Patents by Inventor Zheng-Jun Lin

Zheng-Jun Lin 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: 12248331
    Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit is provided. The voltage regulator circuit includes a voltage regulator configured to provide an output voltage at an output terminal. A plurality of macros are connectable at a plurality of connection nodes of a connector connected to the output terminal of the voltage regulator. A feedback circuit having a plurality of feedback loops is connectable to the plurality of connection nodes. The feedback loop of the plurality of feedback loops, when connected to a connection node of the plurality of connection nodes, is configured to provide an instantaneous voltage of the connection node as a feedback to the voltage regulator. The voltage regulator is configured, in response to the instantaneous voltage, regulate the output voltage to maintain the instantaneous voltage of the connection node approximately equal to a reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Zheng-Jun Lin, Chung-Cheng Chou, Yu-Der Chih, Chin-I Su
  • Patent number: 12230320
    Abstract: In some aspects of the present disclosure, a memory device is disclosed. In some aspects, the memory device includes a first voltage regulator to receive a word line voltage provided to a memory array; a resistor network coupled to the first voltage regulator to provide an inhibit voltage to the memory array, wherein the resistor network comprises a plurality of resistors and wherein each of the resistors are coupled in series to an adjacent one of the plurality of resistors; and a switch network comprising a plurality of switches, wherein each of the switches are coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of resistors and to the memory array via a second voltage regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Zheng-Jun Lin, Chin-I Su, Pei-Ling Tseng, Chung-Cheng Chou
  • Patent number: 12230323
    Abstract: A memory circuit includes a first driver circuit, a memory cell array including a first column of memory cells, a first transistor coupled between the first driver circuit and the memory cell array, a second driver circuit, a first column of tracking cells and a header circuit coupled to the first driver circuit and the second driver circuit. The first transistor is configured to receive a first select signal. The first column of tracking cells is configured to track a leakage current of the first column of memory cells, and is coupled between a first conductive line and a second conductive line, the first conductive line being coupled to the second driver circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chin-I Su, Chung-Cheng Chou, Yu-Der Chih, Zheng-Jun Lin
  • Publication number: 20250021120
    Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit is provided. The voltage regulator circuit includes a voltage regulator configured to provide an output voltage at an output terminal. A plurality of macros are connectable at a plurality of connection nodes of a connector connected to the output terminal of the voltage regulator. A feedback circuit having a plurality of feedback loops is connectable to the plurality of connection nodes. The feedback loop of the plurality of feedback loops, when connected to a connection node of the plurality of connection nodes, is configured to provide an instantaneous voltage of the connection node as a feedback to the voltage regulator. The voltage regulator is configured, in response to the instantaneous voltage, regulate the output voltage to maintain the instantaneous voltage of the connection node approximately equal to a reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Inventors: Zheng-Jun Lin, Chung-Cheng Chou, Yu-Der Chih, Chin-I Su
  • Publication number: 20240411334
    Abstract: A circuit includes a memory macro comprising a plurality of memory banks. The circuit includes a first voltage regulator configured to provide a first operation voltage to the memory macro at a first output node. The circuit includes a second voltage regulator configured to provide a second operation voltage to the memory macro at a second output node. The second operation voltage is substantially higher than the first operation voltage. The circuit includes a decoupling capacitor configured to be alternately shared by the first voltage regulator when the memory macro receives the first operation voltage, and by the second voltage regulator when the memory macro receives the second operation voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Zheng-Jun Lin, Chen-Ming Hung, Chung-Cheng Chou
  • Patent number: 12165705
    Abstract: A method of operating a memory circuit includes generating a first current in response to a first voltage. The first current includes a first set of leakage currents and a first write current. The method further includes generating, by a tracking circuit, a second set of leakage currents configured to track the first set of leakage currents of the first column of memory cells, and mirroring the first current in a first path with a second current in a second path by a first current mirror. The second current includes the second set of leakage currents and a second write current. The first write current corresponds to the second write current. The first set of leakage currents corresponds to the second set of leakage currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chin-I Su, Chung-Cheng Chou, Yu-Der Chih, Zheng-Jun Lin
