Patent US5237184A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5237184A
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Semiconductor integrated circuit
Assignee: Sharp Corp
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Filing: 1991-12-11
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Granted: 1993-08-17
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Expires: 2011-12-11
Abstract
Abstract A semiconductor integrated circuit of the present invention features that a voltage is stably applied to a cell for high-speed operation and the number of lengthy wirings which run around a cell row is reduced without increasing a chip area, so that line efficiency can be improved. Since a power source line 16 and a ground line 17, each having a wide line running width, are formed on a top line layer above a cell 1 so as to cover nearly the whole surface of the cell 1, electrical resistance of the power source line 16 and the ground line 17 is reduced and then the voltage applied to the cell for high-speed operation is stabilized and such design is enabled without increasing the chip area. In addition, since penetrating lines 18 and 19 are formed on the lower line layer on a border between the cells, the number of lengthy lines which run around the cell row can be reduced by using the penetrating lines 18 and 19 as connecting between cells, so that line efficiency can be improved.
Inventors
- 👤 Masashi Yonemaru
- 👤 Yoshiki Shibata
- 👤 Youichi Nakamura
- 👤 Tamotsu Toyooka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:06
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10W; H10W20/00; H10W20/40; H10W20/41; H10W20/43; H10D; H10D84/00; H10D84/90; H10D84/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A semiconductor integrated circuit formed on a substrate for providing a target function comprising: a plurality of cell rows arranged on the substrate, each cell row having a plurality of cells extending in a row direction, each cell having semiconductor elements, said cell rows being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance; a line area provided between adjacent cell rows; a plurality of electrically connecting line layers for connecting the cells, the line layers being formed on the cell rows and the line area between the cell rows, wherein the plurality of line layers includes: a top line layer having: a power source line for applying a power voltage to the cells in the rows; and a ground line for applying a ground potential to the cells in the cell rows; said power source line and said ground line extending in the row direction and substantially covering a surface of the cell row; a lower line layer having a line which extends in a direction orthogonal to the row direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A semiconductor integrated circuit formed on a substrate for providing a target function comprising: a plurality of cell rows arranged on the substrate, each cell row having a plurality of cells extending in a row direction, each cell having semiconductor elements, said cell rows being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance; a line area provided between adjacent cell rows; a plurality of electrically connecting line layers for connecting the cells, the line layers being formed on the cell rows and the line area between the cell rows, wherein the plurality of line layers includes: a top line layer having: a power source line for applying a power voltage to the cells in the rows; and a ground line for applying a ground potential to the cells in the cell rows; said power source line and said ground line extending in the row direction and substantially covering a surface of the cell row; a lower line layer having a line which extends in a direction orthogonal to the row direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A semiconductor integrated circuit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said plurality of cells are standard cells each having a specific function.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A semiconductor integrated circuit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said plurality of cells comprise a gate array system, and wherein a plurality of the cells have substantially identical element structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A semiconductor integrated circuit as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of the power source line and the ground line are formed to extend almost half a width of the cell in a direction orthogonal to the row direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
A semiconductor integrated circuit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lower line layer includes a source connecting line for connecting a cell element to the power source line and a ground connecting line for connecting a cell element to the ground line, the source connecting line and the ground connecting line extending in a direction orthogonal to the row direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A semiconductor integrated circuit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lower line layer includes a penetrating line for connecting semiconductor devices of cells other than the cell which it penetrates.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A semiconductor integrated circuit as set forth in claim 6, wherein the penetrating layer is formed proximate a boarder of the cell which it penetrates.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A semiconductor integrated circuit as set forth in claim 1, wherein a cell row includes a cell dedicated to have a penetrating line in the lower line layer, the penetrating line serving to connect semiconductor devices of cells other than the cell which it penetrates.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A semiconductor integrated circuit as set forth in claim 1, wherein both the source line and the ground line extend substantially over only the cell row.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
192 words
A semiconductor integrated circuit formed on a substrate for providing a target function comprising: a plurality of cell rows arranged on the substrate, each cell row having a plurality of cells extending in a row direction, each cell having semiconductor elements, said cell rows being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance; a line area provided between adjacent cell rows; a plurality of electrically connecting line layers for connecting the cells, the line layers being formed on the cell rows and the line area between the cell rows, wherein the plurality of line layers includes: a top line layer having: a power source line for applying a power voltage to the cells in the cell rows; and a ground line for applying a ground potential to the cells in the cell rows; said power source line and said ground line extending in the row direction and wherein at least one of the power source line and the ground line extend substantially over only the cell row; a lower line layer having a penetrating line which extends between adjacent cells in a row in a direction orthogonal to the row direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
