Self-terminating blow process of electrical anti-fuses

An anti-fuse system comprising:

• first and second conductors connected to first and second outputs of a voltage source;
• and
• a multiplicity of anti-fuse circuits, individual ones of said anti-fuse circuits comprising:
• an anti-fuse having a first terminal and a second terminal, said first terminal of said anti-fuse electrically coupled to said first conductor;
• a switching device having a first terminal coupled to said second terminal of said anti-fuse, a second terminal coupled to said second conductor, and a control terminal, said switching device providing a conductive path between said first and second terminal of said switching device in response to a control signal applied to said control terminal;
• and
• a control circuit having a first input coupled for monitoring the voltage level between said anti-fuse and said switching device, an output coupled to said control terminal, and a second input for receiving a signal for selecting said anti-fuse, said control circuit providing said control signal to said control terminal when said anti-fuse has not blown and said signal for selecting is present.

Anti-fuse circuitry comprising:

• an anti-fuse having a first terminal and a second terminal, said first terminal of said anti-fuse electrically coupled to a first output of a voltage source;
• switching means responsive to a control signal coupled between said second terminal of said anti-fuse and a second output of said voltage source, said switching means for selectively providing a conductive path through said switching means;
• and
• a control circuit having a first input coupled for monitoring the voltage level between said anti-fuse and said switching means, an output coupled to said switching means, and a second input for receiving a signal for selecting said anti-fuse, said control circuit operating to provide said control signal to said switching means when said anti-fuse is not blown and said signal for selecting is present.

An anti-fuse system comprising:

• first and second conductors coupled to first and second outputs of a voltage source;
• and
• a multiplicity of anti-fuse circuits, individual ones of said anti-fuse circuits comprising;
• an anti-fuse having a first terminal and a second terminal, said first terminal of said anti-fuse electrically coupled to said first conductor;
• switching means coupled between said second terminal of said anti-fuse, and said second conductor, said switching means for selectively providing a conductive path through said switching means in response to a control signal;
• and
• a control circuit having a first input coupled to said second terminal of said anti-fuse for monitoring a voltage level, an output coupled to said switching means, and a second input for receiving a signal for selecting anti-fuse, said control circuit providing said control signal to said switching means when said anti-fuse has not blown and said signal for selecting is present.