Abstract:
A few times programmable (FTP) storage element is provided. The FTP storage element includes a set of N elementary memory units and multiple selection circuits. Each of the elementary memory units includes an address bus for connection to a main address bus and a data bus for connection to a main data bus. The selection circuits generate successive selection signals for successively selecting one of the elementary memory units in order to give exclusive access to the one selected elementary memory unit. The selection circuits operate so as to automatically select a next one of the elementary memory units upon detection of a predetermined condition. In preferred embodiments, each of the elementary memory units is programmable.
Abstract:
A method of repairing a defect in an integrated electronic circuit caused by an incorrect lithographic mask includes the formation of an electrical isolation between two conducting parts of the circuit. The electrical isolation is obtained by at least partly filling, with an electrically insulating material, a volume hollowed out beforehand which would otherwise, and incorrectly, form an electrical connection between the two conducting parts. To do this, a mask having an aperture revealing the hollowed out volume is formed on the circuit, and the mask used to direct the filling of the electrically insulating material and correction of the lithography defined defect.
Abstract:
A memory circuit with an error correcting system comprising an address bus (102), an input data bus (108), and an output data bus (115), the circuit comprising a memory having an address bus (113), a data bus (114) and an error correcting circuit comprising an encoder (107). A first address register (104) is connected to the input address bus of the circuit for successively storing addresses corresponding to memory write operations only. A second data register (105) is connected to the input data bus of the circuit (108) for storing data transmitted to the encoder (107). Circuits make it possible to introduce a one-cycle shift into the memory writes, without modifying reads, giving the encoder more time to compute error correcting codes.