Patents by Inventor Yi-Kan Cheng

Yi-Kan Cheng 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).

  • Publication number: 20190064770
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments for multiple standard cell libraries are disclosed that include one or more standard cells and one or more corresponding standard cell variations. The one or more standard cell variations have similar functionality as their one or more standard cells but are different from their one or more standard cells in terms of geometric shapes, locations of the geometric shapes, and/or interconnections between the geometric shapes. The exemplary systems and methods described herein selectively choose from among the one or more standard cells and/or the one or more standard cell variations to form an electronic architectural design for analog circuitry and/or digital circuitry of an electronic device. In an exemplary embodiment, a semiconductor foundry and/or semiconductor technology node can impose one or more electronic design constraints on the placement of the one or more standard cells onto an electronic device design real estate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng-Hsiung CHEN, Jerry Chang-Jui Kao, Fong-Yuan Chang, Po-Hsiang Huang, Shao-Huan Wang, XinYong Wang, Yi-Kan Cheng, Chun-Chen Chen
  • Publication number: 20190065653
    Abstract: A method (of generating a layout diagram of a conductive line structure includes: determining that a first set of first to fourth short pillar patterns (which represent portions of an M(i) layer of metallization and are located relative to a grid), violates a minimum transverse-routing (TVR) distance of apha-direction-separation, wherein (1) the grid has orthogonal alpha and beta tracks, and (2) the short pillar patterns have long axes which are substantially co-track aligned with a first one of the alpha tracks and have a first distance (of alpha-direction-separation between immediately adjacent members of the first set) which is less than the TVR distance; and merging pairings of the first & second and third & fourth short pillar patterns into corresponding first and second medium pillar patterns which have a second distance of alpha-direction-separation therebetween; the second value being greater than the TVR distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Hiranmay BISWAS, Chung-Hsing WANG, Kuo-Nan YANG, Yi-Kan CHENG
  • Publication number: 20190034578
    Abstract: A system including a memory; and a simulation tool connected to the memory. The simulation tool is configured to receive information related to a plurality of dies. The simulation tool is further configured to receive a plurality of input vectors. The simulation tool is further configured to determining a temperature profile for a first die of the plurality of dies. The simulation tool is further configured to simulate operation of a second die of the plurality of dies based on the determined temperature profile and the received plurality of input vectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Chi-Wen CHANG, Hui Yu LEE, Ya Yun LIU, Jui-Feng KUAN, Yi-Kan CHENG
  • Patent number: 10163787
    Abstract: The semiconductor structure includes a first conductive path including first and second segments. The first segment is in a first conductive layer. The second segment is in a second conductive layer. The first and second segments are electrically connected. The semiconductor structure includes a second conductive path including third and fourth segments. The third segment is in the first conductive layer. The fourth segment is in the second conductive layer. The third and fourth segments are electrically connected. The semiconductor structure includes a third conductive path between the first conductive path and the second conductive path, the third conductive path includes fifth and sixth segments. The fifth segment is in the second conductive layer. The sixth segment is in the first conductive layer. The fifth and sixth segments are electrically connected. An area of the first conductive layer between the first and third segments is free of the sixth segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hui Yu Lee, Feng Wei Kuo, Jui-Feng Kuan, Yi-Kan Cheng
  • Patent number: 10157252
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first tier and a second tier. The second tier is above the first tier. The first tier includes a first cell. The second tier includes a second cell and a third cell. The third cell includes a first inter layer via (ILV) to couple the first cell in the first tier to the second cell in the second tier. The third cell further includes a second ILV, the first ILV and the second ILV are extended along a first direction. The first tier further includes a fourth cell. The second tier further includes a fifth cell. The second ILV of the third cell is arranged to connect the fourth cell of the first tier with the fifth cell of the second tier. In some embodiments, the second tier further includes a spare cell including a spare ILV for engineering change order (ECO) purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Chi-Wen Chang, Hui Yu Lee, Ya Yun Liu, Jui-Feng Kuan, Yi-Kan Cheng
  • Patent number: 10157254
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a clock tree structure disposed on a semiconductor substrate. The clock tree structure includes a first clock line having a first line width and being arranged at a first height as measured from an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate. The clock tree structure also includes a second clock line having a second line width, which differs from the first line width. The second clock line is arranged at a second height as measured from the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate and the second height is equal to the first height. The first line width can be directly proportional to a first current level for the first clock line and the second line width can be directly proportional to a second current level for the second clock line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Nan Yang, Chung-Hsing Wang, Yi-Kan Cheng, Kumar Lalgudi
