throbber
(12) United States Patent
`Morikawa
`
`111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US006239614Bl
`US 6,239,614 Bl
`May 29,2001
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) SEMICONDUCTOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT
`DEVICE
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Koichi Morikawa, Tokyo (JP)
`
`(73) Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd., Tokyo
`(JP)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/283,179
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Apr. 1, 1999
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Jan. 14, 1999
`
`(JP) ................................................. 11-008116
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl? ........................................................ G06F 7/38
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................. 326/39; 326/39; 326/40;
`257/206; 257/207
`
`(58) Field of Search .................................. 326/39, 38, 40,
`326/41, 37; 257/206, 207, 204, 392
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,552,618 * 9/1996 Taniguchi eta!. ................... 257/207
`5,932,900 * 8/1999 Lin eta!. ............................. 257/204
`5,945,702 * 8/1999 Nakanishi ............................ 257/296
`5,994,726 * 11/1999 Ikeda eta!. .......................... 257/207
`6,040,609 * 3/2000 Frisina ................................. 257/391
`6,066,866 * 5!2000 Omori .................................. 257/202
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Shin'ichiro Mutoh et al., "1-V Power Supply High-Speed
`Digital Circuit Technology with Multi threshold-Voltage
`CMOS" IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, vol. 30, No.
`8, Aug. 1995, pp. 846-854.
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner-Michael Tokar
`Assistant Examiner-Vibol Tan
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Jones Volentine, LLC
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`
`The present invention comprises first unit cells each includ(cid:173)
`ing PMOS transistors and NMOS transistors, each transistor
`having a first threshold voltage, second unit cells each
`including PMOS transistors and NMOS transistors, each
`transistor having a second threshold voltage, a unit cell array
`comprised of the first and second unit cells laid in array
`form, a power switch disposed around the unit cell array and
`comprised of the PMOS transistors and NMOS transistors
`each having the second threshold voltage, and input/output
`circuits disposed around the unit cell array. Another inven(cid:173)
`tion comprises a first power supply line supplied with a first
`power supply potential level, a second power supply line
`supplied with a second power supply potential level, a first
`virtual power supply line, a second virtual power supply
`line, a latch circuit electrically connected between the first
`and second power supply lines, at least one logic circuit
`electrically connected between the first and second virtual
`power supply lines, a first capacitor electrically connected
`between the first power supply line and the first virtual
`power supply line, and a second capacitor electrically con(cid:173)
`nected between the second power supply line and the second
`virtual power supply line.
`
`7 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`10
`)
`
`D.
`
`l..lo
`
`t:.
`
`I.:>.
`
`b.
`
`Ll.
`
`1:::.
`
`ol..l.
`
`/:.
`
`.L.l. b. ~ 1::.
`
`l..lo £::..
`
`~ @----~ 1--1 @----ra 1--1 ra----ra I--ll"
`~ !!1----~ 1--1 M----ra 1--1 ~----ra 1--11 ~
`@----!!1 1--1 @----ra 1--1 ra----ra 1--11:
`
`15
`16
`------ ------;·--------:--------;------:------:·------ ------------,
