Abstract: A device includes a first cell active area asymmetrically positioned in a first device column between a first barrier line and a second barrier line, a second cell active area asymmetrically positioned in a second device column between the first barrier line and a third barrier line, where the first cell has a first cell length in a first direction perpendicular to the first barrier line which is three times a second cell length in the first direction. The first cell active area and the second cell active area are a first distance from the first barrier line, and the first cell active area is a second distance from the second barrier line, and the second cell active area is the second distance away from the third barrier line.

Abstract: In an integrated circuit, the gates of a first high-threshold transistor and a first low-threshold transistor are connected together, and the gates of a second high-threshold transistor and a second low-threshold transistor are connected together. The drain of the first high-threshold transistor is conductively connected to the source of the first low-threshold transistor, and the drain of the second high-threshold transistor is conductively connected to the source of the second low-threshold transistor. The gates of the first low-threshold transistor and the second low-threshold transistor are conductively connected to the drain of the first low-threshold transistor. The threshold-voltage of the first high-threshold transistor is larger than a threshold-voltage of the first low-threshold transistor. The threshold-voltage of the second high-threshold transistor is larger than a threshold-voltage of the second low-threshold transistor.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for automatically generating sub-cells for a non-final layout of an analog integrated circuit. Device specifications and partition information for the analog integrated circuit is received. Based on the device specifications and the partition information, first cut locations for a first set of cuts to be made along a first direction of a non-final layout of the analog integrated circuit and second cut locations for a second set of cuts to be made along a second direction in the non-final layout are determined. The first set of cuts are made in the non-final layout at the cut locations to produce a temporary layout. The second set of cuts are made in the temporary layout at the cut locations to produce a plurality of sub-cells.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an edge active cell, an inner active cell and a middle active cell. The edge active cell is located near an edge of the semiconductor device. The edge active cell includes a plurality of fingers. The inner active cell is adjacent to the edge active cell toward a central portion of the semiconductor device. The inner active cell includes a plurality of fingers and at least one of the plurality of fingers of the edge active cell is electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of fingers of the inner active cell. The middle active cell is located near the central portion of the semiconductor device. The middle active cell includes a plurality of fingers and each of the fingers of the middle active cell is electrically connected to each other.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of active area structures. One or more active devices include portions of the plurality of active area structures. A metal layer is formed on the plurality of active area structures and separated from the one or more active devices by one or more dummy gate layers. The metal layer is configured to measure, due to a change of resistance in the metal layer, a temperature of the plurality of active area structures.

Abstract: Techniques for generating one or more non-final layouts for an analog integrated circuit are disclosed. The techniques include generating a non-final layout of an analog integrated circuit based on device specifications, partitioning the non-final layout into a plurality of subcells, merging the verified sub-cells to form a merged layout of the analog integrated circuit, and performing quality control checks on the merged layout. Additionally or alternatively, generating the non-final layout can include determining an allowable spacing between adjacent cells of different cell types or inserting one or more filler cells into a filler zone in the non-final layout.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a hysteresis block configured to generate an output voltage at corresponding disabling enabling voltage levels and a core-voltage-gated (CVG) device configured to receive a core voltage, an input terminal of the hysteresis block is coupled to a control node. The CVG device is configured to alter a control voltage at the control node so as to cause the output voltage of the hysteresis block to be generated in response to the core voltage either at the disabling voltage level or at the enabling voltage level.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: first and second active regions (ARs) included correspondingly in abutting first and second analog cell regions, a region where the first and second analog cell regions abut (analog-cell-boundary (ACB) region) extending from about a top boundary of the first AR to about a bottom boundary of the second AR; via-to-PGBM_1st-segment contact structures (VBs) correspondingly being under the first or second ARs, a long axis of each VB and a short axis of each of the first and second ARs having about a same length; and a PG segment in a first buried metallization layer (PGBM_1st segment) under the VBs, the PGBM_1st segment underlapping a majority of each of the VBs, and a Y-midline of the PGBM_1st segment being at or proximal to where the first and second analog cell regions abut and thus being at or proximal to a middle of the ACB region.

Abstract: A device includes a first cell active area asymmetrically positioned in a first device column between a first barrier line and a second barrier line, a second cell active area asymmetrically positioned in a second device column between the first barrier line and a third barrier line, where the first cell has a first cell length in a first direction perpendicular to the first barrier line which is three times a second cell length in the first direction. The first cell active area and the second cell active area are a first distance from the first barrier line, and the first cell active area is a second distance from the second barrier line, and the second cell active area is the second distance away from the third barrier line.

