With Particular Signal Path Connections Patents (Class 257/208)
  • Patent number: 7826245
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory includes a memory cell array area having a memory cell, a word line contact area adjacent to the memory cell array area, a word line arranged straddling the memory cell array area and the word line contact area, a contact hole provided on the word line in the word line contact area, and a word line driver connected to the word line via the contact hole. A size of the contact hole is larger than a width of the word line, and the lowest parts of the contact hole exist on a position lower than a top surface of the word line and higher than a bottom surface of the word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshiko Kato, Mitsuhiro Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20100270593
    Abstract: A 3D memory device is based on an array of electrode pillars and a plurality of electrode planes that intersect the electrode pillars at interface regions that include memory elements that comprise a programmable element and a rectifier. The electrode pillars can be selected using two-dimensional decoding, and the plurality of electrode planes can be selected using decoding on a third dimension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiang-Lan Lung, Hang-Ting Lue
  • Patent number: 7821040
    Abstract: A thin film transistor substrate and fabricating method thereof by which the size of the thin film transistor substrate is reduced by constructing data signal supply lines, each of which supplies a pixel data voltage to a data line, with different metal lines, respectively includes gate and data lines crossing each other on a substrate, with a gate insulating layer disposed therebetween, a thin film transistor formed on each intersection between the gate and data lines, a display area on which a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor is formed, a first data signal supply line comprising a first conductive layer connected to the data line in a non-display area located at a periphery of the display area, and a second data signal supply line alternating with the first data signal supply line, with the gate insulating layer disposed therebetween, the second data signal supply line comprising a second conductive layer connected to the data line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seok-Je Seong, Ki-Hun Jeong, Jin-Young Choi
  • Publication number: 20100259960
    Abstract: A three-dimensional array especially adapted for memory elements that reversibly change a level of electrical conductance in response to a voltage difference being applied across them. Memory elements are formed across a plurality of planes positioned different distances above a semiconductor substrate. Bit lines to which the memory elements of all planes are connected are oriented vertically from the substrate and through the plurality of planes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventor: George Samachisa
  • Patent number: 7812405
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first interlayer insulating film formed above a semiconductor substrate, a first source line formed on the first interlayer insulating film, a second interlayer insulating film formed on the first source line, a plurality of bit lines formed on the second interlayer insulating film so as to extend in a direction, the bit lines being arranged at same width and same width, a third interlayer insulating film formed above the bit lines, a second source line formed on the third interlayer insulating film, and a source shunt line formed between the second and third interlayer insulating films, the source shunt line electrically connecting the first and second source lines to each other, the source shunt line being located between the bit lines so as to extend in the same direction as the bit lines, the source shunt line including a width same as the bit lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Atsuhiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7812375
    Abstract: In the non-volatile memory device, a first isolation layer is formed to have a plurality of depressions each having a predetermined depth from an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate. A fin type first active region is defined by the first isolation layer and has one or more inflected portions at its sidewalls exposed from the first isolation layer, where the first active region is divided into an upper part and a lower part by the inflected portions and a width of the upper part is narrower than that of the lower part. A tunneling insulation layer is formed on the first active region. A storage node layer is formed on the tunneling insulation layer. Also, a blocking insulation layer is formed on the storage node layer, and a control gate electrode is formed on the blocking insulation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Hyun Lee, Tea-Kwang Yu, Jong-Sun Sel, Ju-Hyung Kim, Byeong-In Choe
  • Publication number: 20100244102
    Abstract: In an integrated circuit device, element power supply lines connected to a circuit containing a plurality of cells, element ground lines connected thereto, a trunk power supply line connected to each of the element power supply lines, and a trunk ground line connected to each of the element ground lines are provided in a first wiring layer. A branch power supply line connected to the trunk power supply line and a branch ground line connected to the trunk ground line are provided in an upper wiring layer located above the first wiring layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keiichi KUSUMOTO
  • Patent number: 7804111
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a semiconductor device including signal-transmission interconnections preferable for transmitting high frequency signal and capability to adjust characteristics of the above signal-transmission interconnections. A semiconductor device according to the present invention consists of a signal-transmission interconnection 20 for transmission of signals, a MOS capacitance element 10 having a gate electrode connected to the signal-transmission interconnection 20, a first voltage-applying interconnection 30 connected to a source and a drain of the MOS capacitance element 10 and applying a voltage to the source and the drain of the MOS capacitance element 10, a second voltage-applying interconnection 40 connected to a well of the MOS capacitance element 10, and applying a voltage to the well of said first MOS capacitance element 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Tama-TLO Ltd.
