Patents by Inventor Yi-Hsin Nien
Yi-Hsin Nien 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: 20240145385Abstract: A memory device includes a plurality of memory cells disposed over a substrate and formed as an array that has a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. Each of the plurality of memory cells includes a plurality of transistors. A first subset of the plurality of memory cells, that are disposed in first neighboring ones of the plurality of rows, are physically coupled to a corresponding one of a plurality of second interconnect structures that carries a supply voltage through a corresponding one of a plurality of first interconnect structures. The plurality of first interconnect structures extend along a first lateral direction in parallel with a lengthwise direction of a channel of each of the transistors of the memory cells, and the plurality of second interconnect structures, disposed above the plurality of first interconnect structures, extend along a second lateral direction perpendicular to the first lateral direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2023Publication date: May 2, 2024Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yi-Hsin Nien, Hidehiro Fujiwara, Chih-Yu Lin, Yen-Huei Chen
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Publication number: 20240105241Abstract: Disclosed herein are related to a memory device. In one aspect, a memory device includes a set of memory cells. In one aspect, the memory device includes a first bit line extending along a direction. The first bit line may be coupled to a subset of the set of memory cells disposed along the direction. In one aspect, the memory device includes a second bit line extending along the direction. In one aspect, the memory device includes a switch coupled between the first bit line and the second bit line.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Chih-Yu Lin, Yi-Hsin Nien, Hidehiro Fujiwara, Yen-Huei Chen
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Patent number: 11929116Abstract: A memory device and a method for operating the memory device are provided. The memory device includes a memory cell and a bit line connected to the memory cell. A negative voltage generator is connected to the bit line. The negative voltage generator, when enabled, is operative to provide a first write path for the bit line. A control circuit is connected to the negative voltage generator and the bit line. The control circuit is operative to provide a second write path for the bit line when the negative voltage generator is not enabled.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2023Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yi-Hsin Nien, Hidehiro Fujiwara, Chih-Yu Lin, Yen-Huei Chen
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Patent number: 11910587Abstract: An apparatus includes memory cells. A first memory cell of the memory cells includes a first write port laid out in a first doping region and a first read port laid out in a second doping region. The first read port is separated from the first write port by a second write port of a second memory cell of the memory cells.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Yi-Hsin Nien, Hung-Jen Liao
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Publication number: 20240021240Abstract: A memory array is disclosed. The memory array includes a plurality of memory cells disposed over a substrate. Each of the memory cells is coupled to a corresponding one of a plurality of word lines and a corresponding one of a plurality of bit line pairs. First four of the memory cells that are coupled to four consecutive ones of the word lines and to a first one of the bit line pairs are abutted to one another on the substrate along a single lateral direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2022Publication date: January 18, 2024Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yi-Hsin Nien, Hidehiro Fujiwara, Chih-Yu Lin, Yen-Huei Chen
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Publication number: 20230371227Abstract: A memory device includes a first bit cell, a second bit cell, a first word line and a second word line. A first boundary of the second bit cell is adjacent with a first boundary of the first bit cell. The first word line is coupled to the first bit cell. The second word line is coupled to the second bit cell. A first segment of the first word line is overlapped with the first boundary of the second bit cell in a plan view, and a first segment of the second word line is overlapped with a second boundary of the second bit cell in the plan view.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yi-Hsin NIEN, Chih-Yu LIN, Wei-Chang ZHAO, Hidehiro FUJIWARA
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Patent number: 11805636Abstract: A memory device is disclosed. The memory device includes a first program line and a second program line. A first portion of the first program line is formed in a first conductive layer, and a second portion of the first program line is formed in a second conductive layer above the first conductive layer. A first portion of the second program line is formed in the first conductive layer, and a second portion of the second program line is formed in a third conductive layer above the second conductive layer. A width of at least one of the second portion of the first program line or the second portion of the second program line is different from a width of at least one of the first portion of the first program line or the first portion of the second program line. A method is also disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2020Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yi-Hsin Nien, Chih-Yu Lin, Wei-Chang Zhao, Hidehiro Fujiwara
