Patents by Inventor Wen-Ju Yang

Wen-Ju 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: 12265774
    Abstract: Boundary cells may be provided. A boundary of a first functional cell of a circuit is determined. A first plurality of a first type of dummy cells are placed along a first portion of the determined boundary. The first portion extends in a first direction. Each of the first type of dummy cells comprises first pre-defined dimensions. A second plurality of a second type of dummy cells are placed along a second portion of the determined boundary. The second portion extends in a second direction. Each of the second type of dummy cells comprises second pre-defined dimensions. The second pre-defined dimensions is different than the first pre-defined dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Jung Chang, Min-Yuan Tsai, Wen-Ju Yang
  • Patent number: 12236180
    Abstract: A system for manufacturing an integrated circuit includes a non-transitory computer readable medium configured to store executable instructions, and a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer readable medium. The processor is configured to execute the executable instructions for placing a set of gate layout patterns on a first layout level, and generating a cut feature layout pattern extending in the first direction. The set of gate layout patterns correspond to fabricating a set of gate structures of the integrated circuit. The cut feature layout pattern is on the first layout level, and overlap each of the layout patterns of the set of gate layout patterns at a same position in the second direction. The cut feature layout pattern identifies a location of a removed portion of a gate structure of the set of gate structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Jung Chang, Chin-Chang Hsu, Hsien-Hsin Sean Lee, Wen-Ju Yang
  • Publication number: 20250054857
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) device includes an interlayer dielectric (ILD), first and second tower structures embedded in the ILD, and first and second ring regions including portions of the ILD that correspondingly extend around the first and second tower structures. Each of the first and second tower structures includes a plurality of conductive patterns in a plurality of metal layers, and a plurality of vias between the plurality of metal layers along a thickness direction of the IC device. The plurality of conductive patterns and the plurality of vias are coupled to each other to form the corresponding first or second tower structure. The first ring region extends around the first tower structure, without extending around the second tower structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2024
    Publication date: February 13, 2025
    Inventors: Yu-Jung CHANG, Nien-Yu TSAI, Min-Yuan TSAI, Wen-Ju YANG
  • Patent number: 12223251
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first cell. The first cell includes a first functional feature, a first sensitivity region, at least one anchor node, wherein each of the at least one anchor node is different from the first functional feature, and a number of anchor nodes of the at least one anchor node linked to the first functional feature is based on a position of the first functional feature relative to the first sensitivity region. The semiconductor device further includes a second cell abutting the first cell. The second cell includes a second functional feature, wherein the second functional feature satisfies a minimum spacing requirement with respect to the first functional feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Nien-Yu Tsai, Chin-Chang Hsu, Wen-Ju Yang, Hsien-Hsin Sean Lee
  • Patent number: 12165969
    Abstract: An IC device includes an interlayer dielectric (ILD), a first tower structure embedded in the ILD, and a first ring region including a portion of the ILD that extends around the first tower structure. The first tower structure includes a plurality of first conductive patterns in a plurality of metal layers, and a plurality of first vias between the plurality of metal layers along a thickness direction of the IC device. The plurality of first conductive patterns and the plurality of first vias are coupled to each other to form the first tower structure. The plurality of first conductive patterns is confined by the first ring region, without extending beyond the first ring region. The first tower structure is a dummy tower structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Jung Chang, Nien-Yu Tsai, Min-Yuan Tsai, Wen-Ju Yang
  • Publication number: 20240256751
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first cell. The first cell includes a first functional feature, a first sensitivity region, at least one anchor node, wherein each of the at least one anchor node is different from the first functional feature, and a number of anchor nodes of the at least one anchor node linked to the first functional feature is based on a position of the first functional feature relative to the first sensitivity region. The semiconductor device further includes a second cell abutting the first cell. The second cell includes a second functional feature, wherein the second functional feature satisfies a minimum spacing requirement with respect to the first functional feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Nien-Yu TSAI, Chin-Chang HSU, Wen-Ju YANG, Hsien-Hsin Sean LEE
  • Publication number: 20240152679
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are described herein for integrated circuit (IC) layout validation. A plurality of IC patterns are collected which include a first set of patterns capable of being manufactured and a second set of patterns incapable of being manufactured. A machine learning model is trained using the plurality of IC patterns. The machine learning model generates a prediction model for validating IC layouts. The prediction model receives data including a set of test patterns comprising scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of IC patterns. Design violations associated with an IC layout are determined based on the SEM images and the plurality of IC patterns. A summary of the design violations is provided for further characterization of the IC layout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2024