    Inventors: Kanji Otsuka, Munekazu Takano, Fumio Mizuno, Saburo Yokokura, Tsuneo Ito, Yuko Tanba, Yutaka Akiyama
  • Patent number: 7800137
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming electrically conductive material between line constructions associated with a peripheral region or a pitch region of a semiconductor substrate. The electrically conductive material can be incorporated into an electrically-grounded shield, and/or can be configured to create a magnetic field bias. Also, the conductive material can have electrically isolated segments that are utilized as electrical jumpers for connecting circuit elements. The invention also includes semiconductor constructions comprising the electrically conductive material between line constructions associated with one or both of the pitch region and the peripheral region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Fischer, Terrence B. McDaniel
  • Patent number: 7795643
    Abstract: A cell array includes a semiconductor substrate including an active region comprising a first region, a second region, and a transition region, the second region being separated from the first region by the transition region, wherein a top surface of the second region is at a different level than a top surface of the first region. The cell array also includes a plurality of word lines crossing over the first region. The cell array also includes a selection line crossing over the active region, wherein at least a portion of the selection line is located over the transition region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-Sun Sel, Jung-Dal Choi, Chang-Seok Kang, Chang-Hyun Lee, Jang-Sik Lee, Vie-Na Kim
  • Patent number: 7786512
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory array includes a multiplicity of memory cells, each of whose area is less than 4 F2 per cell (where F is a minimum feature size), and periphery elements to control the memory cells. The present invention also includes a non-volatile memory array which includes word lines and bit lines generally perpendicular to the word lines, with a word line pitch of less than 2 F. In one embodiment, the word lines are made of polysilicon spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Saifun Semiconductors Ltd.
    Inventors: Ilan Bloom, Boaz Eitan, Rustom Irani
  • Patent number: 7781804
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory disposed on a substrate includes active regions, a memory array, and contacts. The active regions defined by isolation structures disposed in the substrate are extended in a first direction. The memory array is disposed on the substrate and includes memory cell columns, control gate lines and select gate lines. Each of the memory cell columns includes memory cells connected to one another in series and a source/drain region disposed in the substrate outside the memory cells. The contacts are disposed on the substrate at a side of the memory array and arranged along a second direction. The second direction crosses over the first direction. Each of the contacts extends across the isolation structures and connects the source/drain regions in the substrate at every two of the adjacent active regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Hung-Mine Tsai, Ching-Nan Hsiao, Chung-Lin Huang
  • Patent number: 7768117
    Abstract: A microelectronic unit has a structure including a microelectronic element such as a semiconductor chip with a first contact disposed remote from the periphery of the structure. The unit further includes first and second redistribution conductive pads disposed near a periphery of the structure and a conductive path incorporating first and second conductors extending toward the first contact, these conductors being connected to one another adjacent the first contact. The conductive path is connected to the first contact, and can provide signal routing from the periphery of the unit to the contact without the need for long stubs. A package may include a plurality of such units, which may be stacked on one another with the redistribution conductive pads of the various units connected to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Tessera, Inc.
