Patents by Inventor Tzu-Heng Chang

Tzu-Heng Chang 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: 20200381419
    Abstract: A method of making an electrostatic discharge (ESD) testing structure includes forming, in a first die, a first measurement device. The method further includes forming, in a second die, a fuse, a first trim pad, and a second trim pad. The method further includes forming, between the first die and the second die, a plurality of electrical bonds, wherein a first bond of the plurality of bonds is electrically connected to the first trim pad and a first side of the fuse, and a second bond of the plurality of bonds is electrically connected to the second trim pad and a second side of the fuse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Tzu-Heng CHANG, Jen-Chou TSENG, Ming-Hsiang SONG
  • Publication number: 20200365579
    Abstract: A device includes first and second standard cells in a layout of an integrated circuit, and first and second active regions. The first standard cell includes an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection unit, and the second standard cell includes first and second transistors that connect to the ESD protection unit. The first active region includes first, second, and third source/drain regions. The first standard cell includes a first gate arranged across the first active region; and a second gate that is separated from the first gate and is arranged across the first active region and the second active region. The first gate, the first source/drain region and the second source/drain region together correspond to a third transistor of the ESD protection unit. The second gate, the second source/drain region and the third source/drain region together correspond to the first transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tzu-Heng CHANG, Kuo-Ji CHEN, Ming-Hsiang SONG
  • Publication number: 20200365580
    Abstract: A device includes standard cells in a layout of an integrated circuit, the standard cells includes first and second standard cells sharing a first active region and a second active region. The first standard cell includes first and second gates. The first gate includes a first gate finger and a second gate finger that are arranged over the first active region, for forming the first transistor and the second transistor. The second gate is separate from the first gate, the second gate includes a third gate finger and a fourth gate finger that are arranged over the second active region, for forming the third transistor and the fourth transistor. The second standard cell includes a third gate arranged over the first active region and the second active region, for forming the fifth transistor and the sixth transistor. The first to fourth transistors operate as an electrostatic discharge protection circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tzu-Heng CHANG, Kuo-Ji CHEN, Ming-Hsiang SONG
  • Patent number: 10840237
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit is coupled between first and second power supply buses. The ESD protection circuit includes a detection circuit; a pull-up circuit, coupled to the detection circuit, comprising at least a first n-type transistor; a pull-down circuit, coupled to the pull-up circuit, comprising at least a second n-type transistor; and a bypass circuit, coupled to the pull-up and pull-down circuits, wherein the detection circuit is configured to detect whether an ESD event is present on either the first or the second bus so as to cause the pull-up and pull-down circuits to selectively enable the bypass circuit for providing a discharging path between the first and second power supply buses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Fu Tsai, Tzu-Heng Chang, Yu-Ti Su, Kai-Ping Huang
  • Patent number: 10756082
    Abstract: A method of making an electrostatic discharge (ESD) testing structure includes forming, in a first die, a first measurement device. The method further includes forming, in a second die, a fuse, a first trim pad, and a second trim pad. The method further includes forming, between the first die and the second die, a plurality of electrical bonds, wherein a first bond of the plurality of bonds is electrically connected to the first trim pad and a first side of the fuse, and a second bond of the plurality of bonds is electrically connected to the second trim pad and a second side of the fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tzu-Heng Chang, Jen-Chou Tseng, Ming-Hsiang Song
  • Patent number: 10741543
    Abstract: A device includes an integrated circuit including a single standard cell that is selected from a standard cell library used for design of the layout of the integrated circuit. The single standard cell includes a first active region, a second active region, a first gate, a second gate, and a third gate. The first gate is arranged over the first active region, for formation of at least one first electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection component. The second gate is separate from the first gate, and the second gate is arranged over the second active region, for formation of at least one second ESD protection component. The third gate is separate from the first gate and the second gate, and the third gate is arranged over the first active region and the second active region, for formation of at least one transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tzu-Heng Chang, Kuo-Ji Chen, Ming-Hsiang Song
  • Publication number: 20200219868