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Publication number: 20230307024Abstract: Systems and method are provided for a memory circuit. In embodiments, the circuit includes a plurality of memory cells corresponding to a word of data and a global write word line. A plurality of local write lines are connected to a subset of the plurality of memory cells of the word of data. Selection logic is configured to activate a particular subset of memory cells for writing via a particular local write line based on a signal on the global write word line and a selection signal associated with the particular subset of memory cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2023Publication date: September 28, 2023Inventors: Yi-Hsin Nien, Hidehiro Fujiwara, Yen-Huei Chen
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Publication number: 20230253035Abstract: An SRAM includes multiple memory cells, each memory cell includes a data storage unit; a data I/O control adapted to input data to, and output data from, a data line; and multiple access controls respectively connected to at least two access control lines (WL's) and adapted to enable and disable the data input and output from the at least two WL's. The access controls are configured to permit data input only when both WL's are in their respective states that permit data input. A method of writing to a group of SRAM cells include sending a first write-enable signal to the cells via a first WL, sending a group of respective second write-enable signals to the respective cells, and, for each of the cells, preventing writing data to the cell if either of the first write-enable signal and respective second write enable signal is in a disable-state.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2023Publication date: August 10, 2023Inventors: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Yen-Huei Chen, Yi-Hsin Nien
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Publication number: 20230238056Abstract: A memory device includes a conductive segment, first and second rows of memory cells. The conductive segment receives a first reference voltage signal. The first row of memory cells is coupled to a first word line. The second row of memory cells is coupled to a second word line. The first row of memory cells includes first and second memory cells. The first memory cell is coupled to the conductive segment to receive the first reference voltage signal. The second row of memory cells includes third and fourth memory cells. The third memory cell is coupled to the conductive segment to receive the first reference voltage signal. The first and third memory cells share the conductive segment, and the third memory cell is arranged between the first and second memory cells. The second memory cell is arranged between the third and fourth memory cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2022Publication date: July 27, 2023Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Yi-Hsin NIEN, Hidehiro FUJIWARA, Chih-Yu LIN, Yen-Huei CHEN
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Patent number: 11682440Abstract: Systems and method are provided for a memory circuit. In embodiments, the circuit includes a plurality of memory cells corresponding to a word of data and a global write word line. A plurality of local write lines are connected to a subset of the plurality of memory cells of the word of data. Selection logic is configured to activate a particular subset of memory cells for writing via a particular local write line based on a signal on the global write word line and a selection signal associated with the particular subset of memory cells.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2022Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company LimitedInventors: Yi-Hsin Nien, Hidehiro Fujiwara, Yen-Huei Chen
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Publication number: 20230156995Abstract: A memory device includes active regions and gate structures, each of the gate structures is electrically coupled to a first portion of a corresponding active region of the active regions. The memory device includes contact-to-transistor-component structures (MD structures), each of the MD structures is over a second portion of a corresponding active region, and a first MD structure is between adjacent gate structures. The memory device includes via-to-gate/MD (VGD) structures, each of the VGD structures is over to a corresponding gate electrode and MD structure. The memory device includes conductive segments, each of the conductive segments is over and electrically coupled to a corresponding VGD structure. The memory device includes buried contact-to-transistor-component structures (BVD) structures, each of the BVD structures is under a third portion of a corresponding active region.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2023Publication date: May 18, 2023Inventors: Hidehiro FUJIWARA, Chih-Yu LIN, Yen-Huei CHEN, Wei-Chang ZHAO, Yi-Hsin NIEN
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Patent number: 11631456Abstract: An SRAM includes multiple memory cells, each memory cell includes a data storage unit; a data I/O control adapted to input data to, and output data from, a data line (BL); and multiple access controls respectively connected to at least two access control lines (WL's) and adapted to enable and disable the data input and output from the at least two WL's (WX and WY). The access controls are configured to permit data input only when both WL's are in their respective states that permit data input. A method of writing to a group of SRAM cells include sending a first write-enable signal to the cells via a first WL, sending a group of respective second write-enable signals to the respective cells, and, for each of the cells, preventing writing data to the cell if either of the first write-enable signal and respective second write enable signal is in a disable-state.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Yen-Huei Chen, Yi-Hsin Nien
