Abstract:
Middle-of-line (MOL) metal resistor temperature sensors for localized temperature sensing of active semiconductor areas in integrated circuits (ICs) are disclosed. One or more metal resistors are fabricated in a MOL layer in the IC adjacent to an active semiconductor area to sense ambient temperature in the adjacent active semiconductor area. Voltage of the metal resistor will change as a function of ambient temperature of the metal resistor, which can be sensed to measure the ambient temperature around devices in the active semiconductor layer adjacent to the metal resistor. By fabricating a metal resistor in the MOL layer, the metal resistor can be localized adjacent and close to semiconductor devices to more accurately sense ambient temperature of the semiconductor devices. The same fabrication processes used to create contacts in the MOL layer can be used to fabricate the metal resistor.
Abstract:
Middle-of-line (MOL) metal resistor temperature sensors for localized temperature sensing of active semiconductor areas in integrated circuits (ICs) are disclosed. One or more metal resistors are fabricated in a MOL layer in the IC adjacent to an active semiconductor area to sense ambient temperature in the adjacent active semiconductor area. Voltage of the metal resistor will change as a function of ambient temperature of the metal resistor, which can be sensed to measure the ambient temperature around devices in the active semiconductor layer adjacent to the metal resistor. By fabricating a metal resistor in the MOL layer, the metal resistor can be localized adjacent and close to semiconductor devices to more accurately sense ambient temperature of the semiconductor devices. The same fabrication processes used to create contacts in the MOL layer can be used to fabricate the metal resistor.
Abstract:
An electronic circuit and methods of operating the electronic circuit are provided. The electronic circuit includes a pull-up transistor for pulling up an input/output (I/O) node of the output circuit to a first voltage and a first isolation transistor for coupling the pull-up transistor to the I/O node. The electronic circuit also includes a pull-down transistor for pulling down the I/O node to a second voltage and a second isolation transistor for coupling the pull-down transistor to the I/O node. In the electronic circuit, the pull-up and the pull-down transistors are transistors supporting a first drain-to-source voltage and a first gate-to-source voltage, while the first and the second isolation transistors are transistors supporting the first drain-to-source voltage and a second gate-to-source voltage greater than the first gate-to-source voltage.
Abstract:
An electronic circuit and methods of operating the electronic circuit are provided. The electronic circuit includes a pull-up transistor for pulling up an input/output (I/O) node of the output circuit to a first voltage and a first isolation transistor for coupling the pull-up transistor to the I/O node. The electronic circuit also includes a pull-down transistor for pulling down the I/O node to a second voltage and a second isolation transistor for coupling the pull-down transistor to the I/O node. In the electronic circuit, the pull-up and the pull-down transistors are transistors supporting a first drain-to-source voltage and a first gate-to-source voltage, while the first and the second isolation transistors are transistors supporting the first drain-to-source voltage and a second gate-to-source voltage greater than the first gate-to-source voltage.
Abstract:
Middle-of-line (MOL) metal resistor temperature sensors for localized temperature sensing of active semiconductor areas in integrated circuits (ICs) are disclosed. One or more metal resistors are fabricated in a MOL layer in the IC adjacent to an active semiconductor area to sense ambient temperature in the adjacent active semiconductor area. Voltage of the metal resistor will change as a function of ambient temperature of the metal resistor, which can be sensed to measure the ambient temperature around devices in the active semiconductor layer adjacent to the metal resistor. By fabricating a metal resistor in the MOL layer, the metal resistor can be localized adjacent and close to semiconductor devices to more accurately sense ambient temperature of the semiconductor devices. The same fabrication processes used to create contacts in the MOL layer can be used to fabricate the metal resistor.