    Inventors: Belgacem Haba, Richard Dewitt Crisp, Masud Beroz
  • Patent number: 7759704
    Abstract: An integrated circuit including a memory cell array comprises transistors being arranged along parallel active area lines, bitlines, the bitlines being arranged so that an individual one intersects a plurality of the active area lines to form bitline-contacts, respectively, the bitlines being formed as wiggled lines, wordlines being arranged so that an individual one of the wordlines intersects a plurality of the active area lines, and an individual one of the wordlines intersects a plurality of the bitlines, wherein neighboring bitline-contacts, each of which is connected to one of the active area lines, are connected with different bitlines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Qimonda AG
    Inventors: Martin Popp, Till Schloesser
  • Publication number: 20100176422
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate; a memory cell array on the semiconductor substrate, the memory cell array comprising a plurality of memory cells capable of electrically storing data; a sense amplifier configured to detect the data stored in at least one of the memory cells; a cell source driver electrically connected to source side terminals of the memory cells and configured to supply a source potential to at least one of the source side terminals of the memory cells; a first wiring configured to electrically connect between at least one of the source side terminals of the memory cells and the cell source driver; and a second wiring formed in a same wiring layer as the first wiring, the second wiring being insulated from the first wiring and being electrically connected to the sense amplifier, wherein the first wiring and the second wiring have a plurality of through holes provided at a predetermined interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Koichi FUKUDA, Dai NAKAMURA, Yasuhiko MATSUNAGA
  • Patent number: 7756505
    Abstract: To realize a software radio processing with a reduced circuit area by hardware and software which can process transmission and reception, or synchronization and demodulation in time division. There are provided a circuit DRC that can dynamically change a configuration with a structure that can change the configuration at a high speed, a general processor, and an interface for connection with an external device such as an AD converter or a DA converter. Software radio is realized by using a software radio chip that conducts plural different processing such as transmission and reception, or synchronization and demodulation in time division. The different processing during the radio signal processing can be conducted in time division. As a result, the software radio can be realized with a circuit of a reduced area in a software radio system that allocates regions of an FPGA to the respective processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tanaka, Takanobu Tsunoda, Tetsuroo Honmura, Manabu Kawabe, Masashi Takada
  • Patent number: 7755110
    Abstract: An integrated semiconductor circuit has a regular array of logic function blocks (L) and a regular array of wiring zones (X) corresponding thereto. The wiring lines in at least one wiring layer of a wiring zone (X) are realized as line segments that are continuous within the wiring zone and are interrupted at zone boundaries. Furthermore, the semiconductor circuit comprises driver cells that surround a logic cell of the logic function block in an L-shaped manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Jörg Gliese, Winfried Kamp, Siegmar Köppe, Michael Scheppler
  • Publication number: 20100172197
    Abstract: A Three-Dimensional Structure (3DS) Memory allows for physical separation of the memory circuits and the control logic circuit onto different layers such that each layer may be separately optimized. One control logic circuit suffices for several memory circuits, reducing cost. Fabrication of 3DS memory involves thinning of the memory circuit to less than 50 ?m in thickness and bonding the circuit to a circuit stack while still in wafer substrate form. Fine-grain high density inter-layer vertical bus connections are used. The 3DS memory manufacturing method enables several performance and physical size efficiencies, and is implemented with established semiconductor processing techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventor: Glenn J. Leedy
  • Publication number: 20100171152
    Abstract: A very high density field programmable memory is disclosed. An array is formed vertically above a substrate using several layers, each layer of which includes vertically fabricated memory cells. The cell in an N level array may be formed with N+1 masking steps plus masking steps needed for contacts. Maximum use of self alignment techniques minimizes photolithographic limitations. In one embodiment the peripheral circuits are formed in a silicon substrate and an N level array is fabricated above the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Mark G. Johnson, Thomas H. Lee, James M. Cleeves
  • Patent number: 7745919
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a plurality of semiconductor chips and a plurality of through-line groups is disclosed. Each of the through-line groups consists of a unique number of through-lines. The numbers associated with the through-line groups are mutually coprime to each other. When one of the through-lines is selected for the each through-line group, one of the semiconductor chip is designated by a combination of the selected through-lines of the plurality of the through-line groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Kayoko Shibata, Hiroaki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7741717
    Abstract: A metal line of a semiconductor device comprising contact plugs, a plurality of first trenches, first metal lines, a plurality of second trenches, and second metal lines. The contact plugs are formed over a semiconductor substrate and are insulated from each other by a first insulating layer. The plurality of first trenches are formed in the first insulating layer and are connected to first contact plugs of the contact plugs. The first metal lines are formed within the first trenches and are connected to the first contact plugs. The plurality of second trenches are formed over the first metal lines and the first insulating layer and comprise a second insulating layer connected to second contact plugs of the contact plugs. The second metal lines are formed within the second trenches and are connected to the second contact plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Young Ok Hong, Dong Hwan Lee
  • Publication number: 20100148220
    Abstract: In a stack array structure for a semiconductor memory device, a first semiconductor layer includes a plurality of first cell strings, and a second semiconductor including a plurality of second cell strings. Bit-line contact plugs are configured to couple a bit-line to two adjacent first cell strings aligned in series in a bit-line direction, and to further couple the bit-line to two adjacent second cell strings respectively located over the two adjacent first cell strings. Common source line contact plugs are configured to couple a common source line to the two adjacent first cell strings and the two adjacent second cell strings. Pocket p-well contact plugs are located at positions corresponding to a layout of the bit-line plugs and/or common source line plugs, and are configured to couple a pocket p-well line to the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dae-Seok Byeon
  • Publication number: 20100148219
    Abstract: A technique permitting reduction in size of a standard cell is provided. In a semiconductor integrated circuit device comprising a first tap formed in a first direction to supply a power-supply potential, a second tap formed in the first direction to supply a power-supply potential and positioned so as to confront the first tap in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a standard cell formed between the first and second taps, a cell height (distance) between the center of the first tap and that of the second tap both in the second direction is set to ((an integer+0.5)×a wiring pitch of the second-layer wiring lines) or [(an integer+0.25)×a wiring pitch of the second-layer wiring lines].
