Techniques for facilitating identification updates in an integrated circuit
OwnerSteven Bachman, Lynn Edwardsinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An integrated circuit comprises an identification portion having an output representative of one or more bits of digital information identifying the integrated circuit. This identification information may, for example, allow the manufacturer to determine which photolithographic masks were used to manufacture the integrated circuit. The identification portion is formed at least partially by a plurality of metal levels. Modifications to the integrated circuit's identification information are facilitated by designing the identification portion such that its output can be changed by modifying any one metal level among the plurality of metal levels that form it.
Claims18
An integrated circuit comprising:
- an identification portion having an output representative of one or more bits of digital information identifying the integrated circuit;
- and
- one or more additional portions including active circuitry of the integrated circuit;
- wherein the identification portion and the one or more additional portions are formed at least partially from a plurality of metal levels, and the output of the identification portion can be changed by modifying any one metal level in the plurality of metal levels.
A semiconductor wafer comprising a plurality of integrated circuits, at least one of the plurality of integrated circuits comprising:
- an identification portion having an output representative of one or more bits of digital information identifying the integrated circuit;
- and
- one or more additional portions including active circuitry of the integrated circuit;
- wherein the identification portion and the one or more additional portions are formed at least partially from a plurality of metal levels, and the output of the identification portion can be changed by modifying any one metal level in the plurality of metal levels.
A method for forming an integrated circuit comprising the steps of:
- forming an identification portion having an output representative of one or more bits of digital information identifying the integrated circuit;
- and
- forming one or more additional portions including active circuitry of the integrated circuit;
- wherein the identification portion and the one or more additional portions are formed at least partially from a plurality of metal levels, and the output of the identification portion can be changed by modifying any one metal level in the plurality of metal levels.
A mask set for forming an integrated circuit comprising a plurality of masks capable of being used to form an identification portion having an output representative of one or more bits of digital information identifying the integrated circuit, and capable of being used to form one or more additional portions including active circuitry of the integrated circuit, wherein the identification portion and the one or more additional portions are formed at least partially from a plurality of metal levels, and the output of the identification portion can be changed by modifying any one metal level in the plurality of metal levels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.