Silicon segment programming apparatus and three terminal fuse configuration
US6486528B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 23, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 26, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 23, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10D62/117
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention is a method and apparatus for programming a stack of segments wherein each segment includes a plurality of die which are interconnected through metal interconnects patterned on the surface of each segment. Once the segments are arranged into a stack, the stack is connected to external circuits and each segment is addressed through control lines. Electrically conductive fuses on the segments are used as an interface between the control lines and the die. Segment level programming is performed on each segment by opening the conductive fuses on the segments in a predetermined pattern in order to route the control lines to each segment such that segments are uniquely addressed. After segment level programming, circuit board programming is performed so that any defective die found in the stack is logically replaced with replacement die in the stack. This is accomplished by connecting a set of metal switches between all the die and each of the control lines and by dispensing a conductive epoxy whisker between the control line for the defective die and the metal switch of the replacement die. When a subsequent attempt is made to address the defective die in the stack…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.