Programmable logic devices optionally convertible to one time programmable devices
US7355878B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 18, 2006 |
| Grant date | Apr 8, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 26, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C2216/26
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Programmable logic devices (PLDs) that can be repeatedly erased and reprogrammed, e.g., during the testing and/or design phases, and then converted to one-time programmable (OTP) devices on a permanent basis, and methods of converting a PLD to an OTP device. In some embodiments, only the erase function is disabled in the device. Because programming data cannot then be erased from the device, the addition of new programming data is very unlikely to yield an operable design. Therefore, the programming function is also effectively disabled. The programming function can be directly disabled in addition to or instead of the erase function, if desired. The erase and/or programming functions can be disabled, for example, by blowing one or more fuses included in the erase and/or programming circuitry of the PLD.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.