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a semiconductor device on a substrate. An interconnect structure is disposed over the semiconductor substrate. A first conductive pad is disposed over the interconnect structure. A second conductive pad is disposed over the interconnect structure and spaced apart from the first conductive pad. A third conductive pad is disposed over the interconnect structure and spaced apart from the first and second conductive pads. A first ESD protection element is electrically coupled between the first and second conductive pads. A first device under test (DUT) is electrically coupled between the first and third conductive pads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Jen-Chou Tseng, Ming-Fu Tsai, Tzu-Heng Chang
  • Patent number: 10629588
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a semiconductor device on a substrate. An interconnect structure is disposed over the substrate, and a first conductive pad is disposed over the interconnect structure. A second conductive pad is disposed over the interconnect structure and is spaced apart from the first conductive pad. A third conductive pad is disposed over the interconnect structure and is spaced apart from the first and second conductive pads. A fourth conductive pad is disposed over the interconnect structure and is spaced apart from the first, second, and third conductive pads. A first ESD protection element is electrically coupled between the first and second pads; and a second ESD protection element is electrically coupled between the third and fourth pads. A first device under test is electrically coupled between the first and third conductive pads; and a second device under test is electrically coupled between the second and fourth pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jen-Chou Tseng, Ming-Fu Tsai, Tzu-Heng Chang
  • Publication number: 20190304967
    Abstract: A method of making an electrostatic discharge (ESD) testing structure includes forming, in a first die, a first measurement device. The method further includes forming, in a second die, a fuse, a first trim pad, and a second trim pad. The method further includes forming, between the first die and the second die, a plurality of electrical bonds, wherein a first bond of the plurality of bonds is electrically connected to the first trim pad and a first side of the fuse, and a second bond of the plurality of bonds is electrically connected to the second trim pad and a second side of the fuse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Tzu-Heng CHANG, Jen-Chou TSENG, Ming-Hsiang SONG
  • Patent number: 10325906
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) testing structure includes a measurement device in a first die. The ESD testing structure further includes a fuse in a second die. The ESD testing structure further includes a plurality of bonds electrically connecting the first die to the second die, wherein a first bond of the plurality of bonds electrically connects the fuse to the measurement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tzu-Heng Chang, Jen-Chou Tseng, Ming-Hsiang Song
  • Publication number: 20190164952
    Abstract: A device includes an integrated circuit including a single standard cell that is selected from a standard cell library used for design of the layout of the integrated circuit. The single standard cell includes a first active region, a second active region, a first gate, a second gate, and a third gate. The first gate is arranged over the first active region, for formation of at least one first electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection component. The second gate is separate from the first gate, and the second gate is arranged over the second active region, for formation of at least one second ESD protection component. The third gate is separate from the first gate and the second gate, and the third gate is arranged over the first active region and the second active region, for formation of at least one transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tzu-Heng CHANG, Kuo-Ji CHEN, Ming-Hsiang SONG
  • Patent number: 10284190
    Abstract: A voltage detector includes a first node configured to have a first supply voltage, a second node configured to have a second supply voltage, and an output node. The voltage detector is configured to drive the output node to the first supply voltage in response to a difference between the first supply voltage and the second supply voltage exceeding a predetermined threshold voltage value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Fu Tsai, Jen-Chou Tseng, Kuo-Ji Chen, Tzu-Heng Chang
  • Publication number: 20190123001
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an interposer and a plurality of dies stacked on the interposer. The interposer includes a first conductive network of a first trigger bus. Each of the plurality of dies includes a second conductive network of a second trigger bus, and an ESD detection circuit and an ESD power clamp electrically connected between a first power line and a second power line, and electrically connected to the second conductive network of the second trigger bus. The second conductive network of the second trigger bus in each of the plurality of dies is electrically connected to the first conductive network of the first trigger bus. Upon receiving an input signal, the ESD detection circuit is configured to generate an output signal to the corresponding second conductive network of the second trigger bus to control the ESD power clamps in each of the plurality of dies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Jen-Chou Tseng, Tzu-Heng Chang
  • Publication number: 20190109129