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Rachid Salik, Chin-Chang Hsu, Cheng-Chi Wu, Chien-Wen Chen, Wen-Ju Yang
  • Patent number: 11914941
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are described herein for integrated circuit (IC) layout validation. A plurality of IC patterns are collected which include a first set of patterns capable of being manufactured and a second set of patterns incapable of being manufactured. A machine learning model is trained using the plurality of IC patterns. The machine learning model generates a prediction model for validating IC layouts. The prediction model receives data including a set of test patterns comprising scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of IC patterns. Design violations associated with an IC layout are determined based on the SEM images and the plurality of IC patterns. A summary of the design violations is provided for further characterization of the IC layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Rachid Salik, Chin-Chang Hsu, Cheng-Chi Wu, Chien-Wen Chen, Wen-Ju Yang
  • Publication number: 20230385511
    Abstract: A system for manufacturing an integrated circuit includes a non-transitory computer readable medium configured to store executable instructions, and a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer readable medium. The processor is configured to execute the executable instructions for placing a set of gate layout patterns on a first layout level, and generating a cut feature layout pattern extending in the first direction. The set of gate layout patterns correspond to fabricating a set of gate structures of the integrated circuit. The cut feature layout pattern is on the first layout level, and overlap each of the layout patterns of the set of gate layout patterns at a same position in the second direction. The cut feature layout pattern identifies a location of a removed portion of a gate structure of the set of gate structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Yu-Jung CHANG, Chin-Chang HSU, Hsien-Hsin Sean LEE, Wen-Ju YANG
  • Publication number: 20230315968
    Abstract: Boundary cells may be provided. A boundary of a first functional cell of a circuit is determined. A first plurality of a first type of dummy cells are placed along a first portion of the determined boundary. The first portion extends in a first direction. Each of the first type of dummy cells comprises first pre-defined dimensions. A second plurality of a second type of dummy cells are placed along a second portion of the determined boundary. The second portion extends in a second direction. Each of the second type of dummy cells comprises second pre-defined dimensions. The second pre-defined dimensions is different than the first pre-defined dimensions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Yu-Jung Chang, Min-Yuan Tsai, Wen-Ju Yang
  • Patent number: 11775724
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first and second set of gate structures. A center of each of the first set of gate structures is separated from a center of an adjacent gate of the first set of gate structures in a first direction by a first pitch. A center of each of the second set of gate structures is separated from a center of an adjacent gate of the second set of gate structures in the first direction by the first pitch. The first and second set of gate structures extend in a second direction. A gate of the first set of gate structures is aligned in the second direction with a corresponding gate of the second set of gate structures. The gate of the first set of gate structures is separated from the corresponding gate of second set of gate structures in the second direction by a first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Jung Chang, Chin-Chang Hsu, Hsien-Hsin Sean Lee, Wen-Ju Yang
  • Patent number: 11714946
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first cell. The first cell includes a first functional feature, a first sensitivity region, at least one anchor node, wherein each of the at least one anchor node is different from the first functional feature, and a number of anchor nodes of the at least one anchor node linked to the first functional feature is based on a position of the first functional feature relative to the first sensitivity region. The semiconductor device further includes a second cell abutting the first cell. The second cell includes a second functional feature, wherein the second functional feature satisfies a minimum spacing requirement with respect to the first functional feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Nien-Yu Tsai, Chin-Chang Hsu, Wen-Ju Yang, Hsien-Hsin Sean Lee
  • Patent number: 11709986
    Abstract: Boundary cells may be provided. A boundary of a first functional cell of a circuit is determined. A first plurality of a first type of dummy cells are placed along a first portion of the determined boundary. The first portion extends in a first direction. Each of the first type of dummy cells comprises first pre-defined dimensions. A second plurality of a second type of dummy cells are placed along a second portion of the determined boundary. The second portion extends in a second direction. Each of the second type of dummy cells comprises second pre-defined dimensions. The second pre-defined dimensions is different than the first pre-defined dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Jung Chang, Min-Yuan Tsai, Wen-Ju Yang
  • Publication number: 20220399269