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventor: Hiroharu SHIMIZU
  • Patent number: 7737473
    Abstract: In an integrated circuit device, element power supply lines connected to a circuit containing a plurality of cells, element ground lines connected thereto, a trunk power supply line connected to each of the element power supply lines, and a trunk ground line connected to each of the element ground lines are provided in a first wiring layer. A branch power supply line connected to the trunk power supply line and a branch ground line connected to the trunk ground line are provided in an upper wiring layer located above the first wiring layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Keiichi Kusumoto
  • Patent number: 7737558
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device having a high-frequency interconnect, first dummy conductor patterns, an interconnect, and second dummy conductor patterns. The first dummy conductor patterns are arranged in the vicinity of the high-frequency interconnect, and the second dummy conductor patterns are arranged in the vicinity of the interconnect. The minimum value of distance between the high-frequency interconnect and the first dummy conductor patterns is larger than the minimum value of distance between the interconnect and the second dummy conductor patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Yasutaka Nakashiba
  • Patent number: 7728362
    Abstract: Using gate arrays to create capacitive structures within an integrated circuit are disclosed. Embodiments comprise having a gate array of P-type field effect transistors (P-fets) and N-type field effect transistors (N-fets) in an integrated circuit design, coupling drains and sources for one or more P-fets and gates for one or more N-fets to a power supply ground, and coupling gates for the one or more P-fets and the drains and sources for one or more N-fets to a positive voltage of the power supply. In some embodiments, source-to-drain leakage current for capacitive apparatuses of P-fets and N-fets are minimized by biasing one or more P-fets and one or more N-fets to the positive voltage and the ground, respectively. In other embodiments, the capacitive structures may be implemented using fusible elements to isolate the capacitive structures in case of shorts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony Correale, Jr., Benjamin J. Bowers, Douglass T. Lamb, Nishith Rohatgi
  • Patent number: 7728435
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a first insulation layer, a second insulation layer, a first barrier film, a second barrier film, a diffusion layer. The device further comprises an upper contact hole, a lower contact hole, and a contact plug. The upper contact hole penetrates the second insulation layer and has a bottom in the second barrier film. The bottom has a width greater than a trench made in the first insulation layer, as measured in a direction crossing the widthwise direction of the trench. The lower contact hole penetrates the first insulation layer and first barrier film, communicates with the first contact hole via the trench and is provided on the diffusion layer. The upper portion of the lower contact hole has the same width as the trench. The contact plug is provided in the upper contact hole and lower contact hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Makoto Sakuma, Yasuhiko Matsunaga, Fumitaka Arai, Kikuko Sugimae
  • Publication number: 20100127309
    Abstract: A capacitor in an integrated circuit (“IC”) has a first node plate link formed in a first metal layer of the IC electrically connected to and forming a portion of a first node of the capacitor extending along a first axis (y) and a second node plate link formed in a second metal layer of the IC extending along the axis and connected to the first node plate with a via. A third node plate link formed in the first metal layer is electrically connected to and forming a portion of a second node of the capacitor and extends along a second axis (x) of the node plate array transverse to the first node plate link, proximate to an end of the first node plate link and overlying a portion of the second node plate link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan Lodewijk de Jong, Steven Baier
  • Patent number: 7723755
    Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor device having a buried word line structure in which a gate electrode and a word line may be buried within a substrate to reduce the height of the semiconductor device and to reduce the degradation of the oxide layer caused by chlorine ions from the application of a TiN metal gate, and a method of fabricating the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device may comprise a semiconductor substrate defined by a device isolation layer and comprising an active region including a trench and one or more recess channels, a gate isolation layer on the surface of the trench, a gate electrode layer on the surface of the gate isolation layer, and a word line by which the trench may be buried on the surface of the gate electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Si-hyung Lee, Sang-ryol Yang, Myoung-bum Lee, Ki-hyun Hwang
  • Patent number: 7723850
    Abstract: A method of forming air gaps within a solid structure is provided. In this method, a sacrificial material is covered by an overlayer. The sacrificial material is then removed through the overlayer to leave an air gap. Such air gaps are particularly useful as insulation between metal lines in an electronic device such as an electrical interconnect structure. Structures containing air gaps are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials LLC
