Integrated Circuit Having A Two-dimensional Layout Of Components Without A Common Active Region (epo) Patents (Class 257/E27.013)
  • Publication number: 20100289059
    Abstract: A structure of power semiconductor device integrated with clamp diodes having separated gate metal pad is disclosed. The separated gate metal pads are wire bonded together on the gate lead frame. This improved structure can prevent the degradation of breakdown voltage due to electric field in termination region blocked by polysilicon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: FORCE MOS TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Fu-Yuan Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20100264457
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit for protecting an integrated circuit (IC) having a first voltage potential, a first power supply potential and a second power supply potential. The ESD circuit includes a first NPN bipolar transistor having a first N-doped junction, a second N-doped junction and a third P-doped base junction. The first N-doped junction is coupled to the first voltage potential and the second N-doped junction is coupled to the first power supply potential. The ESD circuit also includes a first PNP bipolar transistor having a first P-doped junction, a second P-doped junction and a third N-doped base junction. The first P-doped junction is coupled to the first voltage potential and the second P-doped junction is coupled to the second power supply potential. The third P-doped base junction of the first NPN bipolar transistor is coupled to the third N-doped base junction of the first PNP bipolar transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Bart Sorgeloos, Benjamin Van Camp
  • Publication number: 20100244027
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a capacitor element that stores charge to perform as a memory that stores information. The capacitor may include, but is not limited to, an insulating layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The insulating layer includes metal oxide. The insulating layer has a high dielectric constant. The first electrode contacts with a first surface of the insulating layer. The first electrode is made of a first conductive material including at least one of precious metals and compounds thereof. The second electrode contacts with a second surface of the insulating layer. The second electrode is made of a second conductive material including at least one of metals and compounds thereof. The metals are different from the precious metals. The second conductive material is lower in work function than the first conductive material. The first electrode is lower in potential than the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: ELPIDA MEMORY, INC.
    Inventor: Ken Numata
  • Publication number: 20100244756
    Abstract: A high voltage integrated circuit contains a freewheeling diode embedded in a transistor. It further includes a control block controlling a high voltage transistor and a power block—including the high voltage transistor—isolated from the control block by a device isolation region. The high voltage transistor includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, a epitaxial layer of a second conductivity type on the semiconductor substrate, a buried layer of the second conductivity type between the semiconductor substrate and the epitaxial layer, a collector region of the second conductivity type on the buried layer, a base region of the first conductivity type on the epitaxial layer, and an emitter region of the second conductivity type formed in the base region. The power block further includes a deep impurity region of the first conductivity type near the collector region to form a PN junction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Taeg-hyun Kang, Sung-son Yun
  • Publication number: 20100237464
    Abstract: A set of metal line structures including a signal transmission metal line and a capacitively-grounded inductively-signal-coupled metal line is embedded in a dielectric material layer. A capacitor is serially connected between the capacitively-grounded inductively-signal-coupled metal line and a local electrical ground, which may be on the input side or on the output side. The set of metal line structures and the capacitor collective provide a frequency dependent inductor. The Q factor of the frequency dependent inductor has multiple peaks that enable the operation of the frequency dependent inductor at multiple frequencies. Multiple capacitively-grounded inductively-signal-coupled metal lines may be provided in the frequency-dependent inductor, each of which is connected to the local electrical ground through a capacitor. By selecting different capacitance values for the capacitors, multiple values of the Q-factor may be obtained in the frequency dependent inductor at different signal frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hanyi Ding, Wayne H. Woods, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100219839
    Abstract: A method of testing a capacitive transducer circuit, for example a MEMS capacitive transducer, by applying a test signal via one or more capacitors provided in the transducer circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Colin Findlay Steele, John Laurence Pennock
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100118585
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes a three dimensional memory array having a plurality of memory elements coupled to form the array through a single top lead and a single bottom lead, each memory element including a magnetic free layer in which non-volatile data can be stored, wherein each memory element possesses unique resonant frequencies associated with each digital memory state, thereby enabling frequency addressing during parallel write and read operations, each memory element further including a fixed layer and a spacer formed between the free layer and the fixed layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: HITACHI GLOBAL STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Liesl Folks, Bruce David Terris
  • Publication number: 20100059815
