Patents Issued in August 7, 2007
  • Patent number: 7253462
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element that is set up on a semiconductor layer, a light shielding wall that is set up around the semiconductor element, a hole that is set up on the light shielding wall, and a wiring layer that is electrically connected to the semiconductor element and is drawn out through the hole to the outside of the light shielding wall. The wiring layer has a pattern including a first part that is located within the hole and a second part that is located on the outside of the hole and has a larger width compared to the width of the first part, the width of the second part being the same with or larger than the width of the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Susumu Inoue, Yo Takeda, Yutaka Maruo
  • Patent number: 7253463
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a semi-conductor substrate, a MOS transistor formed on the semiconductor substrate and including a pair of impurity regions as a source and a drain, and a gate electrode, a first conductive plug formed in contact with an upper surface of one of the pair of impurity regions, and a planar ferroelectric capacitor formed by stacking a lower electrode layer, a ferroelectric layer and an upper electrode layer on the first conductive plug, a side face upper end of the first conductive plug being aligned with a corresponding part of a side face of the ferroelectric capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Yuki Yamada
  • Patent number: 7253464
    Abstract: Depletion-mode ferroelectric transistors are adapted for use as non-volatile memory cells for memory devices and electronic systems. Various embodiments are described having a diode interposed between the bit line and a source/drain region of the transistor for added margin against read disturb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig T. Salling, Brian W. Huber
  • Patent number: 7253465
    Abstract: In a dual polymetal gate electrode, the contact resistance at the interface of silicon films increases due to mutual-diffusion of impurities of p-type and n-type silicon films through a refractory metal and metal nitride deposited thereon. A way of inhibiting the phenomenon is carbon implantation into a refractory metal and refractory metal nitride on the boundary of p-type silicon and n-type silicon, cutting the path, or isolating it by an insulator. Thereby, mutual-diffusion of impurities through a refractory metallic film and nitride film of refractory metal is inhibited, resulting in an increase in the contact resistance of metal nitride film and silicon film and a decrease in the deviation of threshold voltage of the MISFET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Yamamoto, Yoshitaka Tadaki, Hiroshige Kogayu
  • Patent number: 7253466
    Abstract: The present invention provides microelectronic electrochemical structures and related fabrication methods. A composite microelectronic structure is provided that includes first and second conductors dielectrically isolated from one another at a crossing thereof, the crossing surrounded by a dielectric material. A portion of the dielectric material around the crossing of the first and second conductors is removed to form a well that exposes respective outer surfaces of the first and second conductors and a molecule is deposited in the well such that the deposited molecule contacts the exposed outer surfaces of the first and second conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Veena Misra, John Damiano, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7253467
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a tunneling insulating layer, a charge storage layer, a blocking insulating layer, and a gate electrode. The tunneling insulating layer is on the substrate and has a first dielectric constant. The charge storage layer is on the tunneling insulating layer. The blocking insulating layer is on the charge storage layer and has a second dielectric constant which is greater than the first dielectric constant of the tunneling insulting layer. The gate electrode is on the blocking insulating layer, and at least a portion of the gate electrode adjacent to the blocking layer has a higher work-function than polysilicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Hyun Lee, Jung-Dal Choi, Byoung-Woo Ye
  • Patent number: 7253468
    Abstract: Flash memory and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed. An illustrated example flash memory includes a first source formed within a semiconductor substrate; an epitaxial layer formed on an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate; an opening formed within the epitaxial layer to expose the first source; a floating gate device formed inside the opening; and a select gate device formed on the epitaxial layer at a distance from the floating gate device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Dongbu Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin Hyo Jung
  • Patent number: 7253469
    Abstract: A graded composition, high dielectric constant gate insulator is formed between a substrate and floating gate in a flash memory cell transistor. The gate insulator is comprised of amorphous germanium or a graded composition of germanium carbide and silicon carbide. If the composition of the gate insulator is closer to silicon carbide near the substrate, the electron barrier for hot electron injection will be lower. If the gate insulator is closer to the silicon carbide near the floating gate, the tunnel barrier can be lower at the floating gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard Forbes, Kie Y. Ahn
  • Patent number: 7253470
