Patents by Inventor Ze-Ming Wu

Ze-Ming Wu 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: 11907636
    Abstract: A method of generating an IC layout diagram includes receiving a first gate resistance value of a gate region in an IC layout diagram, the first gate resistance value corresponding to a location of a gate via positioned within an active region and along a width of the gate region extending across the active region, determining a second gate resistance value based on the location and the width, using the first and second resistance values to determine that the IC layout diagram does not comply with a design specification, and based on the non-compliance with the design specification, modifying the IC layout diagram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ke-Ying Su, Jon-Hsu Ho, Ke-Wei Su, Liang-Yi Chen, Wen-Hsing Hsieh, Wen-Koi Lai, Keng-Hua Kuo, Kuopei Lu, Lester Chang, Ze-Ming Wu
  • Publication number: 20230325575
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a corresponding layout diagram being stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the layout diagram including layout cells, the method including generating the layout diagram including: for a candidate cell amongst the layout cells in the layout diagram, avoiding a discrete calculation of a corresponding parasitic capacitance (PC) description including, within a database which stores predefined cells and corresponding parasitic capacitance (PC) descriptions thereof, searching the database for one amongst the predefined cells (matching predefined cell) that is a substantial match to the candidate cell: and, when a substantial match is found, assigning the PC description of the matching predefined cell to the candidate cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Ke-Ying SU, Ze-Ming WU, Po-Jui LIN
  • Patent number: 11681847
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for storing and reusing the PC description of layout cells. A database stores predefined cells and PC descriptions that were previously calculated by a 3D field solver. Regarding a candidate cell from the layout diagram, the database is searched for a substantial match amongst the predefined cells. If there is a match, then the stored PC description of the matching predefined cell is assigned to the candidate cell in the layout diagram, which avoids having to make a discrete calculation for the PC description. If there is no match, then the 3D field solver is applied to the candidate cell in order to calculate the PC description of the candidate cell. To facilitate reusing the newly calculated PC description, the candidate cell and the newly calculated PC description are stored in the database as a new predefined cell and its corresponding PC description.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ke-Ying Su, Ze-Ming Wu, Po-Jui Lin
  • Publication number: 20220343054
    Abstract: A method of generating an IC layout diagram includes receiving a first gate resistance value of a gate region in an IC layout diagram, the first gate resistance value corresponding to a location of a gate via positioned within an active region and along a width of the gate region extending across the active region, determining a second gate resistance value based on the location and the width, using the first and second resistance values to determine that the IC layout diagram does not comply with a design specification, and based on the non-compliance with the design specification, modifying the IC layout diagram.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Ke-Ying SU, Jon-Hsu HO, Ke-Wei SU, Liang-Yi CHEN, Wen-Hsing HSIEH, Wen-Koi LAI, Keng-Hua KUO, KuoPei LU, Lester CHANG, Ze-Ming WU
  • Patent number: 11392749
    Abstract: A method of generating a netlist of an IC device includes receiving gate region information of the IC device. The gate region information includes a width of the gate region, the width extending at least from a first edge of an active region to a second edge of the active region, a location of a gate via positioned within the active region and along the width, and a first gate resistance value corresponding to the gate region. The method includes determining a second gate resistance value based on the location and the width, and modifying the netlist based on the second gate resistance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ke-Ying Su, Jon-Hsu Ho, Ke-Wei Su, Liang-Yi Chen, Wen-Hsing Hsieh, Wen-Koi Lai, Keng-Hua Kuo, KuoPei Lu, Lester Chang, Ze-Ming Wu
  • Publication number: 20220012401
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for storing and reusing the PC description of layout cells. A database stores predefined cells and PC descriptions that were previously calculated by a 3D field solver. Regarding a candidate cell from the layout diagram, the database is searched for a substantial match amongst the predefined cells. . If there is a match, then the stored PC description of the matching predefined cell is assigned to the candidate cell in the layout diagram, which avoids having to make a discrete calculation for the PC description. If there is no match, then the 3D field solver is applied to the candidate cell in order to calculate the PC description of the candidate cell. To facilitate reusing the newly calculated PC description, the candidate cell and the newly calculated PC description are stored in the database as a new predefined cell and its corresponding PC description.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Ke-Ying SU, Ze-Ming WU, Po-Jui LIN
  • Publication number: 20210073454
    Abstract: A method of generating a netlist of an IC device includes receiving gate region information of the IC device. The gate region information includes a width of the gate region, the width extending at least from a first edge of an active region to a second edge of the active region, a location of a gate via positioned within the active region and along the width, and a first gate resistance value corresponding to the gate region. The method includes determining a second gate resistance value based on the location and the width, and modifying the netlist based on the second gate resistance value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Ke-Ying SU, Jon-Hsu HO, Ke-Wei SU, Liang-Yi CHEN, Wen-Hsing HSIEH, Wen-Koi LAI, Keng-Hua KUO, KuoPei LU, Lester CHANG, Ze-Ming WU