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device is formed having a trench structure. The trench structure includes a single crystalline semiconductor plug formed along exposed upper surfaces of the trench. In one embodiment, the single crystalline semiconductor plug seals the trench to form a sealed core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Gordon M. Grivna, Gary H. Loechelt, John Michael Parsey, JR., Mohammed Tanvir Quddus
  • Publication number: 20100013020
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate includes semi-insulating portions beneath openings in a patterned hardmask film formed over a semiconductor substructure to a thickness sufficient to prevent charged particles from passing through the hardmask. The semi-insulating portions include charged particles and may extend deep into the semiconductor substrate and electrically insulate devices formed on opposed sides of the semi-insulating portions. The charged particles may advantageously be protons and further substrate portions covered by the patterned hardmask film are substantially free of the charged particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Chin Lin, Denny Tang, Chuan-Ying Lee, H. C. Cheng
  • Publication number: 20100006930
    Abstract: A semiconductor device manufacturing method includes steps of: etching a semiconductor substrate 2 by using hard masks 71, 72 and 73; forming a sidewall insulating film 38 on side surfaces of these hard masks 71, 72 and 73; selectively removing the sidewall insulating film 38 formed on the side surfaces of the hard masks 71, 72; further etching the semiconductor substrate 2 by using the hard masks 71, 72 and 73 and the sidewall insulating film 38; simultaneously forming gate trenches 12, 22 and 32 at a part of the semiconductor substrate 2 covered by the hard masks 71, 72 and 73; and forming gate electrodes 13, 23 and 33 inside the gate trenches 12, 22 and 32. Accordingly, plural recess channel transistors having different heights of fin-shaped regions 21f, 31f can be formed simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventor: Noriaki MIKASA
  • Patent number: 7642601
    Abstract: In a semiconductor integrated circuit device and a method of designing the same, design information about circuit cells each having a desired function are described as objects according to selected purposes. The pieces of design information are registered in a cell library as cell information capable of forming any of substrate potential fixed cells and substrate potential variable cells. Further, a data sheet common to the substrate potential fixed cell and the substrate potential variable cell is offered to a user, so that the user is able to make a selection according to the user's purposes. The substrate potential fixed cells and the substrate potential variable cells are mixed together on a semiconductor chip so as to be properly used according to the functions or the like of circuit portions in which the cells are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Ryuji Shibata, Shigeru Shimada
  • Publication number: 20090321811
    Abstract: A memory cell transistor comprises: an active region, the active region being elongated in a first direction of extension; a tunnel layer on the active region, the tunnel layer comprising a first tunnel insulating layer, a second tunnel insulating layer on the first tunnel insulating layer and a third tunnel insulating layer on the second tunnel insulating layer; a charge storage layer on the tunnel layer; a blocking insulating layer on the charge storage layer; and a control gate electrode on the blocking insulating layer, the control gate electrode being elongated in a second direction of extension that is transverse the first direction of extension, the active region having a first width in the second direction of extension, the second tunnel insulating layer having a second width in the second direction of extension, the second width being different than the first width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang Hyun Lee, Jung Dal Choi
  • Publication number: 20090250781
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power semiconductor device comprising a switching power semiconductor element, and a free wheeling diode in anti-parallel connection to the switching power semiconductor element. The power semiconductor is characterized in that a reverse electrode of the switching power semiconductor element and a reverse electrode of the free wheeling diode are bonded and mounted on a circuit pattern formed on the main surface of the first substrate, and that a circuit pattern, which is so formed on the main surface of the second substrate as to oppose a surface electrode of the switching power semiconductor element and a surface electrode of the free wheeling diode, is connected to the surface electrodes of the switching power semiconductor element and the free wheeling diode through connective conductors to be soldered, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicants: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, ALSTOM TRANSPORT SA
    Inventors: Makoto Kondou, Kiyoshi Arai, Jose Saiz, Pierre Solomalala, Emmanuel Dutarde, Benoit Boursat, Philippe Lasserre
  • Publication number: 20090230456
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a first area and a second area, a first transistor in the first area, a second transistor in the second area, an isolation layer between the first area and the second area, and at least one buried shield structure on the isolation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Young-Bae Yoon, Jeong-Dong Choe, Dong-Hoon Jang, Ki-Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 7589361
    Abstract: In automatic placing and routing, a standard cell 101 is composed of a P-channel transistor region 102 and an N-channel transistor region 103. The P-channel transistor region 102 has a P-channel functional transistor forming region 104, and the N-channel transistor region 103 has an N-channel functional transistor forming region 105. In a space region of the N-channel transistor region 103 other than the N-channel functional transistor forming region 105, a power source capacitor forming region 106 is formed at a portion of the P-channel transistor region 102 opposing the P-channel functional transistor forming region 104. In this region, a power source capacitor is formed to suppress the IR-Drop of a power source wiring line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Takahata