  • Patent number: 10095827
    Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes determining a temperature profile for a first die of a three-dimensional integrated circuit (3DIC). The method further includes identifying a plurality of sub-regions of the first die based on the determined temperature profile. The method further includes simulating operation of a circuit in a second die of the 3DIC based on the determined temperature profile and a corresponding sub-region of the plurality of sub-regions. The method further includes manufacturing the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chi-Wen Chang, Hui Yu Lee, Ya Yun Liu, Jui-Feng Kuan, Yi-Kan Cheng
  • Publication number: 20180225407
    Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes determining a temperature profile for a first die of a three-dimensional integrated circuit (3DIC). The method further includes identifying a plurality of sub-regions of the first die based on the determined temperature profile. The method further includes simulating operation of a circuit in a second die of the 3DIC based on the determined temperature profile and a corresponding sub-region of the plurality of sub-regions. The method further includes manufacturing the semiconductor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Chi-Wen CHANG, Hui Yu LEE, Ya Yun LIU, Jui-Feng KUAN, Yi-Kan CHENG
  • Patent number: 9984196
    Abstract: A method comprises identifying a semiconductor device layout region comprising a first n-type metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) device having a first pair of face-to-face diodes adjacent to a second n-type MOS device having a second pair of face-to-face diodes and adding a dummy device between a first body contact of the first n-type MOS device and a second body contact of the second MOS device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chau-Wen Wei, Cheng-Te Chang, Chin-Yuan Huang, Chih Ming Yang, Yi-Kan Cheng
  • Patent number: 9934352
    Abstract: A method of making a three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC) includes performing a series of simulations of operations of a first die of the 3DIC in response to a corresponding series of input vectors and at least one environment temperature. The method also includes adjusting, for at least one simulation in the series of simulations, the at least one environment temperature based on an operational temperature profile of a second die of the 3DIC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chi-Wen Chang, Hui Yu Lee, Ya Yun Liu, Jui-Feng Kuan, Yi-Kan Cheng
  • Publication number: 20170358572
    Abstract: A structure and method for cooling a three-dimensional integrated circuit (3DIC) are provided. A cooling element is configured for thermal connection to the 3DIC. The cooling element includes a plurality of individually controllable cooling modules disposed at a first plurality of locations relative to the 3DIC. Each of the cooling modules includes a cold pole and a heat sink. The cold pole is configured to absorb heat from the 3DIC. The heat sink is configured to dissipate the heat absorbed by the cold pole and is coupled to the cold pole via an N-type semiconductor element and via a P-type semiconductor element. A temperature sensing element includes a plurality of thermal monitoring elements disposed at a second plurality of locations relative to the 3DIC for measuring temperatures at the second plurality of locations. The measured temperatures control the plurality of cooling modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Hui-Yu Lee, Chi-Wen Chang, Jui-Feng Kuan, Yi-Kan Cheng
  • Publication number: 20170345809
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a first cell layout and a second cell layout are provided and combined into a third cell layout. Each of the first cell layout and the second cell layout includes a higher power line, a lower power line, an output pin, at least one up transistor and at least one down transistor formed to electrically couple the output pin to the higher power line and the output pin to the lower power line, respectively. The at least one up transistor and the at least one down transistor of the second cell layout include a gate line. For the combining, the gate line is non-selectively electrically coupled to the output pin of the first cell layout to form a first node. A design layout in which the third cell layout is used at different locations is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: FONG-YUAN CHANG, LEE-CHUNG LU, YI-KAN CHENG, SHENG-HSIUNG CHEN, PO-HSIANG HUANG, SHUN LI CHEN, JEO-YEN LEE, JYUN-HAO CHANG, SHAO-HUAN WANG, CHIEN-YING CHEN
  • Publication number: 20170300611
    Abstract: The semiconductor structure includes a first conductive path including first and second segments. The first segment is in a first conductive layer. The second segment is in a second conductive layer. The first and second segments are electrically connected. The semiconductor structure includes a second conductive path including third and fourth segments. The third segment is in the first conductive layer. The fourth segment is in the second conductive layer. The third and fourth segments are electrically connected. The semiconductor structure includes a third conductive path between the first conductive path and the second conductive path, the third conductive path includes fifth and sixth segments. The fifth segment is in the second conductive layer. The sixth segment is in the first conductive layer. The fifth and sixth segments are electrically connected. An area of the first conductive layer between the first and third segments is free of the sixth segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Hui Yu LEE, Feng Wei KUO, Jui-Feng KUAN, Yi-Kan CHENG