    Abstract: A split-gate flash memory device has a floating gate with a lateral recess at its bottom sidewall by adding an undercutting step. The split-gate flash memory device has a floating gate with a lateral recess on a substrate, an integrated dielectric layer lining the substrate, the sidewall and the lateral recess of the floating gate; a control gate on the integrated dielectric layer and covering at least part of the floating gate; and a dielectric spacer in the lateral recess between the integrated dielectric layer and the control gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Chang Liu, Chi-Hsin Lo, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Chi-Wei Ho
  • Patent number: 7253471
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure has a semiconductor substrate (3, 4), on/in whose top side a structure comprising semiconductor layers, metal layers and insulator layers (5) is applied/impressed. An as far as possible contiguous stabilization layer (6, 10) made of metal and/or passivation material is applied on the applied/impressed metal/semiconductor/insulator layer structure (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Franz Hirler
  • Patent number: 7253472
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device employing a selectivity poly deposition is disclosed. The disclosed method comprises depositing selectivity poly on a gate poly and source/drain regions of the silicon substrate, and forming salicide regions on the gate and active regions from the deposited selectivity poly. Accordingly, the present invention employing selectivity poly deposition can reduce or minimize contact surface resistance and improve the electrical characteristics of the semiconductor device by reducing the surface resistance in a miniature semiconductor device. In addition, because the size of the gate electrode is getting small, the present invention can be used as an essential part of the future generations of nano-scale technology. Moreover, mass semiconductor production systems can promptly employ the present invention with existing equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Dongbu Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Myung Jin Jung
  • Patent number: 7253473
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate of the first-type; a semiconductor region of the first-type formed on the substrate; a gate electrode a part of which is present within a trench selectively formed in part of the semiconductor region, and an extended top-end to have a wide width via a stepped-portion; a gate insulating-film formed between the trench and the gate electrode along a wall surface of the trench; a base layer of the second-type on the region via the film to enclose a side-wall except a bottom of the trench; a source region of the first-type adjacent to the film outside the trench in the vicinity of a top surface of the base layer; and an insulating-film formed partially between a bottom-surface of the top-end and a top-surface of the source region and formed to have a thickness larger than that of the gate insulating-film within the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Nakamura, Syotaro Ono
  • Patent number: 7253474
    Abstract: A quasi-vertical semiconductor component in which, by variation of the layout, the process or the wiring of inner cells, a compensation for a voltage drop along a buried layer is provided in order thus to ensure a similar operating point of the individual inner cells in the well. Therefore, the disadvantages brought about by a voltage drop in the buried layer are ultimately overcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Marie Denison, Hannes Estl
  • Patent number: 7253475
    Abstract: Transistor cells (2) of a power transistor component are in each case provided with a gate conductor structure that forms a gate electrode (52) in sections and is connected via a gate cell terminal (43) to a gate wiring line (81) led to a gate terminal (44) of the power transistor component (1). The gate conductor structure (5) has a desired fusible section (51) with an increased resistance, which is arranged within a cavity. The resistance of the desired fusible section (51) can be set in such a way that, in the event of a current loading of the magnitude of a value that is typical of a defective gate dielectric (41), the gate conductor section (5) is interrupted in the desired fusible section (51) and the gate electrode (52) is disconnected from the gate wiring line (81). The power transistor component can be produced with high yield and has a smaller number of failures during application operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Carsten Schäffer
  • Patent number: 7253476
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having an alternating conductivity type layer improves the tradeoff between the on-resistance and the breakdown voltage and facilitates increasing the current capacity by reducing the on resistance while maintaining a high breakdown voltage. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductive substrate region, through which a current flows in the ON-state of the device and that is depleted in the OFF-state. The semiconductive substrate region includes a plurality of vertical alignments of n-type buried regions 32 and a plurality of vertical alignments of p-type buried regions. The vertically aligned n-type buried regions and the vertically aligned p-type buried regions are alternately arranged horizontally. The n-type buried regions and p-type buried regions are formed by diffusing respective impurities into highly resistive n-type layers 32a laminated one by one epitaxially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuhiko Fujihira
