Patents by Inventor Yi-Ching Liu

Yi-Ching Liu 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: 12048164
    Abstract: A memory array and an operation method of the memory array are provided. The memory array includes first and second ferroelectric memory devices formed along a gate electrode, a channel layer and a ferroelectric layer between the gate electrode and the channel layer. The ferroelectric memory devices include: a common source/drain electrode and two respective source/drain electrodes, separately in contact with a side of the channel layer opposite to the ferroelectric layer, wherein the common source/drain electrode is disposed between the respective source/drain electrodes; and first and second auxiliary gates, capacitively coupled to the channel layer, wherein the first auxiliary gate is located between the common source/drain electrode and one of the respective source/drain electrodes, and the second auxiliary gate is located between the common source/drain electrode and the other respective source/drain electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Ling Lu, Chen-Jun Wu, Ya-Yun Cheng, Sheng-Chih Lai, Yi-Ching Liu, Yu-Ming Lin, Feng-Cheng Yang, Chung-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 12027204
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are related to a memory array. In one aspect, the memory array includes a set of resistive storage circuits including a first subset of resistive storage circuits connected between a first local line and a second local line in parallel. The first local line and the second local line may extend along a first direction. In one aspect, for each resistive storage circuit of the first subset of resistive storage circuits, current injected at a first common entry point of the first local line exits through a first common exit point of the second local line, such that each resistive storage circuit of the first subset of resistive storage circuits may have same or substantial equal resistive loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Meng-Sheng Chang, Chia-En Huang, Yi-Ching Liu, Yih Wang
  • Patent number: 12029042
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a first conductive structure extending along a vertical direction and a second conductive structuring extending along the vertical direction. The second conductive structure is spaced apart from the first conductive structure along a lateral direction. The semiconductor device further comprises a plurality of third conductive structures each extending along the lateral direction. The plurality of third conductive structures are disposed across the first and second conductive structures. The semiconductor device further comprises a first semiconductor channel extending along the vertical direction. The first semiconductor channel is disposed between the plurality of third conductive structures and the first conductive structure and between the plurality of third conductive structures and the second conductive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Peng-Chun Liou, Zhiqiang Wu, Chung-Wei Wu, Yi-Ching Liu, Chia-En Huang
  • Publication number: 20240212727
    Abstract: A memory device includes a plurality of arrays coupled in parallel with each other. A first array of the plurality of arrays includes a first switch and a plurality of first memory cells that are arranged in a first column, a second switch and a plurality of second memory cells that are arranged in a second column, and at least one data line coupled to the plurality of first memory cells and the plurality of second memory cells. The second switch is configured to output a data signal from the at least one data line to a sense amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2024
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Meng-Sheng CHANG, Chia-En HUANG, Yi-Ching LIU, Yih WANG
  • Patent number: 12014768
    Abstract: A memory circuit includes first and second circuits. The first circuit includes a DRAM array including a plurality of bit lines, and the second circuit includes a computation circuit including a sense amplifier circuit. A boundary layer is positioned between the first and second circuits, and the boundary layer includes a plurality of via structures configured to electrically connect the plurality of bit lines to the sense amplifier circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chieh Lee, Chia-En Huang, Yi-Ching Liu, Wen-Chang Cheng, Yih Wang
  • Patent number: 12002534
    Abstract: Routing arrangements for 3D memory arrays and methods of forming the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a memory array includes a ferroelectric (FE) material contacting a first word line; an oxide semiconductor (OS) layer contacting a source line and a bit line, the FE material being disposed between the OS layer and the first word line; a dielectric material contacting the FE material, the FE material being between the dielectric material and the first word line; an inter-metal dielectric (IMD) over the first word line; a first contact extending through the IMD to the first word line, the first contact being electrically coupled to the first word line; a second contact extending through the dielectric material and the FE material; and a first conductive line electrically coupling the first contact to the second contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Meng-Han Lin, Chenchen Jacob Wang, Yi-Ching Liu, Han-Jong Chia, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Yu-Ming Lin, Yih Wang
  • Patent number: 12002499
    Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein are related to a memory system. In one aspect, the memory system includes a first set of memory cells including a first string of memory cells and a second string of memory cells; and a first switch including: a first electrode connected to first electrodes of the first string of memory cells and first electrodes of the second string of memory cells, and a second electrode connected to a first global bit line, wherein gate electrodes of the first string of memory cells are connected to a first word line and gate electrodes of the second string of memory cells are connected to a second word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng-chen Wang, Meng-Han Lin, Chia-En Huang, Yi-Ching Liu
