state transition from a first voltage state to a second voltage state. An output end can output an output voltage signal having a second state transition from a third voltage state to the second voltage state corresponding to the first state transition of the input voltage signal. A driver stage is coupled between the input end and the output end. The driver stage includes a first transistor and a second transistor. Substantially immediately from a time corresponding to about a mean of voltage levels of the first voltage state and the second voltage state, the second voltage state is substantially free from being applied to a gate of the first transistor so as to substantially turn off the first transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tien Chun Yang, Yuwen Swei, Chih-Chang Lin, Chiang Pu
  • Publication number: 20140003141
    Abstract: A device comprises an address storage device. A first circuit includes a first flash memory, configured to sequentially receive first and second addresses and store the first address in the address storage device. The first circuit has a first set of control inputs for causing the first circuit to perform a first operation from the group consisting of read, program and erase on a cell of the first flash memory corresponding to a selected one of the first and second addresses. A second circuit includes a second flash memory, configured to receive the second address. The second circuit has a second set of control inputs for causing the second circuit to read data from a cell of the second flash memory corresponding to the second address while the first operation is being performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tien-Chun YANG, Chia-Fu LEE, Yue-Der CHIH
  • Patent number: 8575966
    Abstract: A method of operating a charge pump of a phase-lock assistant circuit includes determining a first relative timing relationship of a phase of a data signal to a phase of a first phase clock. A second relative timing relationship of the phase of the data signal to a phase of a second phase clock is determined, and the first and second phase clocks have a 45° phase difference. An up signal and a down signal are generated in response to the first relative timing relationship and the second relative timing relationship. The charge pump circuit is driven according to the up signal and the down signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Chang Lin, Chan-Hong Chern, Steven Swei, Ming-Chieh Huang, Tien-Chun Yang
  • Patent number: 8575998
    Abstract: A voltage reference circuit with temperature compensation includes a power supply, a reference voltage supply, a first PMOS transistor with its source connected to the power supply voltage, a second PMOS transistor with its source connected to the power supply and its gate and drain connected to the first PMOS gate, a first NMOS transistor with its gate and drain connected the first PMOS drain, a second NMOS transistor with its drain connected to the second PMOS drain and its gate connected with the first NMOS gate to the reference voltage supply, a resistor connected to the second NMOS source and ground, and an op-amp with its inverting input and its output connected the first NMOS source and its non-inverting input connected to the ground. In another aspect, a voltage reference circuit output is coupled to an NMOS gate in saturation mode connected to another voltage reference circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Chieh Huang, Tien-Chun Yang, Steven Swei
  • Patent number: 8565023
    Abstract: A device comprises an address storage device. A first circuit includes a first flash memory, configured to sequentially receive first and second addresses and store the first address in the address storage device. The first circuit has a first set of control inputs for causing the first circuit to perform a first operation from the group consisting of read, program and erase on a cell of the first flash memory corresponding to a selected one of the first and second addresses. A second circuit includes a second flash memory, configured to receive the second address. The second circuit has a second set of control inputs for causing the second circuit to read data from a cell of the second flash memory corresponding to the second address while the first operation is being performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tien-Chun Yang, Chia-Fu Lee, Yue-Der Chih
  • Patent number: 8456942
    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: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tien-Chun Yang, Chih-Chang Lin, Ming-Chieh Huang
  • Publication number: 20130106475
    Abstract: A method of operating a charge pump of a phase-lock assistant circuit includes determining a first relative timing relationship of a phase of a data signal to a phase of a first phase clock. A second relative timing relationship of the phase of the data signal to a phase of a second phase clock is determined, and the first and second phase clocks have a 45° phase difference. An up signal and a down signal are generated in response to the first relative timing relationship and the second relative timing relationship. The charge pump circuit is driven according to the up signal and the down signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Chih-Chang LIN, Chan-Hong CHERN, Steven SWEI, Ming-Chieh HUANG, Tien-Chun YANG
  • Patent number: 8427229
    Abstract: Integrated circuits such as memory arrays are coupled to a bi-directional charge pump that includes an input circuit and output circuit, and one or more pump stages coupled between the input circuit and the output circuit of the bi-directional charge pump. The output circuit includes a diode having an input and output and a transistor connected to the output of the diode and a ground potential. The input of the diode is electrically connected to the pump stages in a configuration that allows the charge pump to apply a positive or negative voltage to the memory array or other load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yvonne Lin, Tien-Chun Yang
  • Patent number: 8354862
