Methods for preventing disturbance of antifuses during programming
US5194759A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 13, 1992 |
| Grant date | Mar 16, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 13, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C17/18
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method to minimize disturbance of an already programmed antifuse while programming other antifuses in a circuit includes the steps of determining a preferred order in which to program the antifuses and programming them in the preferred order. High initial programming and soak currents are selected such that the disturb current is small with respect thereto. The magnitude of the disturb current is increased to a value that maintains the antifuse resistance or improves it rather than adversely affect it. Where a circuit node containing a first already programmed antifuse is positioned such that parasitic capacitances may discharge through that antifuse during the programming of a second antifuse, the magnitude of the charge stored at parasitic capacitances associated with the programming path is reduced by reducing the programming voltage when this programming situation is detected. After the initial rupturing of the antifuse dielectric is detected, the programming voltage is increased to its normal value for the soaking period.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.