  • Patent number: 11991887
    Abstract: Three-dimensional memories are provided. A three-dimensional memory includes a memory cell array, a first interconnect structure, a bit line decoder and a second interconnect structure. The bit line decoder is formed under the memory cell array and the first interconnect structure. The memory cell array includes a plurality of memory cells formed in a plurality of levels stacked in a first direction. The first interconnect structure includes at least one bit line extending in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. The bit line includes a plurality of sub-bit lines stacked in the first direction. Each of the sub-bit lines is coupled to the memory cells that are arranged in a line in the corresponding level of the memory cell array. The second interconnect structure is configured to connect the bit line to the bit line decoder passing through the first interconnect structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chenchen Jacob Wang, Chun-Chieh Lu, Yi-Ching Liu
  • Patent number: 11955201
    Abstract: A memory device includes a plurality of arrays coupled in parallel with each other. A first array of the plurality of arrays includes a first switch and a plurality of first memory cells that are arranged in a first column, a second switch and a plurality of second memory cells that are arranged in a second column, and at least one data line coupled to the plurality of first memory cells and the plurality of second memory cells. The second switch is configured to output a data signal from the at least one data line to a sense amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Meng-Sheng Chang, Chia-En Huang, Yi-Ching Liu, Yih Wang
  • Patent number: 11942177
    Abstract: One aspect of this description relates to a memory array. In some embodiments, the memory array includes a first memory cell coupled between a first local select line and a first local bit line, a second memory cell coupled between a second local select line and a second local bit line, a first switch coupled to a global bit line, a second switch coupled between the first local bit line and the first switch, and a third switch coupled between the second local select line and the first switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Ta Yu, Chia-En Huang, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Yih Wang, Yi-Ching Liu
  • Publication number: 20240096386
    Abstract: A memory circuit includes a first memory cell on a first layer, a second memory cell on a second layer different from the first layer, a first select transistor on a third layer different from the first layer and the second layer, and a first bit line extending in a first direction, and being coupled to the first memory cell and the second memory cell. The memory circuit further includes a first source line extending in the first direction, being coupled to the first memory cell, the second memory cell and the first select transistor, and being separated from the first bit line in a second direction different from the first direction. memory circuit includes a second source line extending in the first direction, and being coupled to the first select transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Yi-Ching LIU, Chia-En HUANG, Yih WANG
  • Patent number: 11934480
    Abstract: A circuit for in-memory multiply-and-accumulate functions includes a plurality of NAND blocks. A NAND block includes an array of NAND strings, including B columns and S rows, and L levels of memory cells. W word lines are coupled to (B*S) memory cells in respective levels in the L levels. A source line is coupled to the (B*S) NAND strings in the block. String select line drivers supply voltages to connect NAND strings on multiple string select lines to corresponding bit lines simultaneously. Word line drivers are coupled to apply word line voltages to a word line or word lines in a selected level. A plurality of bit line drivers apply input data to the B bit lines simultaneously. A current sensing circuit is coupled to the source line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hang-Ting Lue, Hung-Sheng Chang, Yi-Ching Liu
  • Publication number: 20240090231
    Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided. The integrated circuit includes a three-dimensional memory device, a first word line driving circuit and a second word line driving circuit. The three-dimensional memory device includes stacking structures separately extending along a column direction. Each stacking structure includes a stack of word lines. The stacking structures have first staircase structures at a first side and second staircase structures at a second side. The word lines extend to steps of the first and second staircase structures. The first and second word line driving circuits lie below the three-dimensional memory device, and extend along the first and second sides, respectively. Some of the word lines in each stacking structure are routed to the first word line driving circuit from a first staircase structure, and others of the word lines in each stacking structure are routed to the second word line driving circuit from a second staircase structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo-Feng Young, Yi-Ching Liu, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Yih Wang, Yu-Ming Lin
  • Publication number: 20240090230
    Abstract: A memory array and an operation method of the memory array are provided. The memory array includes first and second ferroelectric memory devices formed along a gate electrode, a channel layer and a ferroelectric layer between the gate electrode and the channel layer. The ferroelectric memory devices include: a common source/drain electrode and two respective source/drain electrodes, separately in contact with a side of the channel layer opposite to the ferroelectric layer, wherein the common source/drain electrode is disposed between the respective source/drain electrodes; and first and second auxiliary gates, capacitively coupled to the channel layer, wherein the first auxiliary gate is located between the common source/drain electrode and one of the respective source/drain electrodes, and the second auxiliary gate is located between the common source/drain electrode and the other respective source/drain electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Ling Lu, Chen-Jun Wu, Ya-Yun Cheng, Sheng-Chih Lai, Yi-Ching Liu, Yu-Ming Lin, Feng-Cheng Yang, Chung-Te Lin
  • Publication number: 20240071504
    Abstract: A memory device is provided, including a memory array, a driver circuit, and recover circuit. The memory array includes multiple memory cells. Each memory cell is coupled to a control line, a data line, and a source line and, during a normal operation, is configured to receive first and second voltage signals. The driver circuit is configured to output at least one of the first voltage signal or the second voltage signal to the memory cells. The recover circuit is configured to output, during a recover operation, a third voltage signal, through the driver circuit to at least one of the memory cells. The third voltage signal is configured to have a first voltage level that is higher than a highest level of the first voltage signal or the second voltage signal, or lower than a lowest level of the first voltage signal or the second voltage signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Pei-Chun LIAO, Yu-Kai CHANG, Yi-Ching LIU, Yu-Ming LIN, Yih WANG, Chieh LEE
  • Publication number: 20240062818
    Abstract: A memory device is provided, including a first word line driver configured to activate a first word line. The first word line driver includes a first transistor configured to operate in response to a first control signal having a first voltage level to transmit a first word line voltage to a first word line and a second transistor coupled between the first word line and a supply voltage terminal and configured to be turned off in response to a second control signal having a second voltage level different from the first voltage level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Ying LEE, Chieh LEE, Chia-En HUANG, Chi LO, Yi-Ching LIU
  • Publication number: 20240023338
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first conductive structure extending along a vertical direction and a second conductive structure extending along the vertical direction. The second conductive structure is spaced apart from the first conductive structure along a first lateral direction. The semiconductor device includes third conductive structures each extending along the first lateral direction. The third conductive structures are disposed across the first and second conductive structures. The semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor channel extending along the vertical direction. The first semiconductor channel is disposed between the third conductive structures and the first conductive structure, and between the third conductive structures and the second conductive structure. The first and second conductive structures each have a first varying width along the first lateral direction, and the first semiconductor channel has a second varying width along a second lateral direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Peng-Chun Liou, Zhiqiang Wu, Ya-Yun Cheng, Yi-Ching Liu, Meng-Han Lin
  • Publication number: 20240021220
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are related to a memory array including a set of memory cells and a set of switches to configure the set of memory cells. In one aspect, each switch is connected between a corresponding local line and a corresponding subset of memory cells. The local clines may be connected to a global line. Local lines may be metal rails, for example, local bit lines or local select lines. A global line may be a metal rail, for example, a global bit line or a global select line. A switch may be enabled or disabled to electrically couple a controller to a selected subset of memory cells through the global line. Accordingly, the set of memory cells can be configured through the global line rather than a number of metal rails to achieve area efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Meng-Sheng Chang, Chia-En Huang, Yi-Ching Liu, Yih Wang
  • Patent number: 11856786
    Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided. The integrated circuit includes a three-dimensional memory device, a first word line driving circuit and a second word line driving circuit. The three-dimensional memory device includes stacking structures separately extending along a column direction. Each stacking structure includes a stack of word lines. The stacking structures have first staircase structures at a first side and second staircase structures at a second side. The word lines extend to steps of the first and second staircase structures. The first and second word line driving circuits lie below the three-dimensional memory device, and extend along the first and second sides, respectively. Some of the word lines in each stacking structure are routed to the first word line driving circuit from a first staircase structure, and others of the word lines in each stacking structure are routed to the second word line driving circuit from a second staircase structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo-Feng Young, Yi-Ching Liu, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Yih Wang, Yu-Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 11854616
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are related to a memory array. In one aspect, the memory array includes a set of resistive storage circuits including a first subset of resistive storage circuits connected between a first local line and a second local line in parallel. The first local line and the second local line may extend along a first direction. In one aspect, for each resistive storage circuit of the first subset of resistive storage circuits, current injected at a first common entry point of the first local line exits through a first common exit point of the second local line, such that each resistive storage circuit of the first subset of resistive storage circuits may have same or substantial equal resistive loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Meng-Sheng Chang, Chia-En Huang, Yi-Ching Liu, Yih Wang