Patents by Inventor Ya-Qi MA
Ya-Qi MA 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).
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Publication number: 20260064143Abstract: A device includes a voltage regulator circuit configured to pull up a voltage at an output terminal to equal to half of a supply voltage; multiple first transistors coupled between the output terminal and a voltage terminal providing the supply voltage; and a control circuit configured to pull down gate voltages of the first transistors from the supply voltage to a voltage level between the supply voltage and a ground voltage at a first time. The first transistors are configured to pull up the voltage at the output terminal to the supply voltage at a second time.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2025Publication date: March 5, 2026Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Yong-Liang JIN, Ya-Qi MA, Wei LI, Di FAN
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Publication number: 20260066647Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a control circuit and first to second voltage generation circuits. The control circuit is coupled between a first voltage terminal providing a first supply voltage and a first node coupled to a first capacitive unit. The first voltage generation circuit includes at least one first transistor that has a source terminal receiving a second supply voltage, a drain terminal coupled to a second node in contact with a second capacitive unit, and a gate terminal coupled to the first node. The second voltage generation circuit is coupled to the first voltage terminal and the first and second nodes. Firstly the control circuit turns on the at least one first transistor to adjust a voltage level of the second node to have the second supply voltage. The second voltage generation circuit adjusts a voltage level of the first node to have the first supply voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2025Publication date: March 5, 2026Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC NANJING COMPANY LIMITED, TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Kai ZHOU, Lei PAN, Ya-Qi MA, Zhang-Ying YAN
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Patent number: 12500412Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a control circuit and first to second voltage generation circuits. The control circuit is coupled between a first voltage terminal providing a first supply voltage and a first node coupled to a first capacitive unit. The first voltage generation circuit includes at least one first transistor that has a source terminal receiving a second supply voltage, a drain terminal coupled to a second node in contact with a second capacitive unit, and a gate terminal coupled to the first node. The second voltage generation circuit is coupled to the first voltage terminal and the first and second nodes. Firstly the control circuit turns on the at least one first transistor to adjust a voltage level of the second node to have the second supply voltage. The second voltage generation circuit adjusts a voltage level of the first node to have the first supply voltage.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2024Date of Patent: December 16, 2025Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC NANJING COMPANY LIMITED, TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Kai Zhou, Lei Pan, Ya-Qi Ma, Zhang-Ying Yan
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Patent number: 12493310Abstract: A device includes a voltage regulator circuit configured to pull up a voltage at an output terminal to equal to half of a supply voltage; multiple first transistors coupled between the output terminal and a voltage terminal providing the supply voltage; and a control circuit configured to pull down gate voltages of the first transistors from the supply voltage to a voltage level between the supply voltage and a ground voltage at a first time. The first transistors are configured to pull up the voltage at the output terminal to the supply voltage at a second time.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2024Date of Patent: December 9, 2025Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Yong-Liang Jin, Ya-Qi Ma, Wei Li, Di Fan
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Publication number: 20250318279Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided. The integrated circuit comprises first active regions and second active regions. The first active regions are coupled between a pad and a first voltage terminal and configured to discharge electrostatic charges. A first region, which is the closest active region to the pad in the plurality of first active regions have a width greater than widths of remaining active regions in the plurality of first active regions. The first region is included in a first transistor having a breakdown voltage. The second active regions are coupled between the pad and the first voltage terminal. The second active regions are included in an electrostatic discharge primary circuit having a trigger voltage different from the breakdown voltage. The second active regions discharge the electrostatic charges in response to a first voltage between the pad and the first voltage terminal exceeding the trigger voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2025Publication date: October 9, 2025Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Ya-Qi MA, Lei PAN, Zhen TANG
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Patent number: 12364022Abstract: A method is provided and includes the operation below: discharging electrostatic charges from a pad to a first voltage terminal through a first active region coupled to the pad and a second active region coupled between the first active region and the first voltage terminal, in which the first active region and the second active region are the same conductivity type and have different widths from each other, and the first active region and the second active region are included in a first transistor having a first breakdown voltage; and discharging the electrostatic charges through an ESD primary circuit having a first terminal coupled with the first active region and a second terminal coupled with the first voltage terminal. The ESD primary circuit has a trigger voltage lower than the first breakdown voltage.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2022Date of Patent: July 15, 2025Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Ya-Qi Ma, Lei Pan, Zhen Tang
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Publication number: 20250063827Abstract: An integrated circuit includes first to second transistors and a resistive device. The first transistor is coupled between a pad and a first voltage terminal that provides a first supply voltage. The second transistor is coupled in parallel with the first transistor. A breakdown voltage of the first transistor is different from a trigger voltage of the second transistor. The resistive device is coupled between the pad and a second voltage terminal that provides a second supply voltage higher than the first supply voltage, and operates with the second supply voltage in an electrostatic discharge (ESD) event when the first and second transistors discharge a ESD current between the pad and the first voltage terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2024Publication date: February 20, 2025Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Ya-Qi MA, Lei PAN, Zhen TANG