`'
`'
`'
`'
`
`'
`'
`
`20
`
`26
`
`II
`
`13
`
`25
`
`14
`
`" "
`" 6
`
`I.J.
`
`l!.
`
`~ 1~----la 1--1 ~--·-Ia H la---·!;:l H
`I.J. c b.
`
`A
`
`.0.
`
`t:.
`
`2
`
`3
`
`/
`
`4
`
`5
`
`"
`" 6
`
`6
`1:.-~
`
`' 7
`' /
`--~----
`
`HIGH
`THRESHOLD
`MOS'S
`
`:(_ ---- -------,_ ------- ,_ ------ --'-- -- __ , --- ___ , __ ----- ----------- _:
`t
`12/
`17
`19
`18
`23---.._ :
`---~---
`
`:
`24
`- --~-~
`
`HIGH
`THRESHOLD
`MOS'S
`
`LOW
`THRESHOLD
`MOS'S
`
`AMD EX1001
`U.S. Patent No. 6,239,614
`
`0001
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 29,2001
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
`US 6,239,614 Bl
`
`FIG. I
`
`10
`~
`
`I""'
`A
`A
`
`6
`t::.
`A
`
`~---- ra 1--I ra---- ra 1--1 ~---- ra 1-- II t::.
`A ~---- ~ 1--I ~----fa 1--1 ~---- ra 1--11 t::.
`~---- ra 1--1 ~---- ~ 1--1 ~l--·fa I--ll A
`
`.....
`
`c.
`
`L.>.
`
`6.
`
`6.
`
`.....
`
`.....
`
`A
`
`A
`
`.u. A
`
`;;;,. A
`
`'"A
`
`6
`
`D.
`A
`
`6
`
`6
`A
`
`6
`6
`6
`
`A
`
`6
`
`A
`
`6.
`
`A.
`
`A
`6.
`
`A
`A
`A
`
`A
`D.
`
`A.
`A
`
`A
`
`A
`
`6
`
`~
`
`1\
`
`6
`
`1\
`
`1\
`)
`
`I
`2
`
`I
`
`3
`FIG. 2
`
`1
`. .
`. . .
`. . .
`.
`A @----ra 1--1 ra----ra 1--1 fa----~ I--ll A
`
`' 7 :/
`-- ~----
`
`HIGH
`THRESHOLD
`MOS'S
`
`A
`-
`(1\ A 1\ A 1\ 6 / \
`\
`I
`4
`
`(
`)
`
`5
`
`10
`~
`
`In
`
`Co.
`
`,0.
`
`L>.
`
`D.
`
`D.
`
`L>
`
`u
`
`:: ~---· ~ 1--1 ~~---- ~ 1--1 ~----~ I· -I I
`IL f;l·-· ~ 1--1 ~----~ 1--I ~----~ 1--I I
`::~---·fa 1--I 1~----[1 1--1 ®---·fa 1--I I
`
`. . . . . . . . . 1
`. . . . : .
`
`' .
`:
`' .
`~---· ~ 1-·1 !la----lia 1--1 ~----~I--ll
`I'J A
`1\ A 1\
`I
`\
`I
`6
`4
`
`A
`
`I
`
`)
`2
`
`A
`
`1\
`
`1\
`
`£).j
`
`1\
`
`6
`
`D. 1\
`
`A A
`
`3
`
`I
`
`I
`I
`
`5
`
`0002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 29,2001
`
`Sheet 2 of 6
`
`US 6,239,614 Bl
`
`w
`C\l
`,- --,---..---------_--------+--1---
`
`(\J
`
`.,.. ___ _
`
`I
`I
`I
`
`I r-----
`
`1
`
`,...- ---
`
`I
`
`~
`C\l
`
`a
`_J
`\
`~~-(/)
`-- --- --1l_r- ---g ~ ~
`:c ._
`
`0:~
`
`I
`I
`I
`
`I L----
`
`1
`
`lL
`lL
`I
`0
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`--1
`
`I
`t--. - -
`
`l()
`
`-
`
`0003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`May 29, 2001
`May 29,2001
`
`Sheet 3 0f 6
`Sheet 3 of 6
`
`US 6,239,614 B1
`US 6,239,614 Bl
`
`
`
`•
`
`(.!) -LL
`
`N
`("()
`
`~ ~----~----------------------~---
`>
`......._,
`0 z
`C)
`O
`D
`Z
`§:
`“>9
`i
`
`0004
`
`0004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`May 29, 2001
`May 29, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
`Sheet 4 0f 6
`
`US 6,239,614 Bl
`US 6,239,614 B1
`
`FIG. 5
`FIG.575
`57
`“11355
`
`Ill/II/l7lllllé 50
`“III
`
`5,
`
`56
`
`54
`54
`
`53
`
`62 _---.,
`
`~52
`:51
`--51
`
`Ill/ll'l/I/ll/A
`WI!!I§QZI
`61
`_\‘\\\§
`"I4
`
`4";Ii“:'11},Iii/4!
`VII/l-;I//
`
`,4L_.
`,3,I36,:14!
`}\\\lav/”11771
`63 VJ mii
`
`63~
`[42/
`
`64
`
`=—I-l=
`'I/fi'lAfi’llI/AIM
`
`66 ---
`
`,,
`
`[JL]:”
`
`69
`
`67
`
`0005
`
`0005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`May 29, 2001
`May 29, 2001
`
`Sheet 5 0f 6
`Sheet 5 of 6
`
`US 6,239,614 Bl
`US 6,239,614 B1
`
`FIG. 6
`FIG. 6
`57
`
`.I—I-I--—.‘S 60
`
`”EMA/1371“”;
`gal-IE:
`
`55
`
`56--
`
`54
`54
`
`53-
`
`62
`
`54
`
`asi-lfia‘
`[AflfllflaM/IA
`
`66 - -
`
`0006
`
`_-,§\§\I\\‘
`
`.1
`
`_,-..._/52
`...
`51
`"—-51
`
`“VII;
`'I/VAV/AIVA/Ifi
`uni-Ed
`fl}!
`‘1
`62 1Ila
`\\\
`"Au—1']:
`1111_
`92"
`-‘\E.—I113.
`63\J/J 75%“
`31%3%uSQQ‘53
`as an
`
`0006
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`May 29, 2001
`May 29, 2001
`
`Sheet 6 0f 6
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`US 6,239,614 Bl
`US 6,239,614 B1
`
`FIG. 7
`FIG. 7
`
`87
`
`90
`
`85
`
`_,--./ 82
`---51
`
`
`
`84
`
`~
`95
`
`99
`
`0007
`
`