    Abstract: An IC device includes an interlayer dielectric (ILD), a first tower structure embedded in the ILD, and a first ring region including a portion of the ILD that extends around the first tower structure. The first tower structure includes a plurality of first conductive patterns in a plurality of metal layers, and a plurality of first vias between the plurality of metal layers along a thickness direction of the IC device. The plurality of first conductive patterns and the plurality of first vias are coupled to each other to form the first tower structure. The plurality of first conductive patterns is confined by the first ring region, without extending beyond the first ring region. The first tower structure is a dummy tower structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Yu-Jung CHANG, Nien-Yu TSAI, Min-Yuan TSAI, Wen-Ju YANG
  • Publication number: 20220027545
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first and second set of gate structures. A center of each of the first set of gate structures is separated from a center of an adjacent gate of the first set of gate structures in a first direction by a first pitch. A center of each of the second set of gate structures is separated from a center of an adjacent gate of the second set of gate structures in the first direction by the first pitch. The first and second set of gate structures extend in a second direction. A gate of the first set of gate structures is aligned in the second direction with a corresponding gate of the second set of gate structures. The gate of the first set of gate structures is separated from the corresponding gate of second set of gate structures in the second direction by a first distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Yu-Jung CHANG, Chin-Chang HSU, Hsien-Hsin Sean LEE, Wen-Ju YANG
  • Publication number: 20210365623
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first cell. The first cell includes a first functional feature, a first sensitivity region, at least one anchor node, wherein each of the at least one anchor node is different from the first functional feature, and a number of anchor nodes of the at least one anchor node linked to the first functional feature is based on a position of the first functional feature relative to the first sensitivity region. The semiconductor device further includes a second cell abutting the first cell. The second cell includes a second functional feature, wherein the second functional feature satisfies a minimum spacing requirement with respect to the first functional feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Nien-Yu TSAI, Chin-Chang HSU, Wen-Ju YANG, Hsien-Hsin Sean LEE
  • Publication number: 20210342513
    Abstract: Boundary cells may be provided. A boundary of a first functional cell of a circuit is determined. A first plurality of a first type of dummy cells are placed along a first portion of the determined boundary. The first portion extends in a first direction. Each of the first type of dummy cells comprises first pre-defined dimensions. A second plurality of a second type of dummy cells are placed along a second portion of the determined boundary. The second portion extends in a second direction. Each of the second type of dummy cells comprises second pre-defined dimensions. The second pre-defined dimensions is different than the first pre-defined dimensions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Yu-Jung Chang, Min-Yuan Tsai, Wen-Ju Yang
  • Patent number: 11138361
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first and second set of gate structures. A center of each of the first set of gate structures is separated from a center of an adjacent gate of the first set of gate structures in a first direction by a first pitch. A center of each of the second set of gate structures is separated from a center of an adjacent gate of the second set of gate structures in the first direction by the first pitch. The first and second set of gate structures extend in a second direction. A gate of the first set of gate structures is aligned in the second direction with a corresponding gate of the second set of gate structures. The gate of the first set of gate structures is separated from the corresponding gate of second set of gate structures in the second direction by a first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Jung Chang, Chin-Chang Hsu, Hsien-Hsin Sean Lee, Wen-Ju Yang
  • Patent number: 11106852
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first cell. The first cell includes a first functional feature, a first sensitivity region, at least one anchor node, wherein each of the at least one anchor node is different from the first functional feature, and a number of anchor nodes of the at least one anchor node linked to the first functional feature is based on a position of the first functional feature relative to the first sensitivity region. The semiconductor device further includes a second cell abutting the first cell. The second cell includes a second functional feature, wherein the second functional feature satisfies a minimum spacing requirement with respect to the first functional feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Nien-Yu Tsai, Chin-Chang Hsu, Hsien-Hsin Sean Lee, Wen-Ju Yang
  • Publication number: 20210240906
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are described herein for integrated circuit (IC) layout validation. A plurality of IC patterns are collected which include a first set of patterns capable of being manufactured and a second set of patterns incapable of being manufactured. A machine learning model is trained using the plurality of IC patterns. The machine learning model generates a prediction model for validating IC layouts. The prediction model receives data including a set of test patterns comprising scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of IC patterns. Design violations associated with an IC layout are determined based on the SEM images and the plurality of IC patterns. A summary of the design violations is provided for further characterization of the IC layout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Rachid Salik, Chin-Chang Hsu, Cheng-Chi Wu, Chien-Wen Chen, Wen-Ju Yang