Circuits associated with fusible elements for establishing and detecting of the states of those elements
US6972614B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 7, 2004 |
| Grant date | Dec 6, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 7, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C17/18
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An identification circuit for establishing and sensing the state of a fusible element used in on chip identification of the chip's type comprising: a circuit establishing control signals for turning the identification circuit on and off; dual paths energized by the control signals generated by the level setting circuit to energize one path through the fusible element to provide a state level and the other path through a reference path which provides a reference voltage level which is distinguishable from both the blown and unblown states of the fusible element; a differential sensing circuit for comparing the reference voltage level to the state level to provide a signal indicating the state of the fusible element; and protection circuitry to protect the circuit during an operation in which the state of the fusible element is set.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.