`

`1
`SEMICONDUCTOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT
`DEVICE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`US 6,239,614 Bl
`
`2
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Field of the Invention
`This invention relates to a semiconductor integrated cir(cid:173)
`cuit device, and particularly to a semiconductor integrated
`circuit device including MOS transistors, which is capable
`of operating at a low power supply voltage when taken
`active and reducing power consumption resultant from a
`leakage current during standby.
`Description of the Related Art
`As high integration of an LSI or an increase in perfor(cid:173)
`mance thereof progresses, how to reduce the power con- 15
`sumption has recently been recognized as an important
`problem. It can be said that in a CMOS type LSI in
`particular, a reduction in the power supply voltage is a
`method most effective for low power consumption because
`the power consumption is directly proportional to the square 20
`of the power supply voltage. However, the reduction in the
`power supply voltage will cause a reduction in the operating
`speed of a MOS transistor. Avoiding this needs to reduce a
`threshold voltage when it is active. However, the reduction
`in the threshold voltage leads to an increase in leakage 25
`current of the MOS transistor during standby. An MTCMOS
`(Multithreshold-Voltage CMOS) has been proposed as an
`LSI for solving such a problem. The MTCMOS has been
`introduced in the paper: r1-V Power Supply High-Speed
`Digital Circuit Technology with Multithreshold-Voltage 30
`CMOS (IEEE JOURNAL OF SOLID-STATE CIRCUIT.
`VOL. 30. NO. 8, AUGUST 1995) or the like, for example.
`This type of MTCMOS generally has at least one logic
`circuit electrically connected between a virtual power supply
`line and a virtual power supply line and comprised of MOS
`transistors each having a low threshold voltage and standby
`power control MOS transistors each having a high threshold
`voltage, which are electrically connected between a power
`supply line and the virtual power supply line and between a
`ground line and a virtual ground line to reduce the leakage
`current of each MOS transistor during standby. Further,
`MTCMOS has a latch circuit directly connected between
`the-power supply line and the ground line. Since the latch
`circuit is provided with MOS transistors each having a high
`threshold voltage, which are directly connected to the power
`supply line and the ground line, it is possible to prevent the
`destruction of data stored in the logic circuit even if the
`virtual power supply line and the virtual ground line are
`respectively brought to a floating state during standby.
`However, the conventional MTCMOS adopts a standard
`cell system in which layout design is performed in units of
`a latch circuit such as a flip-flop circuit comprised of an
`inverter circuit, a master circuit and a slave circuit, and a
`logic circuit. The layout design based on such a standard cell 55
`system has a problem in that since it is performed in
`respective circuit units, the period required to manufacture
`the MTCMOS becomes long.
`In the conventional MTCMOS on the other hand, the
`threshold voltage of the standby power control MOS tran(cid:173)
`sistor used to reduce the leakage current flowing during
`standby is set sufficiently high. Thus, when it is taken active,
`a sufficient current is not supplied to the virtual power
`supply line or the virtual ground line thereby to make the
`voltage value unstable. As a result, the conventional MTC(cid:173)
`MOS has inconvenience that a high-speed logical operation
`cannot be implemented.
`
`5
`
`With the foregoing in view, it is therefore an object of the
`present invention to implement the layout of a semiconduc-
`tor integrated circuit device by a gate array system, thereby
`shortening a manufacturing period thereof as compared with
`the conventional standard cell system. It is another object of
`the present invention to provide a semiconductor integrated
`circuit device capable of restraining variations in the values
`10 of voltages applied to a virtual power supply line and a
`virtual ground line and reducing a delay time when switch(cid:173)
`ing is done between logic circuits provided within an
`MTCMOS.
`
`According to one aspect of this invention, for achieving
`the above objects, there is provided a semiconductor inte(cid:173)
`grated circuit device comprises first unit cells each including
`PMOS transistors and NMOS transistors, each transistor
`having a first threshold voltage, second unit cells each
`including PMOS transistors and NMOS transistors, each
`transistor having a second threshold voltage, a unit cell array
`comprised of the first and second unit cells laid in array
`form, a power switch disposed around the unit cell array and
`comprised of the PMOS transistors and NMOS transistors
`each having the second threshold voltage, and input/output
`circuits disposed around the unit cell array. Another inven(cid:173)
`tion comprises a first power supply line supplied with a first
`power supply potential level, a second power supply line
`supplied with a second power supply potential level, a first
`virtual power supply line, a second virtual power supply
`line, a latch circuit electrically connected between the first
`and second power supply lines, at least one logic circuit
`electrically connected between the first and second virtual
`power supply lines, a first capacitor electrically connected
`between the first power supply line and the second virtual
`35 power supply line, and a second capacitor electrically con(cid:173)
`nected between the second power supply line and the first
`virtual power supply line.
`
`40
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`45
`
`While the specification concludes with claims particularly
`pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which
`is regarded as the invention, it is believed that the invention,
`the objects, features of the invention and further objects,
`features and advantages thereof will be better understood
`from the following description taken in connection with the
`accompanying drawings in which:
`FIG. 1 is a layout showing a first embodiment of the
`50 present invention;
`
`FIG. 2 is a layout illustrating another example of the first
`embodiment of the present invention;
`
`FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram depicting one example of a
`configuration of a semiconductor integrated circuit device of
`the present invention;
`FIG. 4 is a waveform chart for describing the operations
`of the first embodiment of the present invention and another
`example thereof;
`
`FIG. 5 is a layout showing a second embodiment of the
`present invention;
`
`FIG. 6 is a layout illustrating another example of the
`second embodiment of the present invention; and
`
`FIG. 7 is a layout depicting a third embodiment of the
`present invention.
`
`60
`
`65
`
`0008
`
`