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a semiconductor device on a substrate. An interconnect structure is disposed over the substrate, and a first conductive pad is disposed over the interconnect structure. A second conductive pad is disposed over the interconnect structure and is spaced apart from the first conductive pad. A third conductive pad is disposed over the interconnect structure and is spaced apart from the first and second conductive pads. A fourth conductive pad is disposed over the interconnect structure and is spaced apart from the first, second, and third conductive pads. A first ESD protection element is electrically coupled between the first and second pads; and a second ESD protection element is electrically coupled between the third and fourth pads. A first device under test is electrically coupled between the first and third conductive pads; and a second device under test is electrically coupled between the second and fourth pads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Jen-Chou Tseng, Ming-Fu Tsai, Tzu-Heng Chang
  • Patent number: 10170461
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a semiconductor device on a substrate. An interconnect structure is disposed over the substrate, and a first conductive pad is disposed over the interconnect structure. A second conductive pad is disposed over the interconnect structure and is spaced apart from the first conductive pad. A third conductive pad is disposed over the interconnect structure and is spaced apart from the first and second conductive pads. A fourth conductive pad is disposed over the interconnect structure and is spaced apart from the first, second, and third conductive pads. A first ESD protection element is electrically coupled between the first and second pads; and a second ESD protection element is electrically coupled between the third and fourth pads. A first device under test is electrically coupled between the first and third conductive pads; and a second device under test is electrically coupled between the second and fourth pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jen-Chou Tseng, Ming-Fu Tsai, Tzu-Heng Chang
  • Publication number: 20180374839
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit is coupled between first and second power supply buses. The ESD protection circuit includes a detection circuit; a pull-up circuit, coupled to the detection circuit, comprising at least a first n-type transistor; a pull-down circuit, coupled to the pull-up circuit, comprising at least a second n-type transistor; and a bypass circuit, coupled to the pull-up and pull-down circuits, wherein the detection circuit is configured to detect whether an ESD event is present on either the first or the second bus so as to cause the pull-up and pull-down circuits to selectively enable the bypass circuit for providing a discharging path between the first and second power supply buses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Ming-Fu TSAI, Tzu-Heng CHANG, Yu-Ti SU, Kai-Ping HUANG
  • Patent number: 10163823
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an interposer and a plurality of dies stacked on the interposer. The interposer includes a first conductive network of a first trigger bus. Each of the plurality of dies includes a second conductive network of a second trigger bus, and an ESD detection circuit and an ESD power clamp electrically connected between a first power line and a second power line, and electrically connected to the second conductive network of the second trigger bus. The second conductive network of the second trigger bus in each of the plurality of dies is electrically connected to the first conductive network of the first trigger bus. Upon receiving an input signal, the ESD detection circuit is configured to generate an output signal to the corresponding second conductive network of the second trigger bus to control the ESD power clamps in each of the plurality of dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jen-Chou Tseng, Tzu-Heng Chang
  • Patent number: 9979186
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a three dimensional integrated circuit having a plurality of dies. Each die includes a trigger line common to the other dies, and an ESD detection circuit coupled to the common trigger line and to a first power line common to the other dies, wherein when the ESD detection circuit of one of the plural dies detects an ESD event, the ESD detection circuit is configured to generate a control signal to the common trigger line to control a power clamp in each of the plural dies to clamp an ESD event to the common first power line or a second power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tzu-Heng Chang, Jen-Chou Tseng, Ming-Hsiang Song
  • Publication number: 20180088163
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) testing structure includes a measurement device in a first die. The ESD testing structure further includes a fuse in a second die. The ESD testing structure further includes a plurality of bonds electrically connecting the first die to the second die, wherein a first bond of the plurality of bonds electrically connects the fuse to the measurement device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Tzu-Heng CHANG, Jen-Chou TSENG, Ming-Hsiang SONG
  • Patent number: 9842833
    Abstract: A chip includes a first die, a second die, a first and a second through-silicon vias, a first protection circuit, and a second protection circuit. The first die has a first operational voltage node and a first reference voltage node. The second die has a second operational voltage node and a second reference voltage node. The first and the second through-silicon vias are configured to couple the first die and the second die. The first protection circuit is coupled between the first operational voltage node and the first through-silicon via. The second protection circuit is coupled between the first reference voltage node and the second through-silicon via. The first through-silicon via is further coupled to the second reference voltage node or the second operational voltage node. The second through-silicon via is further coupled to the first reference voltage node or the first operational voltage node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Jen-Chou Tseng, Tzu-Heng Chang, Ming-Hsiang Song