  • Patent number: 7253477
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an edge termination structure is formed in a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type. The termination structure includes an isolation trench and a conductive layer in contact with the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer is formed over a semiconductor substrate of a second conductivity type. In a further embodiment, the isolation trench includes a plurality of shapes that comprise portions of the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gary H. Loechelt, Peter J. Zdebel, Gordon M. Grivna
  • Patent number: 7253478
    Abstract: The semiconductor device comprises: a semiconductor substrate (N+ substrate 110) containing a first conductivity type impurity implanted therein; a second conductivity type impurity-implanted layer (P+ implanted layer 114) at relatively high concentration, formed on the semiconductor substrate (N+ substrate 110); a second conductivity type impurity epitaxial layer (P? epitaxial layer 111) at relatively low concentration, formed on the second conductivity type impurity-implanted layer (P+ implanted layer 114); and a field effect transistor 100 (N-channel type lateral MOSFET 100) composed of a pair of impurity diffusion regions (N+ source diffusion layer 115 and N? drain layer 116) provided in the second conductivity type impurity epitaxial layer (P? epitaxial layer 111) and a gate electrode 117 provided over a region sandwiched with the pair of impurity diffusion regions (N+ source diffusion layer 115 and N? drain layer 116).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeki Tsubaki
  • Patent number: 7253479
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided with a substrate with a cavity inside, the substrate including a device formation area located above the cavity, a plurality of trenches formed in the substrate to communicate with the cavity and surround the device formation area, and an oxide film formed around each of the trenches to continuously surround the device formation area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Sugaya
  • Patent number: 7253480
    Abstract: A structure of an electrostatic discharge protection circuit, in which a buried layer is formed in the substrate of the electrostatic discharge protection circuit, and a sinker layer electrically connected to the buried layer and a drain is also formed therein. Thereby, when the electrostatic discharge protection circuit is activated, the current flows from a source through the buried layer and the sinker layer to the drain. The current flow path is remote from the gate dielectric layer to avoid damaging the gate dielectric by a large current, so as to improve the dielectric strength of the electrostatic discharge protection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Shiao-Shien Chen, Tsun-Lai Hsu, Tien-Hao Tang, Hua-Chou Tseng
  • Patent number: 7253481
    Abstract: A semiconductor device suffering fewer current crowding effects and a method of forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a gate over the substrate, a gate spacer along an edge of the gate and overlying a portion of the substrate, a diffusion region in the substrate wherein the diffusion region comprises a first portion and a second portion between the first portion and the gate spacer. The first portion of the diffusion region has a recessed top surface. The semiconductor device further includes a silicide layer on the diffusion region, and a cap layer over at least the silicide layer. The cap layer provides a strain to the channel region of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Hao Wang, Ta-Wei Wang, Ching-Wei Tsai
  • Patent number: 7253482
    Abstract: A field effect transistor (FET) device includes a gate conductor formed over a semiconductor substrate, a source region having a source extension that overlaps and extends under the gate conductor, and a drain region having a drain extension that overlaps and extends under the gate conductor only at selected locations along the width of the gate conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Huilong Zhu, Oleg Gluschenkov
  • Patent number: 7253483
    Abstract: A device structure and method for forming graded junction using a implant process. Embodiments of the invention comprise implanting ions into said silicon substrate to form doped regions adjacent to said gate. The orientation of the channel region in the Si crystal structure (channel direction <100>) in combination with the large angle tilt and twist implant process produce doped regions that have a more graded junction. The orientation and implant process creates more channeling of ions. The channeling of ions creates a more graded junction. When implemented on a HV MOS TX, the graded junction of the LDD increases the breakdown voltage. Another embodiment is a FET with an annular shaped channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing, LTD
    Inventors: Yisuo Li, Xiaohong Jiang, Francis Benistant
  • Patent number: 7253484
    Abstract: A multiple-channel semiconductor device has fully or partially depleted quantum wells and is especially useful in ultra large scale integration devices, such as CMOSFETs. Multiple channel regions are provided on a substrate with a gate electrode formed on the uppermost channel region, separated by a gate oxide, for example. The vertical stacking of multiple channels and the gate electrode permit increased drive current in a semiconductor device without increasing the silicon area occupied by the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: James N. Pan, John G. Pellerin, Jon Cheek
  • Patent number: 7253485
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for a CMOS semiconductor device in which gate electrodes are adjusted to have different work function values comprises forming an device region of a first and second conductivity type for forming first and second MOS semiconductor element devices, respectively, in a semiconductor substrate, forming a gate insulator, forming a laminated film comprising a molybdenum film and nitrogen containing film for doping nitrogen into molybdenum, doping nitrogen from the nitrogen containing film into molybdenum, processing the laminated film into gate electrodes of the first and second MOS semiconductor element devices, removing the nitrogen containing film from the gate electrodes of the second MOS semiconductor element device and covering the gate electrode of the first MOS semiconductor element devices with a nitrogen diffusion preventing film, and reducing the nitrogen concentration in molybdenum of the gate electrodes of the second MOS semiconductor element device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Semiconductor Technology Academic Research Center
    Inventor: Kentaro Shibahara
  • Patent number: 7253486
    Abstract: In one example embodiment, a transistor (100) is provided. The transistor (100) comprises a source (10), a gate (30), a drain (20), and a field plate (40) located between the gate (30) and the drain (20). The field plate (40) comprises a plurality of connection locations (47) and a plurality of electrical connectors (45) connecting said plurality of connection locations (47) to a potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. Green, Ellen Lan, Phillip Li
  • Patent number: 7253487
    Abstract: An integrated circuit chip is provided. The chip includes a silicon substrate, a circuit, a seal ring, a ground ring and a guard ring. The circuit is formed on the silicon substrate and has an input/output (I/O) pad. The seal ring is formed on the silicon substrate and surrounds the circuit and the I/O pad. The ground ring is formed between the silicon substrate and the I/O pad, and the ground ring is electrically connected with the seal ring. The guard ring is formed above the silicon substrate and surrounds the I/O pad, and the guard ring is electrically connected with the seal ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Airoha Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Sheng-Yow Chen
  • Patent number: 7253488
    Abstract: A piezo-TFT cantilever microelectromechanical system (MEMS) and associated fabrication processes are provided. The method comprises: providing a substrate, such as glass for example; forming thin-films overlying the substrate; forming a thin-film cantilever beam; and simultaneously forming a TFT within the cantilever beam. The TFT is can be formed least partially overlying a cantilever beam top surface, at least partially overlying a cantilever beam bottom surface, or embedded within the cantilever beam. In one example, forming thin-films on the substrate includes: selectively forming a first layer with a first stress level; selectively forming a first active Si region overlying the first layer; and selectively forming a second layer overlying the first layer with a second stress level. The thin-film cantilever beam is formed from the first and second layers, while the TFT source/drain (S/D) and channel regions are formed from the first active Si region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Changqing Zhan, Michael Barrett Wolfson, John W. Hartzell
  • Patent number: 7253489
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensing device and a fabrication method of the same featuring an easy planarization process for a substrate and a simplified procedure by the benefit of a slim planarizing substance. The magnetic field sensing device includes a substrate with a well of a predetermined depth and a plurality of grooves being formed thereon and a magnetic substance formed on an inner surface of the well to be located on an upper portion of the grooves. A first coil is formed in the grooves, a second coil is formed on an upper portion of the magnetic substance and is electrically connected to the first coil and insulating films are interposed between the first and the second coil and the magnetic substance for insulating the first and the second coil from the magnetic substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyung-won Na
  • Patent number: 7253490
    Abstract: A vertical Hall device includes: a substrate; a semiconductor region having a first conductive type and disposed in the substrate; and a magnetic field detection portion disposed in the semiconductor region. The magnetic field detection portion is capable of detecting a magnetic field parallel to a surface of the substrate in a case where a current flows through the magnetic field detection portion in a vertical direction of the substrate. The semiconductor region is a diffusion layer including a conductive impurity doped and diffused therein. The semiconductor region is made of diffusion layer so that the device has high design degree of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Oohira
  • Patent number: 7253491
    Abstract: A silicon light-receiving device is provided. In the device, a substrate is based on n-type or p-type silicon. A doped region is ultra-shallowly doped with the opposite type dopant to the dopant type of the substrate on one side of the substrate so that a photoelectric conversion effect for light in a wavelength range of 100-1100 nm is generated by a quantum confinement effect in the p-n junction with the substrate. First and second electrodes are formed on the substrate so as to be electrically connected to the doped region. Due to the ultra-shallow doped region on the silicon substrate, a quantum confinement effect is generated in the p-n junction. Even though silicon is used as a semiconductor material, the quantum efficiency of the silicon light-receiving device is far higher than that of a conventional solar cell, owing to the quantum confinement effect. The silicon light-receiving device can also be formed to absorb light in a particular or large wavelength band, and used as a solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eun-Kyung Lee, Byoung-Lyong Choi, Jun-Young Kim
  • Patent number: 7253492
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may comprise a semiconductor substrate having a top and a bottom surface, first and second insulating layer deposited on the top surface of the substrate, a runner arranged on top of the second insulator layer, a backside metal layer deposited on the bottom surface of the substrate, a first via structure extending from the bottom surface of the substrate to the top of the first insulating layer between the backside layer and the runner, and a second via extending from the top of the first insulating layer to the top of the second insulating layer between the first via and the runner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Gordon Ma, Carsten Ahrens
  • Patent number: 7253493
    Abstract: A memory device having decreased cell size and having transistors with increased channel widths. More specifically, pillars are formed in a substrate such that sidewalls are exposed. The sidewalls of the pillars and the top surface of the pillars are covered with a gate oxide and a polysilicon layer to form a channel through the pillars. The current path through the channel is approximately equal to twice the height of the pillar plus the width of the pillar. The pillars are patterned to form non-linear active area lines having angled segments. The polysilicon layer is patterned to from word lines that intersect the active area lines at the angled segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hongmei Wang, Chandra Mouli, Luan Tran
  • Patent number: 7253494
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a battery mounted integrated circuit device where an integrated circuit and a solid state battery are formed on the same substrate. In this battery mounted integrated circuit device, a first diffusion layer containing an N-type impurity is formed between a region of a semiconductor substrate where the solid state battery is mounted and a region of the semiconductor substrate where the integrated circuit is mounted, and a second diffusion layer containing an N-type impurity is formed below the region of the semiconductor substrate where the solid state battery is mounted, and overlaps with the first diffusion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Mino, Hironori Ishii, Masaya Ugaji, Yasuyuki Shibano
  • Patent number: 7253495
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) package comprises an IC wafer comprising a circuit. A “C”-shaped layer is arranged adjacent to the substrate and that creates an air gap between the “C”-shaped layer and the circuit of the IC wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.
    Inventor: Sehat Sutardja
  • Patent number: 7253496
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an antifuse cell includes a select transistor, a blocking transistor, and an antifuse. The select transistor allows for selection of the antifuse cell among an array of antifuse cells, while the blocking transistor limits the amount of voltage that may be directly applied to the select transistor. The antifuse may comprise a capacitor. In another embodiment, current used to program an antifuse cell is controlled using a programming current regulator. The programming current regulator may include components that form a current mirror with components of the antifuse cell to tightly control programming current through the antifuse. In yet another embodiment, dynamic current flowing through a substrate of an antifuse cell is limited using a current limiting resistor directly in series with an antifuse of the antifuse cell. The current limiting resistor minimizes or prevents excessive programming current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Fredrick B. Jenne, John Kizziar
  • Patent number: 7253497
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes one or more inductors that have magnetic flux lines substantially parallel to a generally horizontal plane of the IC. The inductor is formed in a plurality of conductor layers separated by insulating layers of the IC. Regions of highest magnetic flux density of the inductor may preferably be located near the edge of the IC. Additionally, the inductor may preferably be segmented. The over-all inductance may preferably be controlled by turning on and off selected inductors or inductor segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Hemanshu D. Bhatt, Jan Fure, Derryl D. J. Allman
  • Patent number: 7253498
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to bipolar transistors with geometry optimized for device performance and various methods of making same. In one illustrative embodiment, the device includes a substrate, an intrinsic base region formed in the substrate, a continuous emitter region formed within the intrinsic base region, the emitter region having a plurality of substantially hexagonal shaped openings defined therein, and a plurality of extrinsic base regions formed in the substrate, wherein each of the extrinsic base regions is positioned within an area defined by one of the plurality of substantially hexagonal shaped openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Legerity Inc.
    Inventor: Ranadeep Dutta
  • Patent number: 7253499
    Abstract: A III-V group nitride system semiconductor self-standing substrate has III-V group nitride system semiconductor single crystal with a hexagonal crystal system crystalline structure. The substrate is provided with a polished surface at every position of which crystal orientation perpendicular to the substrate surface is inclined 0.09 degrees or more from the C-axis direction of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Cable, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masatomo Shibata
  • Patent number: 7253500
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer includes (a) a first principal side and a second principal side opposite to each other, (b) a first bevel contour and a second bevel contour provided at an outer periphery of the first principal side and the second principal side, (c) a first recess formed in the first bevel contour, and (d) a first type of ID mark configured by a protruding dot provided on a bottom face of the first recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masao Iwase, Soichi Nadahara
  • Patent number: 7253501
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a nonconductive cap layer comprising a first metal element. The nonconductive cap layer comprises a first metal nitride, a first metal oxide, or a first metal oxynitride over conductive lines and an insulating material between the conductive lines. An interface region may be formed over the top surface of the conductive lines, the interface region including the metal element of the cap layer. The cap layer prevents the conductive material in the conductive lines from migrating or diffusing into adjacent subsequently formed insulating material layers. The cap layer may also function as an etch stop layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsien-Ming Lee, Jing-Cheng Lin, Shing-Chyang Pan, Ching-Hua Hsieh, Chao-Hsien Peng, Cheng-Lin Huang, Li-Lin Su, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Patent number: 7253502
    Abstract: A circuitized substrate comprised of at least one dielectric material having an electrically conductive pattern thereon. At least part of the pattern is used as the first layer of an organic memory device which further includes at least a second dielectric layer over the pattern and a second pattern aligned with respect to the lower part for achieving several points of contact to thus form the device. The substrate is preferably combined with other dielectric-circuit layered assemblies to form a multilayered substrate on which can be positioned discrete electronic components (e.g., a logic chip) coupled to the internal memory device to work in combination therewith. An electrical assembly capable of using the substrate is also provided, as is an information handling system adapted for using one or more such electrical assemblies as part thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Endicott Interconnect Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Subahu D. Desai, How T. Lin, John M. Lauffer, Voya R. Markovich, David L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7253503
    Abstract: Integrated circuit device packages and substrates for making the packages are disclosed. One embodiment of a substrate includes a planar sheet of polyimide having a first surface, an opposite second surface, and apertures between the first and second surfaces. A planar metal die pad and planar metal are attached to the second surface of the polyimide sheet. The apertures in the polyimide sheet are juxtaposed to the leads. A package made using the substrate includes an integrated circuit device mounted above the first surface of the polyimide sheet opposite the die pad. Bond wires are connected between the integrated circuit device and the leads through the apertures in the polyimide sheet. An encapsulant material covers the first surface of the polyimide sheet, the integrated circuit device, the bone wires, and the apertures. The die pad and leads are exposed at an exterior surface of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Amkor Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Fusaro, Robert F. Darveaux, Pablo Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 7253504
    Abstract: An integrated circuit package includes a substrate having a central axis dividing the substrate into an upper half and a lower half and an integrated circuit coupled to the substrate. A layer is provided within the substrate in the lower half thereof that is configured to resist warpage of the integrated circuit package, the layer provided a distance from the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Zhai, Jinsu Kwon, Richard C. Blish, II
  • Patent number: 7253505
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an IC substrate provided with over voltage protection functions and thus, a plurality of over voltage protection devices are provided on a single substrate to protect an IC chip directly. According to the present invention, there is no need to install protection devices at respective I/O ports on a printed circuit board to prevent the IC devices from damage by surge pulses. Therefore, the costs to design circuits are reduced, the limited space is efficiently utilized, and unit costs to install respective protection devices are lowered down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: INPAQ Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Yuan Lee
  • Patent number: 7253506
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a lead frame substrate adapted to receive semiconductor die and multiple passive components. The lead frame substrate is preferably formed from a single piece of electrically conductive material, such as copper, and may be mounted within a lead frame package or directly onto a circuit board. The lead frame substrate includes mounting surfaces adapted to receive the semiconductor dice and passive components. The mounting surfaces are linked together by temporary and/or permanent connection bars. A method to manufacture the lead frame package includes, among other steps, forming a lead frame substrate, applying a molding compound to the lead frame substrate to fix each mounting surface and connection bar in place, removing the temporary connection bars, mounting the semiconductor components on the lead frame substrate, and applying a packaging material over the lead frame substrate to encapsulate the semiconductor components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Power-One, Inc.
    Inventor: David Keating
  • Patent number: 7253507
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor element and a conductive member. The semiconductor element has a semiconductor substrate having first and second major surfaces; a semiconductor layer formed on the first major surface of the semiconductor substrate; a plurality of trenches formed on the semiconductor layer, the trenches being parallel to each other and extending to a first direction; filling material filling the trenches; a first electrode pad provided on the semiconductor layer and connected electrically to a first major electrode; a second major electrode provided on the second major surface; and a gate electrode pad provided on the semiconductor layer and connected to a gate electrode which controls conduction between the first major electrode and the second major electrode. The conductive member is connected to at least one of the first electrode pad and the gate electrode pad via a first contact area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shigeo Kouzuki, Satoshi Aida, Satoshi Yanagisawa, Masaru Izumisawa, Hironori Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 7253508
    Abstract: A semiconductor package includes a flip chip mounted on a plurality of leads and encapsulated by a molding compound. The upper surfaces of the leads includes a plurality of bump-bonding regions at the fan-in ends of the leads, and the lower surfaces of the leads include a plurality of outer connecting regions at the fan-out ends of the leads. A plurality of indentations are formed at the upper surfaces of the leads and adjacent to the corresponding bump-bonding regions so as to avoid solder contamination on the leads. After molding, the indentations are filled with the molding compound. Preferably, the indentations have a reversed “?”-shaped profile to prevent bumps of the flip chip from excessively wetting over the other portions of the leads to firmly fix the fan-in ends of the leads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Chien Liu, Hsueh-Te Wang, Meng-Jen Wang, Chi-Hao Chiu, Tai-Yuan Huang
  • Patent number: 7253509
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a substrate, an external terminal provided on the substrate, an internal wiring pattern electrically connected to the external terminal, a semiconductor chip mounted on the substrate and electrically connected to the internal wiring pattern, and an antenna pattern. The antenna pattern provided at each of adjacent two corner portions of the substrate and is grounded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Minori Kajimoto, Osamu Ikeda, Masaki Momodomi
  • Patent number: 7253510
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a BGA solder ball interconnection to an outer conductive layer of a laminated circuit assembly having an underlying circuit layer. The invention includes a raised BGA solder ball pad substantially co-planar with the outer conductive layer, the raised pad having a raised face and a plurality of vertical conductive walls and a BGA solder ball having an average diameter of greater than the width of the raised face, the BGA solder ball being adhered to the raised face and to a substantial portion of the vertical conductive walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Marlan Harvey
  • Patent number: 7253511
    Abstract: A multipackage module has multiple die of various types and having various functions and, in some embodiments, the module includes a digital processor, an analog device, and memory. A first die, having a comparatively large footprint, is mounted onto first die attach region on a surface of a first package substrate. A second die, having a significantly smaller footprint, is mounted upon the surface of the first die, on a second die attach region toward one edge of the first die. The first die is electrically connected by wire bonds to conductive traces in the die-attach side of the substrate. The second die is electrically connected by wire bonds to the first package substrate, and may additionally be electrically connected by wire bonds to the first die. In some embodiments a spacer is mounted upon the first die, on a spacer attach region of the surface of the first die that is not within the die attach region, and which may be generally near a margin of the first die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: ChipPAC, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcos Karnezos, Flynn Carson, Youngcheol Kim