    Abstract: A circuit including a first circuit configured to receive an input signal and first, third and fifth phase clocks of a clock, and generate a first early signal indicating the clock is earlier than the input signal and a first late signal indicating the clock is later than the input signal. The circuit further includes a second circuit configured to receive an input signal and second, a fourth and sixth phase clocks of the clock, and generate a second early signal indicating the clock is earlier than the input signal and a second late signal indicating the clock is later than the input signal. The circuit further includes a third circuit configured to generate a first increase signal. The circuit further includes a fourth circuit configured to generate a first decrease signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Chang Lin, Chan-Hong Chern, Steven Swei, Ming-Chieh Huang, Tien-Chun Yang
  • Patent number: 8324960
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first PMOS transistor, where its drain is arranged to be coupled to a voltage output, and its source is coupled to the drain of a second PMOS transistor. The source of the second PMOS transistor is arranged to be coupled to a high power supply voltage. The source and drain of a MOS capacitor are coupled to the source of the first PMOS transistor. The drain of an NMOS transistor is coupled to the drain of the first PMOS transistor. The integrated circuit is configured to receive a voltage input to generate the voltage output having a maximum voltage higher than the voltage input. The gate oxide layer thickness of the MOS capacitor is less than that of the first PMOS transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Chieh Huang, Chan-Hong Chern, Chih-Chang Lin, Tien-Chun Yang, Yuwen Swei
  • Publication number: 20120275249
    Abstract: A memory circuit includes a group of memory arrays and at least one redundancy bit line. The group of memory arrays includes a first memory array coupled with a first input/output (IO) interface and a second memory array coupled with a second IO interface. The at least one redundancy bit line is configured to selectively repair the group of memory arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tien-Chun YANG, Yue-Der CHIH, Shang-Hsuan LIU
  • Publication number: 20120268196
    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: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tien Chun YANG, Chih-Chang LIN, Ming-Chieh HUANG
  • Publication number: 20120223766
    Abstract: Integrated circuits such as memory arrays are coupled to a bi-directional charge pump that includes an input circuit and output circuit, and one or more pump stages coupled between the input circuit and the output circuit of the bi-directional charge pump. The output circuit includes a diode having an input and output and a transistor connected to the output of the diode and a ground potential. The input of the diode is electrically connected to the pump stages in a configuration that allows the charge pump to apply a positive or negative voltage to the memory array or other load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yvonne LIN, Tien-Chun YANG
  • Publication number: 20120200323
    Abstract: A circuit including a first circuit configured to receive an input signal and first, third and fifth phase clocks of a clock, and generate a first early signal indicating the clock is earlier than the input signal and a first late signal indicating the clock is later than the input signal. The circuit further includes a second circuit configured to receive an input signal and second, a fourth and sixth phase clocks of the clock, and generate a second early signal indicating the clock is earlier than the input signal and a second late signal indicating the clock is later than the input signal. The circuit further includes a third circuit configured to generate a first increase signal. The circuit further includes a fourth circuit configured to generate a first decrease signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Chang LIN, Chan-Hong CHERN, Steven SWEI, Ming-Chieh HUANG, Tien-Chun YANG
  • Publication number: 20120201084
    Abstract: A FLASH memory cell includes a control gate over a floating gate over a substrate. A wall line and an erase gate each is disposed adjacent to a respective sidewall of the control gate. A first source/drain (S/D) region is disposed in the substrate and adjacent to a sidewall of the wall line. A second S/D region is disposed in the substrate and adjacent to the sidewall of the floating gate. A method of operating the FLASH memory cell includes applying a first voltage level to the control gate. A second voltage level is applied to the word line. The second voltage level is lower than the first voltage level. A third voltage level is applied to the first S/D region. A fourth voltage level is applied to the second S/D region. The fourth voltage level is higher than the third voltage level. The erase gate is electrically floating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yvonne LIN, Tien-Chun YANG
  • Patent number: 8238178
    Abstract: A memory circuit includes a first group of memory arrays including a first memory array coupled with a first input/output (IO) interface and a second memory array coupled with a second IO interface. A second group of memory arrays include a third memory array coupled with a third IO interface and a fourth memory array coupled with a fourth TO interface. A plurality of redundancy bit lines include at least one first redundancy bit line that is configured for selectively repairing the first group of memory arrays, and at least one second redundancy bit line that is configured for selectively repairing the second group of memory arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tien-Chun Yang, Yue-Der Chih, Shang-Hsuan Liu
  • Publication number: 20120194263
    Abstract: A charge pump has at least one charge pump stage. Each charge pump stage includes at least one NMOS device. The at least one NMOS device has a deep N-well (DNW), and is coupled to at least one capacitor, an input node, and an output node. The input node is arranged to receive an input signal. The at least one capacitor is arranged to store electrical charges. The charge pump stage is configured to supply the electrical charges to the output node, and the DNW is arranged to float for a positive pump operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yvonne LIN, Tien-Chun YANG