IP Library Granted Patent US 8,183,114
Granted Patent B2
US 8,183,114 · App. 12/636,408 · Granted May 22, 2012

Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof for reducing the area of the memory cell region

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,183,114
App. No.
12/636,408
Granted
May 22, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A structure is adopted for a layout of an SRAM cell which provides a local wiring 3 a between a gate 2 a and gate 2 b and connects an active region 1 a and an active region 1 b . This eliminates the necessity for providing a contact between the gate 2 a and the gate 2 b . Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of a memory cell region C in a short side direction. Furthermore, a structure whereby a left end of a gate 2 c is retreated from the gate 2 a and a local wiring 3 b which connects the active region 1 b and gate 2 c disposed in a diagonal direction is adopted. This allows the gate 2 a to be shifted toward the center of the memory cell region C.

Claims (12)

1. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprising the steps of:

(a) preparing a substrate;

(b) forming a first active region in the substrate and forming a second active region, which is separated from the first active region, in the substrate;

(c) forming a first gate electrode region which is crossed by the first active region, and separated from the second active region, and forming a second gate electrode region which is crossed by the first active region and the second active region, and separated from the first gate electrode region, and forming a third gate electrode region which is separated from the first active region, the first gate electrode region and the second gate electrode region;

(d) after step (a) to (c), forming an insulating film, which is separated from a top of the first gate electrode region, a top of the second gate electrode region and a top of the third gate electrode region, over the substrate;

(e) after step (d), etching the insulating film and the third gate electrode region so as to form a groove on the third gate electrode region, on the first active region, on the second active region and over a region between the first active region and the second active region;

(f) after step (a) to (e), forming a conductive film over the substrate; and

(g) after step (f), removing the conductive film out of the groove, reaching the top of the first gate electrode region, the top of the second gate electrode region and the top of the third gate electrode region and forming a wiring which connects the first active region, the second active region and the third gate electrode region.

2. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 1 , wherein the first active region and the second active region are extended in the first direction, and the first gate electrode region, the second gate electrode region and the third gate electrode region are extended in the second direction which is different direction from the first direction.

3. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 2 , wherein the first active region, the second active region, the first gate electrode region, second gate electrode region and the third gate electrode region are formed in a memory cell in the substrate, a center of the memory cell region is extended in the first direction, the first active region is formed next to the second active region, and the second active region is closer to the center of the memory cell than the first active region.

4. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 3 , wherein the second gate electrode region and the third gate electrode region are crossed by the center of the memory cell region, and the first gate electrode region is separated from the center of the memory cell.

5. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 4 , wherein the first direction and the second direction orthogonally cross.

Assignments (6)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 053654 FRAME: 0254. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Jun 10, 2021
From: STARBOARD VALUE INTERMEDIATE FUND LP
To: ACACIA RESEARCH GROUP LLC
Reel/Frame 057454/0045 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNOR NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 052853 FRAME 0153. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Mar 2, 2021
From: ACACIA RESEARCH GROUP LLC
To: STARBOARD VALUE INTERMEDIATE FUND LP, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 056775/0066 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jul 8, 2020
From: STARBOARD VALUE INTERMEDIATE FUND LP
To: ACACIA RESEARCH GROUP LLC; AMERICAN VEHICULAR SCIENCES LLC; BONUTTI SKELETAL INNOVATIONS LLC; CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT LLC; INNOVATIVE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES LLC; LIFEPORT SCIENCES LLC; LIMESTONE MEMORY SYSTEMS LLC; MOBILE ENHANCEMENT SOLUTIONS LLC; MONARCH NETWORKING SOLUTIONS LLC; NEXUS DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES LLC; PARTHENON UNIFIED MEMORY ARCHITECTURE LLC; R2 SOLUTIONS LLC; SAINT LAWRENCE COMMUNICATIONS LLC; STINGRAY IP SOLUTIONS LLC; SUPER INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGIES LLC; TELECONFERENCE SYSTEMS LLC; UNIFICATION TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 053654/0254 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 5, 2020
From: ACACIA RESEARCH GROUP LLC; AMERICAN VEHICULAR SCIENCES LLC; BONUTTI SKELETAL INNOVATIONS LLC; CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT LLC; INNOVATIVE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES LLC; LIFEPORT SCIENCES LLC; LIMESTONE MEMORY SYSTEMS LLC; MERTON ACQUISITION HOLDCO LLC; MOBILE ENHANCEMENT SOLUTIONS LLC; MONARCH NETWORKING SOLUTIONS LLC; NEXUS DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES LLC; PARTHENON UNIFIED MEMORY ARCHITECTURE LLC; R2 SOLUTIONS LLC; SAINT LAWRENCE COMMUNICATIONS LLC; STINGRAY IP SOLUTIONS LLC; SUPER INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGIES LLC; TELECONFERENCE SYSTEMS LLC; UNIFICATION TECHNOLOGIES LLC
To: STARBOARD VALUE INTERMEDIATE FUND LP, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 052853/0153 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 29, 2016
From: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
To: ACACIA RESEARCH GROUP LLC
Reel/Frame 038425/0710 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 13, 2010
From: RENESAS TECHNOLOGY CORP.
To: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 024973/0598 →