Abstract:
System and method for testing the reliability of a fuse blow condition. The fuse blow detection circuit includes a fuse circuit comprising a fuse having a first end coupled to ground. A common node is coupled to the second end of the fuse. A pre- charge circuit is coupled to the common node for pre-charging the common node to a pre-charged HIGH level. An inverter includes an inverter output and an inverter input, wherein the inverter input is coupled to the common node. A feedback latch is coupled between a voltage source and ground, and includes a latch input that is coupled to the inverter output and a latch output coupled to the common node. A test circuit is included that is coupled to the common node, wherein in a normal mode the test circuit adds strength to the feedback latch for purposes of maintaining the common node at the pre-charged HIGH level, such that in a test mode the feedback latch is weaker than in the normal mode for purposes of maintaining the common node at the pre-charged HIGH level.
Abstract:
A low voltage programmable electronic fuse structure incorporating a differential sensing scheme is disclosed for integrated circuits. The programming step is performed at about 1.5 times Vdd while the sense operation is performed at Vdd, which limits the resistance variation through the electronic fuse (xF[j]) caused by the sense operation. The magnitude of the current required for sensing is reduced another factor of two because a reference fuse (xF) and the fuse to be programmed (xF[ j]) are coupled in series, whereas during programming only the programmed fuse (xF[j]) limits the programming current. During the sense operation a gating transistor (mNR) emulates the voltage drop across a fuse select transistor (g[j]) for the case of an intact fuse. A circuit and method for characterizing the resistance of the electronic fuse are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A dual function serial and parallel data register with integrated program verify functionality. The master and slave latching circuits of the dual function data register can concurrently store two different words of data. In a program verify operation, the master latch stores program data and the slave latch will receive and store read data. Comparison logic in each register stage will compare the data of both latches, and integrate the comparison result to that of the previous register stage. The final single bit result will indicate the presence of at least one bit that has not been programmed. Automatic program inhibit logic in each stage will prevent successfully programmed bits from being re-programmed in each subsequent reprogram cycle. Either data word can be serially clocked out by selectively starting the shift operations on either the low or high active logic level of a clock signal.
Abstract:
A secure one-time programmable (OTP) salicided poly fuse array (2x8) cells with a power-on or on-reset hardware security feature is proposed. The secure OTP which is based on a primitive building cell that includes a salicided poly fuse and a MOS switch, utilize the same building block of the un-secure larger OTP array. This includes an enhanced multistage track & latch sense amp, or comparator, primitive memory cells, decoders for write and read mechanism, and a similar control block.
Abstract:
Electrical current sensing and monitoring methods include connecting a compensation circuit across a conductor having a non-linear resistance such as a fuse element. The compensation circuit injects a current or voltage to the conductor that allows the resistance of the conductor to be determined. The current flowing in the conductor can be calculated based on a sensed voltage across the conductor once the resistance of the conductor has been determined.
Abstract:
Electrical current sensing and monitoring methods include connecting a compensation circuit across a conductor having a non-linear resistance such as a fuse element. The compensation circuit injects a current or voltage to the conductor that allows the resistance of the conductor to be determined. The current flowing in the conductor can be calculated based on a sensed voltage across the conductor once the resistance of the conductor has been determined.
Abstract:
The present disclosure provides semiconductor devices and methods, systems, and apparatus for testing and operating the same. A semiconductor memory device includes data storage elements and a repair circuit. The data storage elements include primary data storage elements and one or more redundant data storage elements, the primary data storage elements having respective addresses for memory access operations. The repair circuit is programmable by another semiconductor device separate from the memory device to recognize a malfunctioning address of the primary data storage elements and the programmed repair circuit is configured to reroute memory access from a primary data storage element having the recognized malfunctioning address to a corresponding redundant data storage element.
Abstract:
A method of providing optimal fuse programming conditions by which an integrated circuit chip customer may program electronic fuses in the field, i.e., outside of the manufacturing test environment. An optimal fuse programming identifier, which is correlated to optimal fuse programming conditions, may be provided to the customer in readable fashion on the customer's IC chip. Accessing the optimal fuse programming identifier on the customer's IC chip, the customer may apply a fuse programming process in the field according to one or more correlated optimal fuse programming conditions.