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Patent number: 11569246Abstract: A memory device including: active regions; gate electrodes which are substantially aligned relative to four corresponding track lines such that the memory device has a width of four contacted poly pitch (4 CPP) and are electrically coupled to the active regions; contact-to-transistor-component structures (MD structures) which are electrically coupled to the active regions, and are interspersed among corresponding ones of the gate electrodes; via-to-gate/MD (VGD) structures which are electrically coupled to the gate electrodes and the MD structures; conductive segments which are in a first layer of metallization (M_1st layer), and are electrically coupled to the VGD structures; buried contact-to-transistor-component structures (BVD structures) which are electrically coupled to the active regions; and buried conductive segments which are in a first buried layer of metallization (BM_1st layer), and are electrically coupled to the BVD structures, and correspondingly provide a first reference voltage or a second rType: GrantFiled: April 8, 2021Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Chih-Yu Lin, Yen-Huei Chen, Wei-Chang Zhao, Yi-Hsin Nien
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Patent number: 11562786Abstract: A memory device is provided. The memory device includes a memory cell and a bit line connected to the memory cell. A negative voltage generator is connected to the bit line. The negative voltage generator, when enabled, is operative to provide a first write path for the bit line. A control circuit is connected to the negative voltage generator and the bit line. The control circuit is operative to provide a second write path for the bit line when the negative voltage generator is not enabled.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2020Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yi-Hsin Nien, Hidehiro Fujiwara, Chih-Yu Lin, Yen-Huei Chen
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Publication number: 20220359002Abstract: A memory device includes a first word line and a second word line. A first portion of the first word line is formed in a first metal layer, a second portion of the first word line is formed in a second metal layer above the first metal layer, and a third portion of the first word line is formed in a third metal layer below the second metal layer. A first portion of the second word line is formed in the first metal layer. A second portion of the second word line is formed in the second metal layer. The first portion, the second portion, and the third portion of the first word line have sizes that are different from each other, and the first portion and the second portion of the second word line have sizes that are different from each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2022Publication date: November 10, 2022Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yi-Hsin NIEN, Wei-Chang ZHAO, Chih-Yu LIN, Hidehiro FUJIWARA, Yen-Huei CHEN, Ru-Yu WANG
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Publication number: 20220278111Abstract: An apparatus includes memory cells. A first memory cell of the memory cells includes a first write port laid out in a first doping region and a first read port laid out in a second doping region. The first read port is separated from the first write port by a second write port of a second memory cell of the memory cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2021Publication date: September 1, 2022Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Hidehiro FUJIWARA, Yi-Hsin NIEN, Hung-Jen LIAO
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Patent number: 11404113Abstract: A memory device includes a first program line and a second program line. A first portion of the first program line is formed in a first conductive layer, and a second portion of the first program line is formed in a second conductive layer above the first conductive layer. A first portion of the second program line is formed in the first conductive layer. A second portion of the second program line is formed in the second conductive layer. A third portion of the second program line is formed in a third conductive layer above the second conductive layer. The first portion and the second portion of the first program line have sizes that are different from each other, and the first portion, the second portion and the third portion of the second program line have sizes that are different from each other.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2020Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yi-Hsin Nien, Wei-Chang Zhao, Chih-Yu Lin, Hidehiro Fujiwara, Yen-Huei Chen, Ru-Yu Wang
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Publication number: 20220172758Abstract: Systems and method are provided for a memory circuit. In embodiments, the circuit includes a plurality of memory cells corresponding to a word of data and a global write word line. A plurality of local write lines are connected to a subset of the plurality of memory cells of the word of data. Selection logic is configured to activate a particular subset of memory cells for writing via a particular local write line based on a signal on the global write word line and a selection signal associated with the particular subset of memory cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2022Publication date: June 2, 2022Inventors: Yi-Hsin Nien, Hidehiro Fujiwara, Yen-Huei Chen
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Publication number: 20220084585Abstract: An SRAM includes multiple memory cells, each memory cell includes a data storage unit; a data I/O control adapted to input data to, and output data from, a data line (BL); and multiple access controls respectively connected to at least two access control lines (WL's) and adapted to enable and disable the data input and output from the at least two WL's (WX and WY). The access controls are configured to permit data input only when both WL's are in their respective states that permit data input. A method of writing to a group of SRAM cells include sending a first write-enable signal to the cells via a first WL, sending a group of respective second write-enable signals to the respective cells, and, for each of the cells, preventing writing data to the cell if either of the first write-enable signal and respective second write enable signal is in a disable-state.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Inventors: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Yen-Huei Chen, Yi-Hsin Nien