  • Patent number: 10846456
    Abstract: A method of generating a netlist of an IC device includes extracting dimensions of a gate region of the IC device, the dimensions including a width of the gate region, the width extending at least from a first edge of an active region to a second edge of the active region, and a distance from a first end of the width to a gate via positioned along the width. A first gate resistance value corresponding to the gate region is received, a second gate resistance value is determined based on the distance and the width, and the netlist is updated based on the first and second gate resistance values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Ke-Ying Su, Jon-Hsu Ho, Ke-Wei Su, Liang-Yi Chen, Wen-Hsing Hsieh, Wen-Koi Lai, Keng-Hua Kuo, KuoPei Lu, Lester Chang, Ze-Ming Wu
  • Publication number: 20190340328
    Abstract: A method of generating a netlist of an IC device includes extracting dimensions of a gate region of the IC device, the dimensions including a width of the gate region, the width extending at least from a first edge of an active region to a second edge of the active region, and a distance from a first end of the width to a gate via positioned along the width. A first gate resistance value corresponding to the gate region is received, a second gate resistance value is determined based on the distance and the width, and the netlist is updated based on the first and second gate resistance values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Ke-Ying SU, Jon-Hsu HO, Ke-Wei SU, Liang-Yi CHEN, Wen-Hsing HSIEH, Wen-Koi LAI, Keng-Hua KUO, KuoPei LU, Lester CHANG, Ze-Ming WU
  • Patent number: 9582630
    Abstract: One or more systems and methods for a cell based hybrid resistance and capacitance (RC) extraction are provided. The method includes generating a layout for a semiconductor arrangement, performing a three-dimensional (3D) RC extraction on a target unit cell to obtain a 3D RC result including a coupling capacitance between unit cells, generating a 3D RC netlist based upon the 3D RC result, performing a 2.5 dimensional (2.5D) RC extraction on a peripheral cell to obtain a 2.5D RC netlist, and combining the 3D RC netlist with the 2.5D RC netlist to create a hybrid RC netlist for the layout. In some embodiments, the hybrid RC netlist is generated by stitching the coupling capacitance for at least one of the target unit cell, a repeating unit cell, or the peripheral cell together. In some embodiments, the 3D RC result for the target unit cell is stitched to the repeating unit cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Ze-Ming Wu, Shih Hsin Chen, Chien-Chih Kuo, Kai-Ming Liu, Hsien-Hsin Sean Lee
  • Publication number: 20160063165
    Abstract: One or more systems and methods for a cell based hybrid resistance and capacitance (RC) extraction are provided. The method includes generating a layout for a semiconductor arrangement, performing a 3D RC extraction on a target unit cell to obtain a 3D RC result including a coupling capacitance between unit cells, generating a 3D RC netlist based upon the 3D RC result, performing a 2.5D RC extraction on a peripheral cell to obtain a 2.5D RC netlist, and combining the 3D RC netlist with the 2.5D RC netlist to create a hybrid RC netlist for the layout. In some embodiments, the hybrid RC netlist is generated by stitching the coupling capacitance for at least one of the target unit cell, a repeating unit cell, or the peripheral cell together. In some embodiments, the 3D RC result for the target unit cell is stitched to the repeating unit cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Ze-Ming Wu, Shih Hsin Chen, Chien-Chih Kuo, Kai-Ming Liu, Hsien-Hsin Sean Lee
  • Patent number: 9021412
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for generating a through-silicon via (TSV) model for RC extraction that accurately models an interposer substrate comprising one or more TSVs. In some embodiments, a method is performed by generating an interposer wafer model having a sub-circuit that models a TSV. The sub-circuit can compensate for limitations in resistive and capacitive extraction of traditional TSV models performed by EDA tools. In some embodiments, the sub-circuit is coupled to a floating common node of the model. The floating common node enables the interposer wafer model to take into consideration capacitive coupling within the interposer. The improved interposer wafer model enables accurate RC extraction of an interposer with one or more TSVs, thereby providing for an interposer wafer model that is consistent between GDS and APR flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ze-Ming Wu, Ching-Shun Yang, Ke-Ying Su, Hsiao-Shu Chao
  • Patent number: 8904337
    Abstract: A semiconductor device design system comprising at least one processor is configured to define a resistance-capacitance (RC) extraction tool for determining a distance between first and second through-semiconductor-vias extracted from a layout of a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate and the first and second through-semiconductor-vias in the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device design system comprising the at least one processor is also configured to extract parasitic parameters of a coupling in the semiconductor substrate based on the distance determined by the RC extraction tool and a model of the coupling included in a simulation tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching-Shun Yang, Ze-Ming Wu, Hsiao-Chu Chao, Yi-Kan Cheng
  • Patent number: 8856710
