Programming programmable transistor devices using state machines

The method of programming programmable transistors on an integrated circuit device on which a programming time parameter value is stored, said value being indicative of a time interval appropriate for performing a programming operation on that integrated circuit device, said method comprising the steps of:

• reading said value from said integrated circuit device;
• generating a programming instruction for causing performance of said programming operation;
• applying said programming instruction to said integrated circuit device for storage in an instruction register of said device;
• and
• waiting for a time period which is at least approximately equal to said time interval indicated by said value before applying a different instruction to said integrated circuits.

Apparatus for programming programmable transistors on an integrated circuit device, said integrated circuit device normally operating with electrical signals in a predetermined voltage range, but programming of a programmable transistor on said integrated circuit device requiring applying to said programmable transistor a programming voltage outside of said predetermined voltage range, said apparatus comprising:

• an instruction register on said integrated circuit device;
• a programming voltage generating circuit on said integrated circuit device for selectively generating said programming voltage from voltages in said predetermined range in response to a programming instruction stored in said instruction register;
• and
• programming control apparatus physically separate from said integrated circuit device but electrically connectable thereto for applying said programming instruction to said integrated circuit for storage in said instruction register.

Apparatus for programming programmable transistors on an integrated circuit device comprising:

• an instruction register on said integrated circuit device for storing programming instructions applied to said device;
• programming control apparatus physically separate from said integrated circuit device but electrically connectable thereto for successively applying a plurality of programming instructions to said integrated circuit device for successive storage in said instruction register, said programming instructions including a first programming instruction followed after at least a predetermined minimum time interval by a second programming instruction;
• wherein said integrated circuit device further comprises:
• a first circuit responsive to said first programming instruction being present in said instruction register for performing a first programming operation;
• and
• a second circuit responsive to said second programming instruction being present in said instruction register for performing a second programming operation.