Multi-Terminal Transistor Layout for Flexible Circuit Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional semiconductor devices often have limited flexibility in transistor layout, which restricts complex circuit designs and increases area costs due to the fixed configuration of source/drain terminals and gate regions.
Innovation Solution
The semiconductor device features a source/drain region with multiple terminals (e.g., first, second, and third source/drain terminals) that are separate from the gate region, allowing for a flexible layout with additional terminals like a fourth source/drain terminal, and a third leg that connects between the first and second legs, facilitating distinct transistors and optimizing charging and driving paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional fixed transistor layout is used, then the device structure is simple, but the circuit design flexibility is limited and area cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The source/drain region is segmented into multiple independent terminals (first source/drain terminal, second source/drain terminal, third source/drain terminal) that can be separately connected to different gate regions, enabling flexible circuit configurations without increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-terminal source/drain region serves multiple functions simultaneously - it can define multiple distinct transistors (first transistor, second transistor, third transistor) and support various circuit designs (complex circuit, simplified circuit) using the same basic structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional source/drain terminals are added for complex circuits, then circuit functionality improves, but device area increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple source/drain terminals share a common source/drain region structure, merging what would traditionally be separate components into a single integrated region, thereby providing enhanced circuit functionality without proportionally increasing device area
Solution Approach 2:
The source/drain region extends in multiple directions (first direction for first and second terminals, second direction for third terminal), utilizing spatial dimensions efficiently to accommodate multiple terminals within a compact area
3Productivity
If source/drain terminals are overlapped with gate region, then transistor definition is simple, but charging path optimization is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The source/drain terminals are pre-configured in specific positions relative to gate regions to establish optimized charging paths before operation, with the third terminal specifically positioned to create an efficient charging current path through the source/drain region
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device includes a gate region, a source/drain region and an insulating layer between the gate region and the source/drain region. The source/drain region includes a first leg extending in a first direction, a second leg extending in parallel with the first leg, and a third leg connected between the first leg and the second leg.