`

`US 6,239,614 Bl
`
`3
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`Preferred embodiments of the present invention will here(cid:173)
`inafter be described in detail with reference to the accom(cid:173)
`panying drawings.
`First Embodiment
`FIG. 1 is a layout showing a first embodiment of the
`present invention. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating one
`example of the unit cells shown in FIG. 1 according to a
`configuration of a semiconductor integrated circuit device of
`the present invention. The semiconductor integrated circuit
`device (hereinafter called "MTCMOS") 10 comprises unit
`cells 2 each comprised of PMOS and NMOS transistors both
`having a low threshold voltage, unit cells 3 each comprised
`of PMOS and NMOS transistors both having a high thresh(cid:173)
`old voltage, a unit cell array 1 in which the unit cells 2 and
`3 are laid in array form, a power switch 4 placed around the
`unit cell array 1, and input/output circuits 5 disposed there(cid:173)
`around. The power switch 4 comprises a PMOS transistor
`and an NMOS transistor each of which is a MOS transistor
`7 for cutting off a leakage current during standby and has a
`high threshold voltage.
`A latch circuit 19 directly connected between a power
`supply line 11 and a ground line 12 comprises the MOS
`transistors 23 each having the high threshold voltage, lying
`within each unit cell 3. The latch circuit 19 prevents the
`destruction of data during standby owing to the formation of
`a latch path between the power supply line 11 and the ground
`line 12. On the other hand, a set or arrangement of various
`logic circuits 20 electrically connected between a virtual 30
`power supply line 13 and a virtual ground line 14 is
`comprised of the MOS transistors 24 each having the low
`threshold voltage, lying within each unit cell 2. As a result,
`the logic circuits 20 can be activated at a low power supply
`voltage (about 1 V) when taken active.
`Further, the circuit of FIG. 3 includes a capacitor 21
`connected between power supply line 11 and virtual ground
`line 14, a capacitor 22 connected between virtual power
`supply line 13 and ground line 12, transistors 15 and 16
`connected across power supply line 11 and virtual power 40
`supply line 13, and transistors 17 and 18 connected across
`virtual ground line 14 and ground line 12. Further, an
`inverter 25 connects the substrate of transistor 15 to the gate
`of transistor 17, and an inverter 26 connects the substrate of
`transistor 18 to the gate of transistor 16.
`The ratio of the unit cells 2 to the unit cells 3 in the unit
`cell array is suitably selected according to the required
`number of latch circuits and logic circuits in an application
`LSI to be manufactured, while taking into consideration the
`number of cells used in a wiring area.
`Since the layout of the MTCMOS 10 can be implemented
`in accordance with a gate array system in the present
`embodiment, a manufacturing period can be shortened as
`compared with the conventional standard cell system.
`FIG. 2 is a layout showing another example of the first
`embodiment of the present invention. The present example
`is different from the first embodiment in that parts 6 of a
`power switch comprised of MOS transistors each having a
`high threshold voltage are placed within a unit cell array 1.
`In an MTCMOS 10 constructed using the unit cell array 1
`shown in FIG. 2, a virtual power supply line 13 and a virtual
`ground line 14 are reduced in resistive component. Further,
`variations in the values of voltages applied to the virtual
`power supply line 13 and virtual ground line 14 at the
`switching between the set of logic circuits 20 become small.
`As a result, a delay time produced in each logic circuit 20
`can be restrained from increasing.
`
`4
`FIG. 4 is a waveform chart for describing the operations