  • Patent number: 9747402
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip includes a row of cells, with each of the cells including a VDD line and a VSS line. All VDD lines of the cells are connected as a single VDD line, and all VSS lines of the cells are connected as a single VSS line. No double-patterning full trace having an even number of G0 paths exists in the row of cells, or no double-patterning full trace having an odd number of G0 paths exists in the row of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Huang-Yu Chen, Yuan-Te Hou, Fung Song Lee, Wen-Ju Yang, Gwan Sin Chang, Yi-Kan Cheng, Li-Chun Tien, Lee-Chung Lu
  • Patent number: 9748228
    Abstract: A structure and method for cooling a three-dimensional integrated circuit (3DIC) are provided. A cooling element is configured for thermal connection to the 3DIC. The cooling element includes a plurality of individually controllable cooling modules disposed at a first plurality of locations relative to the 3DIC. Each of the cooling modules includes a cold pole and a heat sink. The cold pole is configured to absorb heat from the 3DIC. The heat sink is configured to dissipate the heat absorbed by the cold pole and is coupled to the cold pole via an N-type semiconductor element and via a P-type semiconductor element. A temperature sensing element includes a plurality of thermal monitoring elements disposed at a second plurality of locations relative to the 3DIC for measuring temperatures at the second plurality of locations. The measured temperatures control the plurality of cooling modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hui-Yu Lee, Chi-Wen Chang, Jui-Feng Kuan, Yi-Kan Cheng
  • Patent number: 9698099
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first conductive path and a second conductive path configured to carry a first pair of differential signals representative of an in-phase signal. The semiconductor device further includes a third conductive path and a fourth conductive path configured to carry a second pair of differential signals representative of a quadrature signal corresponding to the in-phase signal. The first and second conductive paths are in a conductive layer of the semiconductor structure, and the third and fourth conductive paths are in another conductive layer of the semiconductor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hui Yu Lee, Feng Wei Kuo, Jui-Feng Kuan, Yi-Kan Cheng
  • Publication number: 20170186691
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a clock tree structure disposed on a semiconductor substrate. The clock tree structure includes a first clock line having a first line width and being arranged at a first height as measured from an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate. The clock tree structure also includes a second clock line having a second line width, which differs from the first line width. The second clock line is arranged at a second height as measured from the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate and the second height is equal to the first height. The first line width can be directly proportional to a first current level for the first clock line and the second line width can be directly proportional to a second current level for the second clock line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Kuo-Nan Yang, Chung-Hsing Wang, Yi-Kan Cheng, Kumar Lalgudi
  • Patent number: 9672315
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a computer program product for providing an adjusted electronic representation of an integrated circuit layout. The computer program product has a medium with a computer program embodied thereon. Further, the computer program comprises computer program code for providing full node cells from a full node netlist, computer program code for scaling the full node cells to provide shrink node cells, computer program code for providing a timing performance of the full node cells and the shrink node cells, computer program code for comparing the timing performance of the full node cells to the timing performance of the shrink node cells, and computer program code for providing a first netlist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Lee-Chung Lu, Yi-Kan Cheng, Chung-Hsing Wang, Chen-Fu “Alex” Huang, Hsiao-Shu Chao, Chin-Yu Chiang, Ho Che Yu, Chih Sheng Tsai, Shu Yi Ying
  • Publication number: 20160267218
    Abstract: A method comprises identifying a semiconductor device layout region comprising a first n-type metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) device having a first pair of face-to-face diodes adjacent to a second n-type MOS device having a second pair of face-to-face diodes and adding a dummy device between a first body contact of the first n-type MOS device and a second body contact of the second MOS device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Chau-Wen Wei, Cheng-Te Chang, Chin-Yuan Huang, Chih Ming Yang, Yi-Kan Cheng
  • Publication number: 20160259877
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first tier and a second tier. The second tier is above the first tier. The first tier includes a first cell. The second tier includes a second cell and a third cell. The third cell includes a first inter layer via (ILV) to couple the first cell in the first tier to the second cell in the second tier. The third cell further includes a second ILV, the first ILV and the second ILV are extended along a first direction. The first tier further includes a fourth cell. The second tier further includes a fifth cell. The second ILV of the third cell is arranged to connect the fourth cell of the first tier with the fifth cell of the second tier. In some embodiments, the second tier further includes a spare cell including a spare ILV for engineering change order (ECO) purpose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Chi-Wen Chang, Hui Yu Lee, Ya Yun Liu, Jui-Feng Kuan, Yi-Kan Cheng