Methods and apparatus for blowing and sensing antifuses
US6346846B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 17, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 12, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 17, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C17/18
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for blowing and sensing antifuses are provided. Specifically, in a first aspect, a method is provided for changing the state of one of a plurality of antifuses by selecting one of the bank of antifuses and applying a high voltage to change the state of the selected antifuse. In second and third aspects, apparatus are provided for performing the method of the first aspect. In a fourth aspect, a method is provided for boosting a voltage that includes the steps of generating a first voltage within a first stage storage mechanism of a first stage voltage booster circuit, generating a second voltage equaling about twice the first voltage within a first and a second, second stage storage mechanism of a second stage voltage booster circuit, and generating about thrice the first voltage based on the second voltage of the second stage voltage booster circuit. In a fifth aspect, apparatus are provided for performing the method of the fourth aspect.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.