Abstract: An exemplary semiconductor structure includes a device substrate having a first side and a second side. A dielectric layer is disposed over the first side of the device substrate. A through via extends along a first direction through the dielectric layer and through the device substrate from the first side to the second side. The through via has a total length along the first direction and a width along a second direction that is different than the first direction. The total length is a sum of a first length of the through via in the dielectric layer and a second length of the through via in the device substrate. The first length is less than the second length. A guard ring is disposed in the dielectric layer and around the through via.

Abstract: A minimum IC operating voltage searching method includes acquiring a corner type of an IC, acquiring ring oscillator data of the IC, generating a first prediction voltage according to the corner type and the ring oscillator data by using a training model, generating a second prediction voltage according to the ring oscillator data by using a non-linear regression approach under an N-ordered polynomial, and generating a predicted minimum IC operating voltage according to the first prediction voltage and the second prediction voltage. N is a positive integer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an insulating layer, wherein the insulating layer has a via opening and a conductive line opening. The semiconductor device further includes a via in the via opening. The semiconductor device further includes a conductive line in the conductive line opening. The conductive line includes a first liner layer, wherein a first thickness of the first liner layer over the via is less than a second thickness of the first liner layer over the insulating layer, and a conductive fill, wherein the first liner layer surrounds the conductive fill.

Abstract: Three-dimensional integrated circuit (3DIC) structures and methods of forming the same are provided. A 3DIC structure includes a semiconductor package, a first package substrate, a molded underfill layer and a thermal interface material. The semiconductor package is disposed over and electrically connected to the first package substrate through a plurality of first bumps. The semiconductor package includes at least one semiconductor die and an encapsulation layer aside the semiconductor die. The molded underfill layer surrounds the plurality of first bumps and a sidewall of the semiconductor package, and has a substantially planar top surface. The CTE of the molded underfill layer is different from the CTE of the encapsulation layer of the semiconductor package. The thermal interface material is disposed over the semiconductor package.

Abstract: A method for operating a network device is provided. The method comprises steps of providing a first transceiver to establish a first link via a first medium; providing a second transceiver to establish a second link via a second medium; and enabling one of the first and the second transceivers to establish a corresponding one of the first and second links according to a predetermined order, wherein a media access controller transmits a first datum via the first medium by using the first link, and transmits a second datum via the second medium by using the second link.