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 first control signal being applied to said control terminal;
• and
• a control circuit having a first input coupled for monitoring a voltage change occurring at said second terminal of said anti-fuse when said anti-fuse changes to a conductive state from a non-conductive state, 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 first control signal to said control terminal when said anti-fuse has not been blown and said signal for selecting is present, and not providing said first control signal to said control terminal when said voltage change indicates said anti-fuse has been blown.

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 first 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 a voltage change occurring at said second terminal of said anti-fuse when said anti-fuse changes to a conductive state from a non-conductive state 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 first control signal to said switching means when said anti-fuse has not been blown and said signal for selecting is present, and to not provide said first control signal to said switching means when said voltage change indicates said anti-fuse has been blown.

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 first control signal;
• and
• a control circuit having a first input coupled to said second terminal of said anti-fuse for monitoring a voltage change occurring at said second terminal of said anti-fuse when said anti-fuse changes from a conductive to a non-conductive state, an output coupled to said switching means, and a second input for receiving a signal for selecting anti-fuse, said control circuit providing said first control signal to said switching means when said anti-fuse has not been blown and said signal for selecting is present, and not providing said first control signal to said switching means when said voltage change indicates said anti-fuse has been blown.