`of the first embodiment of the present invention and another
`example thereof. In the waveform chart shown in FIG. 4, the
`vertical axis thereof indicates a voltage value (V) and the
`5 horizontal axis thereof indicates the time (T), respectively.
`Respective output waveforms of the MTCMOS 10 con(cid:173)
`structed using the unit cell array 1 shown in FIG. 1 are
`respectively represented by dotted lines, whereas respective
`output waveforms of the MTCMOS 10 constructed using the
`10 unit cell array 1 shown in FIG. 2 are respectively represented
`by solid lines. Described specifically, they include output
`waveforms 31 and 34 which appear on the virtual power
`supply line, output waveforms 32 and 35 which appear on
`the virtual ground line, and output waveforms 33 and 36
`15 produced from the set of logic circuits. It is understood that
`if the respective output waveforms 31 and 32 indicated by
`the solid lines, which appear on the virtual power supply and
`ground lines are respectively compared with the respective
`output waveforms 34 and 35 indicated by the dotted lines,
`20 which appear on the virtual power supply and ground lines,
`then variations in voltage values are reduced (the voltage
`values are stable). It is also understood that if a comparison
`is made between the output waveform 33 indicated by the
`solid line, which is produced from the logic circuit arrange-
`25 ment and the output waveform 36 indicated by the dotted
`line, which is produced from the logic circuit arrangement,
`then the output of the logic circuit arrangement is made steep
`and hence the logic circuit arrangement 20 is reduced in
`delay time.
`In another example of the present embodiment, the parts
`6 of the power switch comprised of the MOS transistors each
`having the high threshold value are placed within the unit
`cell array 1. Thus, when switching is done between the logic
`circuits placed within the MTCMOS constructed using such
`35 a unit cell array, it is possible to control or restrain variations
`in the voltage values on the virtual power supply and ground
`lines and reduce the delay time.
`Second Embodiment
`A second embodiment is equivalent to one related to a
`pattern layout of capacitors 21 and 22 illustrated in the
`semiconductor integrated circuit device shown in FIG. 3.
`FIG. 5 is a layout showing the second embodiment of the
`present invention. A unit cell 51 is one which is not used for
`a circuit configuration of MTCM OS upon wire processing of
`45 MTCMOS. The unit cell 51 comprises two PMOS transis(cid:173)
`tors 53 each comprised of an N well 59, P-type diffused
`layers 56, 57 and 58, and gate electrodes 54 and 55 all of
`which are formed on a substrate 52, and two NMOS
`transistors 63 each comprised of a P well69, N-type diffused
`50 layers 66, 67 and 68, and-gate electrodes 64 and 65 all of
`which are formed on the substrate 52. The gate electrode 54
`of each PMOS transistor 53 is electrically connected to a
`virtual ground line 71 by a contact 62. The gate electrode 65
`of each NMOS transistor 63 is electrically connected to a
`55 virtual power supply line 61 by a contact 72. Incidentally,
`the N well 59 is fixed to a power supply potential level and
`the P well 69 is fixed to a ground potential level, respec(cid:173)
`tively.
`Since gate capacitance having aMOS capacitor structure,
`60 which is formed between the gate electrode 54 an the N well
`59, is activated as de-coupling capacitance (corresponding
`to the capacitor 21) because the gate electrode 54 of the
`PMOS transistor 53 is electrically connected to the virtual
`ground line 71, the value of a voltage applied on the virtual
`65 ground line is stabilized. Similarly, since gate capacitance
`formed between the gate electrode 65 and the P well 69,is
`activated as de-coupling capacitance (corresponding to the
`
`0009
`
`