Abstract: A method of generating an IC layout diagram includes positioning a resistor unit cell in the IC layout diagram, a resistor of the resistor unit cell including a source/drain metal region, positioning a MOS unit cell in the IC layout diagram, overlapping the resistor unit cell with a first via region, overlapping the MOS unit cell with a second via region, overlapping the first and second via regions with a continuous conductive region, and storing the IC layout diagram in a storage device.

Abstract: A semiconductor cell structure includes a first complementary metal oxide silicon (CMOS) a second CMOS, a first conducting element, and a second conducting element. The first and second CMOSs are disposed on the substrate and a reference voltage is provided to the first CMOS and the second CMOS respectively through the first conducting element and the second conducting element. A product of a width of the first conducting element multiplied by a channel length of the first CMOS is positively related to a product of a width of the second conducting element multiplied by a channel length of the second CMOS.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for automatically generating sub-cells for a non-final layout of an analog integrated circuit. Device specifications and partition information for the analog integrated circuit is received. Based on the device specifications and the partition information, first cut locations for a first set of cuts to be made along a first direction of a non-final layout of the analog integrated circuit and second cut locations for a second set of cuts to be made along a second direction in the non-final layout are determined. The first set of cuts are made in the non-final layout at the cut locations to produce a temporary layout. The second set of cuts are made in the temporary layout at the cut locations to produce a plurality of sub-cells.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed herein for developing a cell design. Operations of a plurality of electrical cells are simulated to collect a plurality of electrical parameters. A machine learning model is trained using the plurality of electrical parameters. The trained machine learning model receives data having cell layout design constraints. The trained machine learning model determines a cell layout for the received data based on the plurality of electrical parameters. The cell layout is provided for further characterization of electrical performance within the cell layout design constraints.

Abstract: Techniques for generating one or more non-final layouts for an analog integrated circuit are disclosed. The techniques include generating a non-final layout of an analog integrated circuit based on device specifications, partitioning the non-final layout into a plurality of sub-cells, merging the verified sub-cells to form a merged layout of the analog integrated circuit, and performing quality control checks on the merged layout. Additionally or alternatively, generating the non-final layout can include determining an allowable spacing between adjacent cells of different cell types or inserting one or more filler cells into a filler zone in the non-final layout.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of transistors, a plurality of metal layers, and a resistor. The plurality of transistors are connected in series between a power terminal and a ground terminal, and gate terminals of the transistors being connected together. The plurality of metal layers are overlaid above the plurality of transistors. The resistor is implemented between two of the plurality of metal layers.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a hysteresis block configured to generate an output voltage at corresponding disabling enabling voltage levels and a core-voltage-gated (CVG) device configured to receive a core voltage, an input terminal of the hysteresis block is coupled to a control node. The CVG device is configured to alter a control voltage at the control node so as to cause the output voltage of the hysteresis block to be generated at the disabling voltage level in response to the core voltage being at or below a first trigger level. Additionally, the CVG device is configured to alter the control voltage at the control node so as to cause the output voltage of the hysteresis block to be generated at the enabling voltage level in response to the core voltage being at or above a second trigger level, the second trigger level being above the first trigger level.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed herein for developing a cell design. Operations of a plurality of electrical cells are simulated to collect a plurality of electrical parameters. A machine learning model is trained using the plurality of electrical parameters. The trained machine learning model receives data having cell layout design constraints. The trained machine learning model determines a cell layout for the received data based on the plurality of electrical parameters. The cell layout is provided for further characterization of electrical performance within the cell layout design constraints.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes transistors and a resistor. The transistors are connected in series between a power terminal and a ground terminal, and gate terminals of the transistors being connected together. The resistor is overlaid above the transistors. The resistor is connected between a source terminal of the transistors and the ground terminal.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming M_1st segments in a first metallization layer including: forming first and second M_1st segments for which corresponding long axes extend in a first direction and are substantially collinear, the first and second M_1st segments being free from another instance of M_1st segment being between the first and second M_1st segments; and (A) where the first and second M_1st segments are designated for corresponding voltage values having a difference equal to or less than a reference value, separating the first and second M_1st segments by a first gap; or (B) where the first and second M_1st segments are designated for corresponding voltage values having a difference greater than the reference value, separating the first and second M_1st segments by a second gap, a second size of the second gap being greater than a first size of the first gap.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor well. The semiconductor device includes a channel structure disposed above the first semiconductor well and extending along a first lateral direction. The semiconductor device includes a gate structure extending along a second lateral direction and straddling the channel structure. The semiconductor device includes a first epitaxial structure disposed on a first side of the channel structure. The semiconductor device includes a second epitaxial structure disposed on a second side of the channel structure, the first side and second side opposite to each other in the first lateral direction. The first epitaxial structure is electrically coupled to the first semiconductor well with a second semiconductor well in the first semiconductor well, and the second epitaxial structure is electrically isolated from the first semiconductor well with a dielectric layer.