  • Publication number: 20240379155
    Abstract: A memory device including a static random-access memory that includes two cross-coupled inverters and an access transistor having a gate connected to a word line. The memory device further includes one or more logic gates electrically coupled to the static random-access memory, and a non-volatile memory electrically coupled to the static random-access memory and configured to store data and be read using the static random-access memory, wherein the non-volatile memory is connected on one side to the access transistor and on another side to the two cross-coupled inverters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: Zheng-Jun LIN, Chin-I SU, Chung-Cheng CHOU, Chia-Fu LEE
  • Patent number: 12131776
    Abstract: A memory device including a static random-access memory that includes two cross-coupled inverters and an access transistor having a gate connected to a word line. The memory device further includes one or more logic gates electrically coupled to the static random-access memory, and a non-volatile memory electrically coupled to the static random-access memory and configured to store data and be read using the static random-access memory, wherein the non-volatile memory is connected on one side to the access transistor and on another side to the two cross-coupled inverters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Zheng-Jun Lin, Chin-I Su, Chung-Cheng Chou, Chia-Fu Lee
  • Publication number: 20240355389
    Abstract: A memory device includes RRAM memory cells configured to form a zero-transistor and one-resistor (0T1R) array structure in which access transistors of the RRAM memory cells are bypassed or removed. Alternatively, the access transistors of the RRAM memory cells may be arranged in a parallel structure to reduce associated IR drop and thus enable reduced write voltage operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2024
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Zheng-Jun Lin, Chung-Cheng Chou, Yu-Der Chih
  • Publication number: 20240331770
    Abstract: A memory circuit includes a bias voltage generator including a first node, a current source coupled between a first power supply node and the first node, and a first transistor and a first resistive device coupled in series between the first node and a power reference node. A drive circuit includes a second node, an amplifier including a first input terminal coupled to the first node and a second input terminal coupled to the second node, and a second transistor coupled between a second power supply node and the second node and including a gate coupled to an output terminal of the amplifier, and a resistive random-access memory (RRAM) device is coupled between the second node and the power reference node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Chung-Cheng CHOU, Hsu-Shun CHEN, Chien-An LAI, Pei-Ling TSENG, Zheng-Jun LIN
  • Publication number: 20240257870
    Abstract: The disclosed invention presents a self-tracking reference circuit that compensates for IR drops and achieves the target resistance state at different temperatures after write operations. The disclosed self-tracking reference circuit includes a replica access path, a configurable resistor network, a replica selector mini-array and a step current generator that track PVT variations to provide a PVT tracking level for RRAM verify operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Zheng-Jun Lin, Chung-Cheng Chou, Yu-Der Chih, Pei-Ling Tseng
  • Publication number: 20240233820
    Abstract: A resistive random-access memory (RRAM) circuit includes a current source configured to output a first current, a first n-type transistor including a first drain terminal configured to receive the first current, an RRAM device, second and third n-type transistors including respective second and third drain terminals coupled to an output terminal of the RRAM device, an amplifier including a non-inverting input coupled to the first drain terminal, an inverting input configured to receive a first reference voltage level, and an output coupled to a gate of each of the first through third n-type transistors, a fourth n-type transistor coupled between the second n-type transistor and a power supply reference node, and a comparator including a non-inverting input configured to receive a second reference voltage level, an inverting input coupled to each of the second and third drain terminals, and an output coupled to a gate of the fourth n-type transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Chung-Cheng CHOU, Zheng-Jun LIN, Pei-Ling TSENG
  • Patent number: 12027205
    Abstract: A memory device includes RRAM memory cells configured to form a zero-transistor and one-resistor (0T1R) array structure in which access transistors of the RRAM memory cells are bypassed or removed. Alternatively, the access transistors of the RRAM memory cells may be arranged in a parallel structure to reduce associated IR drop and thus enable reduced write voltage operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Zheng-Jun Lin, Chung-Cheng Chou, Yu-Der Chih
