摘要:
A differential fuse sensing system includes a fuse leg configured for introducing a sense current through an electrically programmable fuse (eFUSE) to be sensed, and a differential sense amplifier having a first input node coupled to the fuse leg and a second node coupled to a reference voltage. The fuse leg further includes a current supply device controlled by a variable reference current generator configured to generate an output signal therefrom such that the voltage on the first input node of the sense amplifier is equal to the voltage on the second input node of the sense amplifier whenever the resistance value of the eFUSE is equal to the resistance value of a programmable variable resistance device included within the variable reference current generator.
摘要:
Disclosed is a method of repairing an integrated circuit of the type comprising of a multitude of memory arrays and a fuse box holding control data for controlling redundancy logic of the arrays. The method comprises the steps of providing the integrated circuit with a control data selector for passing the control data from the fuse box to the memory arrays; providing a source of alternate control data, external of the integrated circuit; and connecting the source of alternate control data to the control data selector. The method comprises the further step of, at a given time, passing the alternate control data from the source thereof, through the control data selector and to the memory arrays to control the redundancy logic of the memory arrays.
摘要:
Disclosed is a method of repairing an integrated circuit of the type comprising of a multitude of memory arrays and a fuse box holding control data for controlling redundancy logic of the arrays. The method comprises the steps of providing the integrated circuit with a control data selector for passing the control data from the fuse box to the memory arrays; providing a source of alternate control data, external of the integrated circuit; and connecting the source of alternate control data to the control data selector. The method comprises the further step of, at a given time, passing the alternate control data from the source thereof, through the control data selector and to the memory arrays to control the redundancy logic of the memory arrays.
摘要:
A method for providing quality control on wafers running on a manufacturing line is disclosed. The resistances on a group of manufacturing test structures within a wafer running on a wafer manufacturing line are initially measured. Then, an actual distribution value is obtained based on the result of the measured resistances on the group of manufacturing test structures. The difference between the actual distribution value and a predetermined distribution value is recorded. Next, the resistances on a group of design test structures within the wafer are measured. The measured resistances of the group of design test structures are correlated to the measured resistances of the group of manufacturing test structures in order to obtain an offset value. The resistance of an adjustable resistor circuit within the wafer and subsequent wafers running on the wafer manufacturing line are adjusted according to the offset value.
摘要:
A method of memory BIST (Built-In Self Test) and memory repair that stores a redundancy calculation on-chip, as opposed to scanning this data off-chip for later use. This method no longer requires level-sensitive scan design (LSSD) scanning of memory redundancy data off-chip to the tester, and therefore does not require re-contacting of the chip for electrical fuse blow.
摘要:
According to the preferred embodiment, a device and method is provided for reducing power consumption in memory devices. The preferred embodiment reduces power consumption by providing a sense amplifier that reduces power consumption while providing high performance. In the preferred embodiment, the sense amplifier comprises a bi-directional sense amp that is configurable for use on low power static random access memory (SRAM) devices. The bi-directional sense amp allows the same sense amp to be used for both read and write operations on the memory cells. The preferred embodiment sense amp facilitates the use of differential data buses, further reducing power consumption while providing high performance. Thus, the preferred embodiment bi-directional differential sense amp reduces the device size and complexity, reducing power consumption while providing high performance memory access.
摘要:
Aspects of the invention provide for creating a built-in-self-test (BIST) organizational file for an integrated circuit (IC) chip. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving a design file including a hierarchy of memory modules, each module including a plurality of memory wrappers; scanning each memory wrapper in each hierarchical level of memory modules for a BIST type; creating, based on the hierarchical level and the BIST type, an ordered list of memory wrappers; adding, based on the BIST type, a BIST engine for each memory wrapper listed in the ordered list; and adding a plurality of references statements to the ordered list to create the BIST organizational file.
摘要:
Disclosed is a program for creating a checking-statement which can be subsequently used to validate interconnections between logic blocks in a circuit design. The checking-statement is created by taking a description of how logic blocks in a circuit design are associated to one another (if at all), and cross referencing the description with rule statements specific to each logic block defining the allowable connections between the specific logic block and other logic blocks.
摘要:
Disclosed is a program for creating a checking-statement which can be subsequently used to validate interconnections between logic blocks in a circuit design. The checking-statement is created by taking a description of how logic blocks in a circuit design are associated to one another (if at all), and cross referencing the description with rule statements specific to each logic block defining the allowable connections between the specific logic block and other logic blocks.
摘要:
Disclosed are embodiments of an asynchronous pipeline circuit. In each stage of the circuit, a variable delay line is incorporated into the request signal path. A tap encoder monitors data entering the stage to detect any state changes occurring in specific data bits. Based on the results of this monitoring (i.e., based on which of the specific data bits, if any, exhibit state changes), the tap encoder enables a specific tap in the variable delay line and, thereby, automatically adjusts the delay of a request signal transmitted along the request signal path. Using a variable request signal delay allows data from a transmitting stage to be captured by a receiving stage prior to the expiration of the maximum possible processing time associated with the transmitting stage, thereby minimizing overall processing time. Also disclosed are embodiments of methods for asynchronous pipeline processing with variable request signal delay and for incorporating variable request signal delay into an asynchronous pipeline circuit design.