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Patent number: 12191301Abstract: An integrated circuit includes first to second transistors and a resistive device. The first transistor is coupled between a pad and a first voltage terminal that provides a first supply voltage. The second transistor is coupled in parallel with the first transistor. A breakdown voltage of the first transistor is different from a trigger voltage of the second transistor. The resistive device is coupled between the pad and a second voltage terminal that provides a second supply voltage higher than the first supply voltage, and operates with the second supply voltage in an electrostatic discharge (ESD) event when the first and second transistors discharge a ESD current between the pad and the first voltage terminal.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2022Date of Patent: January 7, 2025Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Ya-Qi Ma, Lei Pan, Zhen Tang
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Publication number: 20240313528Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a control circuit and first to second voltage generation circuits. The control circuit is coupled between a first voltage terminal providing a first supply voltage and a first node coupled to a first capacitive unit. The first voltage generation circuit includes at least one first transistor that has a source terminal receiving a second supply voltage, a drain terminal coupled to a second node in contact with a second capacitive unit, and a gate terminal coupled to the first node. The second voltage generation circuit is coupled to the first voltage terminal and the first and second nodes. Firstly the control circuit turns on the at least one first transistor to adjust a voltage level of the second node to have the second supply voltage. The second voltage generation circuit adjusts a voltage level of the first node to have the first supply voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2024Publication date: September 19, 2024Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC NANJING COMPANY LIMITED, TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Kai ZHOU, Lei PAN, Ya-Qi MA, Zhang-Ying YAN
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Patent number: 12034297Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a control circuit and first to second voltage generation circuits. The control circuit is coupled between a first voltage terminal providing a first supply voltage and a first node coupled to a first capacitive unit. The first voltage generation circuit includes at least one first transistor that has a source terminal receiving a second supply voltage, a drain terminal coupled to a second node in contact with a second capacitive unit, and a gate terminal coupled to the first node. The second voltage generation circuit is coupled to the first voltage terminal and the first and second nodes. Firstly the control circuit turns on the at least one first transistor to adjust a voltage level of the second node to have the second supply voltage. The second voltage generation circuit adjusts a voltage level of the first node to have the first supply voltage.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2023Date of Patent: July 9, 2024Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC NANJING COMPANY LIMITED, TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Kai Zhou, Lei Pan, Ya-Qi Ma, Zhang-Ying Yan
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Publication number: 20240201719Abstract: A device includes a voltage regulator circuit configured to pull up a voltage at an output terminal to equal to half of a supply voltage; multiple first transistors coupled between the output terminal and a voltage terminal providing the supply voltage; and a control circuit configured to pull down gate voltages of the first transistors from the supply voltage to a voltage level between the supply voltage and a ground voltage at a first time. The first transistors are configured to pull up the voltage at the output terminal to the supply voltage at a second time.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2024Publication date: June 20, 2024Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Yong-Liang JIN, Ya-Qi MA, Wei LI, Di FAN
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Patent number: 11947372Abstract: A device includes a voltage regulator circuit configured to pull up a voltage at an output terminal to equal to half of a supply voltage; multiple first transistors coupled between the output terminal and a voltage terminal providing the supply voltage; and a control circuit configured to pull down gate voltages of the first transistors from the supply voltage to a voltage level between the supply voltage and a ground voltage at a first time. The first transistors are configured to pull up the voltage at the output terminal to the supply voltage at a second time.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2023Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Yong-Liang Jin, Ya-Qi Ma, Wei Li, Di Fan
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Publication number: 20230253785Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a control circuit and first to second voltage generation circuits. The control circuit is coupled between a first voltage terminal providing a first supply voltage and a first node coupled to a first capacitive unit. The first voltage generation circuit includes at least one first transistor that has a source terminal receiving a second supply voltage, a drain terminal coupled to a second node in contact with a second capacitive unit, and a gate terminal coupled to the first node. The second voltage generation circuit is coupled to the first voltage terminal and the first and second nodes. Firstly the control circuit turns on the at least one first transistor to adjust a voltage level of the second node to have the second supply voltage. The second voltage generation circuit adjusts a voltage level of the first node to have the first supply voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2023Publication date: August 10, 2023Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC NANJING COMPANY LIMITED, TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Kai ZHOU, Lei PAN, Ya-Qi MA, Zhang-Ying YAN
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Patent number: 11652348Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a control circuit, a first voltage generation circuit, and a second voltage generation circuit. The control circuit is coupled between a first voltage terminal and a first node, and generates an initiation voltage at the first node. The first voltage generation circuit and the second voltage generation circuit are coupled to a first capacitive unit at the first node and coupled to a second capacitive unit at a second node. The first voltage generation circuit generates, in response to the initiation voltage at the first node, a first control signal based on a first supply voltage to the second voltage generation circuit. The second voltage generation circuit generates, in response to the first control signal received from the first voltage generation circuit, a second control signal to the first node, based on a second supply voltage.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2021Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC NANJING COMPANY LIMITED, TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Kai Zhou, Lei Pan, Ya-Qi Ma, Zhang-Ying Yan
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Patent number: 11561562Abstract: A device includes a voltage regulator circuit, a power switch circuit, and a control circuit. The voltage regulator circuit generates an output voltage at an output terminal. The power switch circuit is coupled to the voltage regulator circuit. The control circuit receives a first control signal and generates a second control signal that includes a first portion gradually declining between a first time and a second time later than the first time. When the voltage regulator circuit is turned off and a logic state of the first control signal changes at the first time, the power switch circuit is turned on at the second time, in response to the second control signal, to adjust the output voltage.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2021Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Yong-Liang Jin, Ya-Qi Ma, Wei Li, Di Fan
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Publication number: 20220336443Abstract: A method is provided and includes the operation below: discharging electrostatic charges from a pad to a first voltage terminal through a first active region coupled to the pad and a second active region coupled between the first active region and the first voltage terminal, in which the first active region and the second active region are the same conductivity type and have different widths from each other, and the first active region and the second active region are included in a first transistor having a first breakdown voltage; and discharging the electrostatic charges through an ESD primary circuit having a first terminal coupled with the first active region and a second terminal coupled with the first voltage terminal. The ESD primary circuit has a trigger voltage lower than the first breakdown voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2022Publication date: October 20, 2022Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Ya-Qi MA, Lei PAN, Zhen TANG
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Publication number: 20220336442Abstract: An integrated circuit includes first to second transistors and a resistive device. The first transistor is coupled between a pad and a first voltage terminal that provides a first supply voltage. The second transistor is coupled in parallel with the first transistor. A breakdown voltage of the first transistor is different from a trigger voltage of the second transistor. The resistive device is coupled between the pad and a second voltage terminal that provides a second supply voltage higher than the first supply voltage, and operates with the second supply voltage in an electrostatic discharge(ESD) event when the first and second transistors discharge a ESD current between the pad and the first voltage terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2022Publication date: October 20, 2022Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Ya-Qi MA, Lei PAN, Zhen TANG
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Publication number: 20220216787Abstract: A device includes a voltage regulator circuit, a power switch circuit, and a control circuit. The voltage regulator circuit generates an output voltage at an output terminal. The power switch circuit is coupled to the voltage regulator circuit. The control circuit receives a first control signal and generates a second signal that includes a first portion gradually declining between a first time and a second time later than the first time. When the voltage regulator circuit is turned off and a logic state of the first control signal changes at the first time, the power switch circuit is turned on at the second time, in response to the second control signal, to adjust the output voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2021Publication date: July 7, 2022Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Yong-Liang JIN, Ya-Qi MA, Wei Li, Di FAN
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Patent number: 11380671Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a pull-up circuit, an electrostatic discharge (ESD) primary circuit, and a pull-down circuit. The pull-up circuit is coupled between a pad and a first voltage terminal. The ESD primary circuit includes a first terminal which is coupled to the pad and the pull-up circuit, and a second terminal coupled to a second voltage terminal different from the first voltage terminal. The pull-down circuit has a first terminal which is coupled to the pad, the ESD primary circuit and the pull-up circuit, and a second terminal coupled to the second voltage terminal. The pull-down circuit includes at least one first transistor of a first conductivity type having a first terminal coupled to the first terminal of the pull-down circuit. A breakdown voltage of the at least one first transistor is greater than a trigger voltage of the ESD primary circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2020Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Ya-Qi Ma, Lei Pan, Zhen Tang
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Publication number: 20220149616Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a control circuit, a first voltage generation circuit, and a second voltage generation circuit. The control circuit is coupled between a first voltage terminal and a first node, and generates an initiation voltage at the first node. The first voltage generation circuit and the second voltage generation circuit are coupled to a first capacitive unit at the first node and coupled to a second capacitive unit at a second node. The first voltage generation circuit generates, in response to the initiation voltage at the first node, a first control signal based on a first supply voltage to the second voltage generation circuit. The second voltage generation circuit generates, in response to the first control signal received from the first voltage generation circuit, a second control signal to the first node, based on a second supply voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2021Publication date: May 12, 2022Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC NANJING COMPANY LIMITED, TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Kai ZHOU, Lei PAN, Ya-Qi MA, Zhang-Ying YAN