192 words
A semiconductor integrated circuit formed on a substrate for providing a target function comprising: a plurality of cell rows arranged on the substrate, each cell row having a plurality of cells extending in a row direction, each cell having semiconductor elements, said cell rows being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance; a line area provided between adjacent cell rows; a plurality of electrically connecting line layers for connecting the cells, the line layers being formed on the cell rows and the line area between the cell rows, wherein the plurality of line layers includes: a top line layer having: a power source line for applying a power voltage to the cells in the cell rows; and a ground line for applying a ground potential to the cells in the cell rows; said power source line and said ground line extending in the row direction and wherein at least one of the power source line and the ground line extend substantially over only the cell row; a lower line layer having a penetrating line which extends between adjacent cells in a row in a direction orthogonal to the row direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A semiconductor integrated circuit as set forth in claim 10, wherein both the power source line and the ground line extend substantially over only the cell row.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
A semiconductor integrated circuit as set forth in claim 10, wherein at least one of the power source line and the ground line are formed to extend almost half a width of the cell in a direction orthogonal to the row direction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
62 words
A semiconductor integrated circuit as set forth in claim 10, wherein the lower line layer includes a source connecting line for connecting a cell element to the power source line and a ground connecting line for connecting a cell element to the ground line, the source connecting line and the ground connecting line extending in a direction orthogonal to the row direction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A semiconductor integrated circuit as set forth in claim 10, wherein said plurality of cells are standard cells each having a specific function.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
A semiconductor integrated circuit as set forth in claim 10, wherein said plurality of cells comprise a gate array system, and wherein a plurality of the cells have substantially identical element structure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
200 words
A semiconductor integrated circuit formed on a substrate for providing a target function comprising: a plurality of cell rows arranged on the substrate, each cell row having a plurality of cells extending in a row direction, each cell having semiconductor elements, said cell rows being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance; a line area provided between adjacent cell rows; a plurality of electrically connecting line layers for connecting the cells, the line layers being formed on the cell rows and the line area between the cell rows, wherein the plurality of line layers includes: a top line layer having: a power source line for applying a power voltage to the cells in the cell rows; and a ground line for applying a ground potential to the cells in the cell rows; said power source line and said ground line extending in the row direction and wherein at least one of the power source line and the ground line are formed to extend almost half a width of the cell in a direction orthogonal to the row direction; a lower line layer having a line which extends in a row in a direction orthogonal to the row direction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
200 words
A semiconductor integrated circuit formed on a substrate for providing a target function comprising: a plurality of cell rows arranged on the substrate, each cell row having a plurality of cells extending in a row direction, each cell having semiconductor elements, said cell rows being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance; a line area provided between adjacent cell rows; a plurality of electrically connecting line layers for connecting the cells, the line layers being formed on the cell rows and the line area between the cell rows, wherein the plurality of line layers includes: a top line layer having: a power source line for applying a power voltage to the cells in the cell rows; and a ground line for applying a ground potential to the cells in the cell rows; said power source line and said ground line extending in the row direction and wherein at least one of the power source line and the ground line are formed to extend almost half a width of the cell in a direction orthogonal to the row direction; a lower line layer having a line which extends in a row in a direction orthogonal to the row direction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
A semiconductor integrated circuit as set forth in claim 16, wherein the lower line layer includes a penetrating line for connecting semiconductor devices of cells other than the cell which it penetrates.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
A semiconductor integrated circuit as set forth in claim 17, wherein the penetrating line is formed proximate a boarder of the cell which it penetrates.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
45 words
A semiconductor integrated circuit as set forth in claim 16, wherein a cell row includes a cell dedicated to have a penetrating line in the lower line layer, the penetrating line serving to connect semiconductor devices of cells other than the cell which it penetrates.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
A semiconductor integrated circuit as set forth in claim 16, wherein said plurality of cells are standard cells each having a specific function.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
A semiconductor integrated circuit as set forth in claim 16, wherein said plurality of cells comprise a gate array system, and wherein a plurality of the cells have substantially identical element structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-08-16 | 1997-02-15 | 1997-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-16 | 2001-02-15 | 2001-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-16 | 2005-02-15 | 2005-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |