Method of operating programmable resistant element
AssigneeOvonyx, Inc.
InventorWard Parkinson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of programming a programmable resistance element. The programmable resistance element may be programmed to a BLOWN state. After being programmed to the BLOWN state, the element can no longer be programmed to its low resistance state. The method of programming allows the programmable resistance element to be used as a fuse.
Claims28
A method of operating a programmable resistance element having at least a low resistance state and a high resistance state, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing said programmable resistance element, said element including a programmable resistance material;
- and
- applying energy to said programmable resistance material sufficient to transform said programmable resistance element to a condition wherein application of additional energy is unable to transform said programmable resistance element to said low resistance state.
A method of customizing an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit including a first circuit coupled to a second circuit through a programmable resistance element having at least a low resistance state and a high resistance state, said element including a programmable resistance material, the method including the step of:
- applying energy to said programmable resistance material sufficient to transform said programmable resistance element to a condition wherein application of additional energy is unable to transform said programmable resistance element to said low resistance state.
An electrically programmable memory array, comprising:
- a plurality of programmable resistance elements having at least a low resistance state and a high resistance state, at least one of said elements being in a condition such that applying energy to said element in said condition is unable to transform said element in said condition to said low resistance state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.