  • Patent number: 12014776
    Abstract: A memory circuit includes a bias voltage generator including a bias voltage node, an activation voltage generator including a resistive device, and a first amplifier, a drive circuit including a second amplifier including an input terminal coupled to the bias voltage node, and a resistive random-access memory (RRAM) array. The activation voltage generator and the first amplifier are configured to generate a portion of a bias voltage level on the bias voltage node based on a resistance of the resistive device, and the drive circuit is configured to output a drive voltage having the bias voltage level to the RRAM array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Cheng Chou, Hsu-Shun Chen, Chien-An Lai, Pei-Ling Tseng, Zheng-Jun Lin
  • Patent number: 11984162
    Abstract: The disclosed invention presents a self-tracking reference circuit that compensates for IR drops and achieves the target resistance state at different temperatures after write operations. The disclosed self-tracking reference circuit includes a replica access path, a configurable resistor network, a replica selector mini-array and a step current generator that track PVT variations to provide a PVT tracking level for RRAM verify operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Zheng-Jun Lin, Chung-Cheng Chou, Yu-Der Chih, Pei-Ling Tseng
  • Patent number: 11942150
    Abstract: A resistive random-access memory (RRAM) circuit includes an RRAM device configured to output a cell current responsive to a bit line voltage, and a current limiter including an input terminal coupled to the RRAM device, first and second parallel current paths configured to conduct the cell current between the input terminal and a reference voltage node, and an amplifier configured to generate a first signal responsive to a voltage level at the input terminal and a reference voltage level. Each of the first and second current paths includes a switching device configured to selectively conduct a portion of the cell current responsive to the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Cheng Chou, Zheng-Jun Lin, Pei-Ling Tseng
  • Publication number: 20240062815
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory cell and a sense amplifier. The sense amplifier has a reference circuit configured to output a reference voltage and a sensing circuit connected to the memory cell. A comparator includes a first input and a second input, with the first input connected to the reference circuit to receive the reference voltage, and the second input connected to the memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Zheng-Jun LIN, Chung-Cheng CHOU, Pei-Ling TSENG
  • Publication number: 20240036597
    Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit is provided. The voltage regulator circuit includes a voltage regulator configured to provide an output voltage at an output terminal. A plurality of macros are connectable at a plurality of connection nodes of a connector connected to the output terminal of the voltage regulator. A feedback circuit having a plurality of feedback loops is connectable to the plurality of connection nodes. The feedback loop of the plurality of feedback loops, when connected to a connection node of the plurality of connection nodes, is configured to provide an instantaneous voltage of the connection node as a feedback to the voltage regulator. The voltage regulator is configured, in response to the instantaneous voltage, regulate the output voltage to maintain the instantaneous voltage of the connection node approximately equal to a reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Zheng-Jun Lin, Chung-Cheng Chou, Yu-Der Chih, Chin-I Su
  • Patent number: 11837287
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory cell and a sense amplifier. The sense amplifier has a reference circuit configured to output a reference voltage and a sensing circuit connected to the memory cell. A comparator includes a first input and a second input, with the first input connected to the reference circuit to receive the reference voltage, and the second input connected to the memory cell. A precharger is configured to selectively precharge the sensing circuit to a predetermined precharge voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Zheng-Jun Lin, Chung-Cheng Chou, Pei-Ling Tseng
  • Publication number: 20230377648
    Abstract: A method of operating a memory circuit includes generating a first current in response to a first voltage. The first current includes a first set of leakage currents and a first write current. The method further includes generating, by a tracking circuit, a second set of leakage currents configured to track the first set of leakage currents of the first column of memory cells, and mirroring the first current in a first path with a second current in a second path by a first current mirror. The second current includes the second set of leakage currents and a second write current. The first write current corresponds to the second write current. The first set of leakage currents corresponds to the second set of leakage currents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Chin-I SU, Chung-Cheng CHOU, Yu-Der CHIH, Zheng-Jun LIN