High resolution circuit and method for sensing antifuses
AssigneeIntegrated Device Technology, Inc.
InventorsDavid J. Pilling, Raymond M. Chu, Sik K. Lui
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A high resolution sense amplifier and method for sensing the state of antifuses in an integrated circuit is capable of correctly reading even a defectively programmed antifuse having a resistance of up to 20 K.OMEGA. as being programmed. The sense amplifier reads two antifuses at each programmable location, and correctly reads that location as being programmed if either or both of the antifuses at that location have been blown.
Claims14
A sense amplifier for sensing the state of first and second antifuses, comprising:
- a first node capable of being coupled through the first antifuse to ground, and further capable of being coupled to an output pin to thereby provide an output signal on the output pin;
- a second node capable of being coupled through the second antifuse to a supply voltage;
- a sensing circuit for providing at the first node a first output signal of a first logic type if neither of the antifuses is programmed, and for providing at the first node a second output signal of a second logic type if either or both of the antifuses are programmed;
- and
- a third node for receiving an activating signal for activating the sense amplifier to sense the state of the first and second antifuses.
A method for sensing the state of first and second antifuses with a sense amplifier, comprising:
- providing a sensing circuit having first and second nodes, the sensing circuit furnishing at the first node a first output signal of a first logic type if neither of the antifuses is programmed, and furnishing at the first node a second output signal of a second logic type if either or both of the antifuses are programmed;
- coupling the first antifuse between the first node and ground, and further coupling the first node to an output pin to thereby provide an output signal on the output pin;
- coupling the second antifuse between the second node and a supply voltage;
- and
- activating the sense amplifier to sense the state of the first and second antifuses.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.