`

`US 6,239,614 Bl
`
`10
`
`5
`capacitor 22) because the gate electrode 65 of the NMOS
`transistor 63 is electrically connected to the virtual power
`supply line 61, the value of a voltage applied to the virtual
`power supply line is stabilized. Owing to the provision of
`such capacitors 21 and 22, when switching is done between 5
`logic circuits provided within MTCMOS, the values of the
`voltages applied to the virtual power supply and ground
`lines can be restrained from varying and the delay time can
`be reduced.
`Another example of the second embodiment will next be
`explained. FIG. 6 is a layout showing another example of the
`second embodiment of the present invention. Incidentally,
`the same elements of structure as those shown in FIG. 5 are
`identified by like reference numerals and the description of
`certain common elements will be omitted. A unit cell 51 is
`equivalent to a unit cell not used for a circuit configuration 15
`of MTCMOS upon wire processing of MTCMOS. The unit
`cell 51 comprises a PMOS transistor 53 and an NMOS
`transistor 63. A P-type diffused layer 56 of the PMOS
`transistor 53 is electrically connected to a virtual ground line
`71 by a contact 62. An N-type diffused layer 68 of the 20
`NMOS transistor 63 is electrically connected to a virtual
`power supply line 61 by a contact 72. Incidentally, anN well
`59 is fixed to a power supply potential level and a P well 69
`is fixed to a ground potential level, respectively.
`Since the P-type diffused layer 56 of the PMOS transistor 25
`53 is electrically connected to the virtual ground line 71,
`PN-junction capacitance formed between the P-type dif(cid:173)
`fused layer 56 and theN well 59 electrically connected to the
`ground potential is activated as de-coupling capacitance
`(corresponding to a capacitor 21). Therefore, the value of a 30
`voltage applied to the virtual ground line is stabilized.
`Similarly, since the N-type diffused layer 68 of the NMOS
`transistor 63 is electrically connected to the virtual power
`supply line 61, PN-junction capacitance formed between the
`N-type diffused layer 68 and the P well 69 electrically 35
`connected to the power supply potential is activated as
`de-coupling capacitance (corresponding to a capacitor 22).
`Therefore, the value of a voltage applied to the virtual power
`supply line is stabilized. Owing to the provision of such
`capacitors 21 and 22, when switching is done between logic 40
`circuits placed within MTCMOS, the values of the voltages
`applied to the virtual power supply and ground lines can be
`restrained from varying and the delay time can be reduced.
`Third Embodiment
`Similar to the second embodiment, a third embodiment is 45
`equivalent to one related to a pattern layout of the capacitors
`21 and 22 illustrated in the semiconductor integrated circuit
`device shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is a layout showing the third
`embodiment of the present invention. A unit cell 51 is one
`unused for a circuit configuration of MTCMOS upon wire 50
`processing of MTCMOS. The unit cell 51 comprises two
`PMOS transistors 83 each comprised of anN well89, P-type
`diffused layers 86, 87 and 88, and gate electrodes 84 and 85
`all of which are formed on a substrate 82, and two NMOS
`transistors 95 each comprised of a P well 101, N-type 55
`diffused layers 98, 99 and 100, and gate electrodes 96 and 97
`all of which are formed on the substrate 82. The gate
`electrode 84 and P-type diffused layer 86 of each PMOS
`transistor 83 are electrically connected to a virtual ground
`line 103 by contacts 92 and 93. The gate electrode 97 and 60
`N-type diffused layer 100 of each NMOS transistor 95 are
`electrically connected to a virtual power supply line 91 by
`contacts 104 and 105. Incidentally, the N well 89 is fixed to
`a power supply potential level and the P well101 is fixed to
`a ground potential level, respectively.
`Since the gate electrode 84 and P-type diffused layer 86
`of the PMOS transistor 83 are electrically connected to the
`
`65
`
`6
`virtual ground line 103, gate capacitance having a MOS
`capacitor structure, which is formed between the gate elec(cid:173)
`trode 84 and the N well 89, and PN-junction capacitance
`formed between the P-type diffused layer 86 and the N well
`103 electrically connected to the ground potential, are
`respectively activated as de-coupling capacitance
`(corresponding to the capacitor 21). As a result, the value of
`a voltage applied to the virtual ground line is stabilized.
`Similarly, since the gate electrode 97 and N-type diffused
`layer 100 of the NMOS transistor 95 are electrically con(cid:173)
`nected to the virtual power supplly line 91, gate capacitance
`formed between the gate electrode 97 and the Pwell101 and
`PN-junction capacitance formed between the N-type dif(cid:173)
`fused layer 100 and the P well101 electrically connected to
`the power supply potential are respectively activated as
`de-coupling capacitance (corresponding to the capacitor 22).
`Thus, the value of a voltage applied to the virtual power
`supply line is stabilized. Owing to the provision of such
`capacitors 21 and 22, when switching is done between logic
`circuits provided within MTCMOS, the values of the volt(cid:173)
`ages applied to the virtual power supply and ground lines
`can be restrained from varying and the delay time can be
`reduced.
`According to the present invention, as has been described
`above in detail, since the layout of MTCMOS can be
`implemented by the gage array system, the manufacturing
`period can be shortened as compared with the conventional
`standard cell system. Further, according to the present
`invention, since the capacitors for the virtual power supply
`and ground lines are provided, the values of the voltages
`applied to the virtual power supply and ground lines can be
`restrained from varying and the delay time can be reduced
`upon switching between the logic circuits lying within
`MTCMOS.
`While the present invention has been described with
`reference to the illustrative embodiments, this description is
`not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various
`modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as
`other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to
`those skilled in the art on reference to this description. It is
`therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover
`any such modifications or embodiments as fall within the
`true scope of the invention.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A semiconductor integrated circuit device, comprising:
`
`a plurality of first unit cells each including a plurality of
`first MOS transistors, each of the first MOS transistors
`having a first threshold voltage;
`a plurality of second unit cells each including a plurality
`of second MOS transistors, each of the second MOS
`transistors having a second threshold voltage;
`a unit cell array comprised of said first and second unit
`cells laid in array form;
`a power switch disposed around said unit cell array and
`comprised of a plurality of third MOS transistors, each
`of the third MOS transistors having the second thresh(cid:173)
`old voltage; and
`a plurality of input/output circuits disposed around said
`unit cell array.
`2. A semiconductor integrated circuit device according to
`claim 1, wherein said power switch is turned off during
`standby and turned on when taken active.
`3. The semiconductor integrated circuit device according
`to claim 1, wherein parts of said power switch are disposed
`within said unit cell array.
`
`0010
`
`