    Abstract: A method comprises analyzing front side conductive patterns and back side conductive patterns on a semiconductor interposer using a machine implemented RC extraction tool, and outputting data representing a plurality of respective RC nodes from the RC extraction tool to a tangible persistent machine readable storage medium. A substrate mesh model of the semiconductor interposer is generated, having a plurality of substrate mesh nodes. Each substrate mesh node is connected to adjacent ones of the plurality of substrate mesh nodes by respective substrate impedance elements. A set of inputs to a timing analysis tool is formed. The plurality of RC nodes are connected to ones of the plurality of substrate mesh nodes of the substrate mesh model. The set of inputs is stored in a tangible machine readable storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao-Yang Yeh, Ze-Ming Wu, Meng-Lin Chung, Chih-Chia Chen, Li-Fu Ding, Sa-Lly Liu
  • Publication number: 20140258962
    Abstract: A method includes generating a three-dimensional table. The table cells of the three-dimensional table comprise normalized parasitic capacitance values selected from the group consisting essentially of normalized poly-to-fin parasitic capacitance values and normalized poly-to-metal-contact parasitic capacitance values of Fin Field-Effect Transistors (FinFETs). The three-dimensional table is indexed by poly-to-metal-contact spacings of the FinFETs, fin-to-fin spacings of the FinFETs, and metal-contact-to-second-poly spacings of the FinFETs. The step of generating the three-dimensional table is performed using a computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Ming Ho, Ke-Ying Su, Hsiao-Shu Chao, Yi-Kan Cheng, Ze-Ming Wu, Hsien-Hsin Sean Lee
  • Patent number: 8826213
    Abstract: A method includes generating a three-dimensional table. The table cells of the three-dimensional table comprise normalized parasitic capacitance values selected from the group consisting essentially of normalized poly-to-fin parasitic capacitance values and normalized poly-to-metal-contact parasitic capacitance values of Fin Field-Effect Transistors (FinFETs). The three-dimensional table is indexed by poly-to-metal-contact spacings of the FinFETs, fin-to-fin spacings of the FinFETs, and metal-contact-to-second-poly spacings of the FinFETs. The step of generating the three-dimensional table is performed using a computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Ming Ho, Ke-Ying Su, Hsiao-Shu Chao, Yi-Kan Cheng, Ze-Ming Wu, Hsien-Hsin Sean Lee
  • Publication number: 20140189635
    Abstract: A semiconductor device design system comprising at least one processor is configured to define a resistance-capacitance (RC) extraction tool for determining a distance between first and second through-semiconductor-vias extracted from a layout of a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate and the first and second through-semiconductor-vias in the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device design system comprising the at least one processor is also configured to extract parasitic parameters of a coupling in the semiconductor substrate based on the distance determined by the RC extraction tool and a model of the coupling included in a simulation tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ching-Shun YANG, Ze-Ming WU, Hsiao-Chu CHAO, Yi-Kan CHENG
  • Patent number: 8707245
    Abstract: In a semiconductor device design method performed by at least one processor, first and second electrical components are extracted from a layout of a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate and the first and second electrical components in the semiconductor substrate. Parasitic parameters of a coupling in the semiconductor substrate between the first and second electrical components are extracted using a first tool. Intrinsic parameters of the first and second electrical components are extracted using a second tool different from the first tool. The extracted parasitic parameters and intrinsic parameters are combined into a model of the semiconductor device. The parasitic parameters of the coupling are extracted based on a model of the coupling included in the second tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching-Shun Yang, Ze-Ming Wu, Hsiao-Shu Chao, Yi-Kan Cheng
  • Publication number: 20140082578
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for generating a through-silicon via (TSV) model for RC extraction that accurately models an interposer substrate comprising one or more TSVs. In some embodiments, a method is performed by generating an interposer wafer model having a sub-circuit that models a TSV. The sub-circuit can compensate for limitations in resistive and capacitive extraction of traditional TSV models performed by EDA tools. In some embodiments, the sub-circuit is coupled to a floating common node of the model. The floating common node enables the interposer wafer model to take into consideration capacitive coupling within the interposer. The improved interposer wafer model enables accurate RC extraction of an interposer with one or more TSVs, thereby providing for an interposer wafer model that is consistent between GDS and APR flows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ze-Ming Wu, Ching-Shun Yang, Ke-Ying Su, Hsiao-Shu Chao
  • Patent number: 8607179
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for generating a through-silicon via (TSV) model for RC extraction that accurately models an interposer substrate comprising one or more TSVs. In some embodiments, a method is performed by generating an interposer wafer model having a sub-circuit that models a TSV. The sub-circuit can compensate for limitations in resistive and capacitive extraction of traditional TSV models performed by EDA tools. In some embodiments, the sub-circuit is coupled to a floating common node of the model. The floating common node enables the interposer wafer model to take into consideration capacitive coupling within the interposer. The improved interposer wafer model enables accurate RC extraction of an interposer with one or more TSVs, thereby providing for an interposer wafer model that is consistent between GDS and APR flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ze-Ming Wu, Ching-Shun Yang, Ke-Ying Su, Hsiao-Shu Chao