  • Publication number: 20090218626
    Abstract: In a semiconductor integrated circuit device and a method of designing the same, design information about circuit cells each having a desired function are described as objects according to selected purposes. The pieces of design information are registered in a cell library as cell information capable of forming any of substrate potential fixed cells and substrate potential variable cells. Further, a data sheet common to the substrate potential fixed cell and the substrate potential variable cell is offered to a user, so that the user is able to make a selection according to the user's purposes. The substrate potential fixed cells and the substrate potential variable cells are mixed together on a semiconductor chip so as to be properly used according to the functions or the like of circuit portions in which the cells are used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Ryuji SHIBATA, Shigeru Shimada
  • Publication number: 20090152675
    Abstract: In a semiconductor device having a first region formed with the inductor and a second region formed with transistors, the inductor includes a deep well region formed in the silicon substrate beneath the first and second regions, a well region formed on the deep well region in the second region, N type shield regions formed to have the same depth as the well region, and P type shield regions arranged to alternate with the N type shield regions, the transistors formed on the silicon substrate in the second region, an insulating film formed over an entire surface of the silicon substrate such that the insulating film covers the transistors, and a metal line formed on the insulating film in the first region such that the metal line corresponds to the N and P type shield regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Su-Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 7541647
    Abstract: In a semiconductor integrated circuit device and a method of designing the same, design information about circuit cells each having a desired function are described as objects according to selected purposes. The pieces of design information are registered in a cell library as cell information capable of forming any of substrate potential fixed cells and substrate potential variable cells. Further, a data sheet common to the substrate potential fixed cell and the substrate potential variable cell is offered to a user, so that the user is able to make a selection according to the user's purposes. The substrate potential fixed cells and the substrate potential variable cells are mixed together on a semiconductor chip so as to be properly used according to the functions or the like of circuit portions in which the cells are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Ryuji Shibata, Shigeru Shimada
  • Publication number: 20090014837
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same. A high-resistance silicon wafer is manufactured in such a manner that a large-sized silicon wafer manufactured by the Czochralski method is irradiated with neutrons, and high-resistance and low-resistance elements are simultaneously formed on the high-resistance silicon wafer. Thus, the manufacturing cost can be remarkably saved, and the reliability of products can be enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: PETARI INCORPORATION
    Inventor: Young Jin PARK
  • Publication number: 20080296613
    Abstract: An ESD protection device is provided. The ESD protection device comprises an SCR and an ESD detection circuit. The SCR is coupled between a high voltage and a ground and has a special semiconductor structure which saves area. When the ESD detection circuit detects an ESD event, the ESD detection circuit drives the SCR to provide a discharging path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventor: Chien-Hui CHUANG
  • Patent number: 7453125
    Abstract: A multiple gate field-effect transistor is built from an overlapping mesh assembly. The assembly comprises a first layer comprising a semiconductor material formed into at least one fin, at least one source, and at least one drain. The first layer comprises a portion of a first mesh, electrically separated from the rest of the mesh. Similarly, a second layer is formed over the first layer and electrically isolated from the first layer, the second layer being electrically conductive and comprising a gate for the at least on fin of the transistor. The second layer comprises a portion of a second mesh offset from the first mesh and overlapping the first mesh, the second layer of the MuGFET device electrically separated from the rest of the second mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Alexander Nielsen, Bernhard Dobler, Georg Georgakos, Ralf Weber
  • Publication number: 20080277758
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate that has an integrated circuit and an electrode, the electrode being electrically coupled to the integrated circuit; a resin layer that is formed on the semiconductor substrate, the resin layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface and the lower surface opposing each other, the lower surface facing the substrate; and a spiral inductor that is formed on the upper surface of the resin layer with a spiral wiring line, the spiral inductor being electrically coupled to the electrode. The wiring line has both ends in a width direction intersecting an axial line spirally extending and a mid-portion between the both ends. At least a part of the mid-portion makes contact with the upper surface of the resin layer, and at least the both ends are positioned apart from the upper surface of the resin layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Terunao HANAOKA
  • Patent number: 7432549
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vertical-type power switch disposed in a semi-conductor chip, comprising a winding (30) located on the periphery of at least one face of said chip. Said winding comprises two binding posts (31, 32) which supply a signal that is proportional to the current fluctuations in said switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventor: Robert Pezzani
  • Patent number: 7385263
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) having a symmetrical layout such that the resistance between drains and sources is reduced, thereby reducing power dissipation. Drain pads, source pads, and gates are placed on the MOSFET such that the distances between drains, sources, and gates are optimized to reduce resistance and power dissipation. The gates may be arranged in a trapezoidal arrangement in order to maximize a ratio of the gate widths to gate lengths for current driving while reducing resistance and power dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Maud Pierrel, Bilal Manai
  • Patent number: 7381997
    Abstract: A structure and method of fabricating lateral diodes. The diodes include Schottky diodes and PIN diodes. The method of fabrication includes forming one or more doped regions and more trenches in a silicon substrate and forming metal silicides on the sidewalls of the trenches. The fabrication of lateral diodes may be integrated with the fabrication of field effect, bipolar and SiGe bipolar transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Duane Coolbaugh, Jeffrey Bowman Johnson, Xuefeng Liu, Bradley Alan Orner, Robert Mark Rassel, David Charles Sheridan
  • Patent number: 7335927
    Abstract: A structure and method of fabricating lateral diodes. The diodes include Schottky diodes and PIN diodes. The method of fabrication includes forming one or more doped regions and more trenches in a silicon substrate and forming metal silicides on the sidewalls of the trenches. The fabrication of lateral diodes may be integrated with the fabrication of field effect, bipolar and SiGe bipolar transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Internatioanl Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Duane Coolbaugh, Jeffrey Bowman Johnson, Xuefeng Liu, Bradley Alan Orner, Robert Mark Rassel, David Charles Sheridan
  • Patent number: 7317223
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first region formed in a predetermined region of the semiconductor substrate, and in which a plurality of memory transistors are disposed, and a second region adjacent to the first region, and in which a selection transistor is formed to supply a predetermined voltage to the memory transistor. The second region of the substrate may have a higher impurity concentration than an entire region of the substrate other than the second region. Reduced area of the selection transistor can be realized with a shortened channel length, without a decreased threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Weon-Ho Park
  • Patent number: 7307294
    Abstract: Main-transistors M1 and M2 are divided into sub-transistors that are arrayed in a matrix with four rows and four columns to form four cells so that each of the cells is formed of four of the sub-transistors that have a common center. This can realize a layout configuration that is as good in matching of the main-transistors M1 and M2 as a four-segment layout scheme and takes small pattern area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sachin Aggarwal
  • Patent number: 7307295
    Abstract: A system including an semiconductor chip with a hard-coded bit changeable in any single metal layer of the semiconductor chip has been presented. In one embodiment, the system includes a graphics chip and an input/output controller hub. The input/output controller hub includes an integrated circuit having a set of metal layers, a logic circuit, and a set of cells. The logic circuit has a plurality of input terminals and an output terminal to output the hard-coded bit, wherein a value of the hard-coded bit is changeable during fabrication in any single one of the metal layers. Further, each of the set of cells is on a distinct one of the metal layers, each cell having an output pin directly coupled to one of the input terminals of the logic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Maurice Velandia
  • Patent number: 7196392
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an isolation ring disposed on a semiconductor substrate, surrounding first and second circuit areas. A buried isolation layer is continuously extended through the first circuit area and the second circuit area, in the semiconductor substrate. The buried isolation layer interfaces with the isolation ring, thereby isolating the first and second circuit areas from a backside bias of the semiconductor substrate. An ion enhanced isolation layer separates the first well in the first circuit area and the second well in the second circuit areas from the isolation ring and the buried isolation layer, thereby preventing punch-through between the wells of the circuit areas and the buried isolation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun-Xiu Liu, Chi-Hsuen Chang, Tzu-Chiang Sung, Chung-I Chen, Chih Po Huang
  • Publication number: 20070045747
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described that reduce the possibility that unintended subway short-circuits will occur between contacts of different potentials along the boundary between tensile and compressive liners (the T-C boundary). This may be done without unduly increasing the size of the semiconductor device, or even increasing the size at all over previous designs. For example, simply by adjusting the layout of the device, the contacts of two different common gates may be offset in opposing directions relative to the T-C boundary. Or, by forming a T-C boundary having a zigzag or other similar pattern, the contacts may be arranged even closer together while still reducing the likelihood of short-circuiting subways forming. Such layout adjustments do not otherwise require any additional steps or cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Yusuke Kohyama
  • Publication number: 20060267224
    Abstract: A method for directly aligning multiple lithography masking layers. The method may be used to fabricate a flash plus logic structure. The flash plus logic structure may comprise a flash memory cell, a logic cell and a transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Derchang Kau, Khaled Hasnat, Everett Lee
  • Patent number: 7087943
    Abstract: A method for directly aligning multiple lithography masking layers. The method may be used to fabricate a flash plus logic structure. The flash plus logic structure may comprise a flash memory cell, a logic cell and a transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Derchang Kau, Khaled Hasnat, Everett Lee