`

`US 6,239,614 Bl
`
`5
`
`10
`
`7
`4. A semiconductor integrated circuit device comprising:
`a first power supply line supplied with a first power supply
`potential level;
`a second power supply line supplied with a second power
`supply potential level;
`a first virtual power supply line;
`a second virtual power supply line;
`a latch circuit connected between said first and second
`power supply lines;
`a logic circuit connected between said first power supply
`line and said second virtual power supply line;
`a first capacitor connected between said first power supply
`line and said second virtual power supply line; and
`a second capacitor connected between said second power
`supply line and said first virtual power supply line;
`wherein said latch circuit, said logic circuit and said first
`and second capacitors are constructed by connecting
`MOS transistors placed within unit cells in array form.
`5. The semiconductor integrated circuit device according
`to claim 4, wherein said first capacitor is comprised of a first
`MOS transistor, which has a control electrode connected to
`said second virtual power supply line, and first and second
`electrodes commonly connected to said first power supply 25
`line, formed in a first conduction-type region; and
`wherein said second capacitor is comprised of a second
`MOS transistor, which has a control electrode con(cid:173)
`nected to said first virtual power supply line, first and
`
`8
`second electrodes commonly connected to said second
`power supply line, formed in a second conduction-type
`region.
`6. The semiconductor integrated circuit device according
`to claim 4, wherein said first capacitor is comprised of a first
`MOS transistor, which has a first electrode connected to said
`second virtual power supply line, and control and second
`electrodes commonly connected to said first power supply
`line, formed in a first conduction-type region; and
`wherein said second capacitor is comprised of a second
`MOS transistor, which has a first electrode connected to
`said first virtual power supply line, and control and
`second electrodes commonly connected to said second
`power supply line, formed in a second conduction-type
`region.
`7. The semiconductor integrated circuit device according
`to claim 4, wherein said first capacitor is comprised of a first
`MOS transistor, which has control and first electrodes com(cid:173)
`monly connected to said second virtual power supply line,
`20 and a second electrode connected to said first power supply
`line, formed in a first conduction-type region; and
`wherein said second capacitor is comprised of a second
`MOS transistor, which has control and first electrodes
`commonly connected to said first virtual power supply
`line, and a second electrode connected to said second
`power supply line, formed in a second conduction-type
`region.
`
`15
`
`* * * * *
`
`0011
`
`

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still Working On It

This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.

Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.

throbber

A few More Minutes ... Still Working

It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.

Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.

We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

Set your membership status to view this document.

With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll get a whole lot more, including:

  • Up-to-date information for this case.
  • Email alerts whenever there is an update.
  • Full text search for other cases.
  • Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

Become a Member

One Moment Please

The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.

Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!

If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document

We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.

If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.


Access Government Site

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket