Apparatus and method for programming field programmable arrays
US5485105A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 1, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jan 16, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 1, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C2029/5006
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The described embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and method for rapidly programming field programmable devices. A dummy antifuse is provided on the field programmable device for testing prior to actual programming. The current drawn by the device is measured by the programming apparatus until an adequate soaking current is measured while programming the test antifuse. The programming apparatus then records the time required this current level and selects that time as the programming period T.sub.p. This programming time T.sub.p is then used to program the entire device. T.sub.p is now the minimum time required given the process variations of this particular device to adequately program the antifuses which must be blown.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.