    Inventors: Michael K. Gallagher, Dana A. Gronbeck, Timothy G. Adams, Jeffrey M. Calvert
  • Patent number: 7723806
    Abstract: Memory cells and semiconductor memory devices using the same. A substrate comprises two cross-coupled inverters and first and second pass-gate transistors formed therein, the inverters having a data storage node and a date bar storage node coupled to first terminals of the first and second pass-gate transistors. A first conductive layer is disposed on the substrate and comprises a bit line and a complementary bit line electrically connected to second terminals of the first and second pass-gate transistors respectively. A second conductive layer is disposed on the first conductive layer and comprises two first power lines covering the bit line and the complementary bit line respectively, wherein the first power lines, the bit line and the complementary bit line are parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jhon-Jhy Liaw
  • Patent number: 7723727
    Abstract: Disclosed are a liquid crystal display and a substrate for the same. The substrate comprises first wires formed in one direction on the substrate; second wires intersecting and insulated from the first wires; pixel electrodes formed in pixel regions defined by the first wires and the second wires; and switching elements connected to the first wires, the second wires and the pixel electrodes, wherein an interval between two adjacent second wires has a predetermined dimension that repeatedly varies from one set of adjacent second wires to the next, and a side of the pixel electrodes adjacent to the second wires is shaped in a pattern identical to the second wires such that the pixel electrodes have a wide portion and a narrow portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jang-Kun Song
  • Publication number: 20100123170
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a transistor, a conductive pad, and a contact. The conductive pad is electrically connected to the transistor. The conductive pad may include, but is not limited to, a first region and a second region. The contact is electrically connected to the conductive pad. At least a main part of the first region overlaps the transistor in plan view. At least a main part of the second region does not overlap the transistor in plan view. At least a main part of the contact overlaps the second region in plan view. The at least main part of the contact does not overlap the first region in plan view. The at least main part of the contact does not overlap the transistor in plan view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Inventor: Hiroyuki FUJIMOTO
  • Patent number: 7718448
    Abstract: A number of modified lateral DMOS (LDMOS) transistor arrays are formed and tested to determine if a measured value, such as a series on-resistance, substrate current, breakdown voltage, and reliability, satisfies process alignment requirements. The modified LDMOS transistor arrays are similar to standard LDMOS transistor arrays such that the results of the modified LDMOS transistor arrays can be used to predict the results of the standard LDMOS transistor arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Brisbin, Prasad Chaparala
  • Patent number: 7719114
    Abstract: An edit structure is disclosed that allows the input of a logic gate to be changed by modifying any one of the metal and via masks that are used to form the metal interconnect structure. As a result, a first permanent logic state provided by a tie-in circuit can be changed to a second permanent logic state by modifying any one of the metal and via masks that are used to form the metal interconnect structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Richard J. Doyon, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100117121
    Abstract: A memory comprising at least one memory cell operationally connected to a bit line, a source line and a word line. The memory cell comprises a substrate having a first source contact, a second source contact, and a bit contact between the first source contact and the second source contact, a first transistor gate electrically connecting the first source contact and the bit contact and a second transistor gate electrically connecting the bit contact and the second source contact. The word line electrically connects the first transistor gate to the second transistor gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Roger Glenn Rolbiecki, Andrew Carter, Yong Lu
  • Patent number: 7709301
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a substrate having a semiconducting surface (605) and a plurality of standard cells arranged in a plurality of rows including at least a first row (610) and a second row (615) immediately above the first row. The first row (610) include at least a first decap filler cell (602) including a first active area (612) and a field dielectric outside the first active area (612) having a portion with a full field dielectric thickness portion 621and a portion with a thinned field dielectric (622), and at least a first MOS transistor (618) having a gate electrode (619) on a thick gate dielectric (613) on the first active area (612) connected as a decoupling capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Patrick W. Bosshart
  • Patent number: 7709861
    Abstract: Various systems and methods for implementing multi-mode semiconductor devices are discussed herein. For example, a multi-mode semiconductor device is disclosed that includes a device package with a number of package pins. In addition, the device includes a semiconductor die or substrate with at least two IO buffers. One of the IO buffers is located a distance from a package pin and another of the IO buffers is located another distance from the package pin. One of the IO buffers includes first bond pad electrically coupled to a circuit implementing a first interface type and a floating bond pad, and the other IO buffer includes a second bond pad electrically coupled to a circuit implementing a second interface type. In some cases, the floating bond pad is electrically coupled to the circuit implementing the second interface type via a conductive interconnect, and the floating bond pad is electrically coupled to the package pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Parag Madhani, Paul F. Barnes, Donald E. Hawk, Jr., Kandaswamy Prabakaran
  • Publication number: 20100096672
    Abstract: Embodiments concern contacts for use in integrated circuits, which have a reduced likelihood of shorting to unrelated portions of an overlying conductive layer due to contact misalignment. Embodiments for forming the integrated circuit include performing a first etching process to pattern the conductive layer, where the etching compound used in the first etching process is relatively selective to the conductive layer's materials. Embodiments also include performing a second, contact related etching process that removes a portion of any misaligned contacts that were exposed by the first etching process, where the etching compound used in the second etching process is selective to the contacts' materials. The embodiments can be used to form vias and other interconnect structures as well. The modified contacts and vias are adapted for use in conjunction with memory cells and apparatus incorporating such memory cells, as well as other integrated circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventor: Philip J. Ireland
  • Patent number: 7692253
    Abstract: In the present resistive memory array, included are a substrate, a plurality of source regions in the substrate, and a conductor connecting the plurality of source regions, the conductor being positioned adjacent to the substrate to form, with the plurality of source regions, a common source. In one embodiment, the conductor is an elongated metal body of T-shaped cross-section. In another embodiment, the conductor is a plate-like metal body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventor: Masao Taguchi
  • Patent number: 7692215
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to mixed-scale electronic interfaces, included in integrated circuits and other electronic devices, that provide for dense electrical interconnection between microscale features of a predominantly microscale or submicroscale layer and nanoscale features of a predominantly nanoscale layer. The predominantly nanoscale layer, in one embodiment of the present invention, comprises a tessellated pattern of submicroscale or microscale pads densely interconnected by nanowire junctions between sets of parallel, closely spaced nanowire bundles. The predominantly submicroscale or microscale layer includes pins positioned complementarily to the submicroscale or microscale pads in the predominantly nanoscale layer. Pins can be configured according to any periodic tiling of the microscale layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: R. Stanley Williams, Gregory S. Snider, Duncan Stewart
  • Patent number: 7694260
    Abstract: An intermediate wiring layer, lowermost vias and uppermost vias of a semiconductor integrated circuit are disposed within a zone of wiring tracks, which are superposed by wiring traces of an uppermost wiring layer and wiring traces of a lowermost wiring layer, as seen from the direction normal to the plane. The lowermost vias are disposed so as to fit in a 4-row, 1-column rectangle, and the uppermost vias are disposed so as to fit in a 2-row, 2-column rectangle. The center of a via unit, which comprises the uppermost vias, as seen from the direction normal to the plane is disposed at the intersecting portion of the lowermost wiring layer and uppermost wiring layer. The center of a via unit, which comprises the lower vias, as seen from the direction normal to the plane is offset by a prescribed amount from the center of the via unit, which comprises the uppermost vias, as seen from the direction normal to the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Tamiya
  • Patent number: 7692216
    Abstract: A plurality of gate lines formed on an insulating substrate, each gate line including a pad for connection to an external device; a plurality of data lines intersecting the gate lines and insulated from the gate lines, each data line including a pad for connection to an external device; and a conductor overlapping at least one of the gate lines and the data lines are included. An overlapping distance of the gate lines or the data lines and a width of the conductor decreases as the length of the gate lines or the data lines increases. Accordingly, the difference in the RC delays due to the difference of the length of the signal lines is compensated to be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong-Woong Chang
  • Publication number: 20100078685
    Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor memory device including: a first wiring layer; a second wiring layer; a third wiring layer; a memory array region; a first gate array region being formed at a region at which the first wiring layer, the second wiring layer and the third wiring layer can be used in wiring of the plural unit cells; and a second gate array region being formed at a region at which two wiring layers that are the first wiring layer and the second wiring layer can be used in wiring of the plural memory cells, and the plural unit cells are arrayed so as to be separated at an interval needed for placement, by using the first wiring layer, of wiring that should be placed by using the third wiring layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: OKI SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Satoshi MIYAZAKI
  • Patent number: 7679108
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory includes a plurality of active regions; a plurality of bit line contacts disposed on respective active regions; a plurality of first local lines formed in an island shape and in contact with upper surfaces of the plurality of bit line contacts; a plurality of first via contacts in contact with the upper surfaces of the plurality of first local lines and aligned in a direction parallel to the active regions; a first bit line in contact with one of the plurality of first via contacts and extending in a direction parallel to the active regions; and a plurality of second via contacts arranged above the first via contacts that are not in contact with the first bit line through respective second local lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Matsunaga, Fumitaka Arai, Makoto Sakuma
  • Publication number: 20100059796
    Abstract: A structure and a method of manufacturing a three dimensional memory using a number of bit line masks that is less than the number of device layers. A first bit line mask is used to form a first bit line layer in a first device level. The first bit line layer comprises first bit lines. The first bit line mask is also used to form a second bit line layer in a second device level. The second bit line layer comprises second bit lines. The first bit lines and the second bit lines have different electrical connections to a bit line connection level despite employing the same mask pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Roy E. Scheuerlein
  • Publication number: 20100052017
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a first block having first memory cells and first select transistors, a second block having second memory cells and second select transistors, and arranged adjacent to the first block in a first direction, the second select transistor being arranged to face the first select transistor and commonly having a diffusion region with the first select transistor, a first interconnection layer provided on the diffusion region between the first and second blocks and extending in a second direction, and a second interconnection layer having a first portion provided in contact with an upper portion of the first interconnection layer and extending to a portion outside the first interconnection layer, and a second portion extending in the second direction and connected to the first portion in a portion outside a portion on the first interconnection layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Atsuhiro SATO, Hiroyuki Nitta, Fumitaka Arai
  • Patent number: 7671458
    Abstract: A connector includes a fitting hole into which a signal line is fitted, a tapered portion formed to lead a tip portion of the signal line to the fitting hole, and a bonded portion for bonding the connector to a control substrate. The tapered portion has a tapered shape on a side where the signal line is inserted. The tapered shape is tilted from a peripheral portion of the tapered portion to the fitting hole in a direction along which the signal line is inserted, with the fitting hole set as a center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norifumi Furuta, Noriyuki Masuda
  • Publication number: 20100044755
    Abstract: A pMIS region is provided between a boundary extending in a first direction and passing through each of a plurality of standard cells and a first peripheral edge. An nMIS region is provided between the boundary and a second peripheral edge. A power supply wiring and a grounding wiring extend along the first and second peripheral edges, respectively. A plurality of pMIS wirings and a plurality of nMIS wirings are arranged on a plurality of first virtual lines and a plurality of second virtual lines, respectively, extending in the first direction and arranged with a single pitch in a second direction. The first virtual line that is the closest to the boundary and the second virtual line that is the closest to the boundary have therebetween a spacing larger than the single pitch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Nobuhiro TSUDA, Hidekatsu Nishimaki, Hiroshi Omura, Yuko Yoshifuku
  • Patent number: 7667254
    Abstract: Wiring is routed to assure insulation between wiring traces in a semiconductor integrated circuit device. The device includes a first wiring trace to which a prescribed voltage is supplied; a second wiring trace that takes on a voltage that exceeds the prescribed voltage; and a third wiring trace that only takes on a voltage less than the prescribed voltage. Alternatively, the device includes a first wiring trace to which a prescribed voltage is supplied; a second wiring trace that takes on a voltage less than the prescribed voltage; and a third wiring trace that takes on a voltage equal to or greater than the prescribed voltage. The wiring traces are routed at a certain wiring space in such a manner that the first wiring trace is interposed between the second and third wiring traces. The first wiring trace for which the potential difference is known to be small beforehand is routed so as to always be adjacent to the second wiring trace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Yamamoto