US4782320A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mesh network for laser-trimmed integrated circuit resistors
Assignee: Vermont Technical College
•
Filing: 1986-11-03
•
Granted: 1988-11-01
•
Expires: 2006-11-03
Abstract
Abstract A resistor network coupling two terminal leads and adapted to be fabricated on an integrated circuit. A plurality of N-sided meshes are each formed by N resistor elements linked at network nodes. Some of the resistor elements can be cut by a laser under computer control to select a desired resistance value of the network.
Inventors
- 👤 John S. Shier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:46
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01C; H01C17/00; H01C17/22; H01C17/23; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for obtaining a desired resistance value between two terminal leads, including: providing a resistor network which includes a plurality of N-sided meshes of N discrete resistor elements which couple two terminal leads, wherein N is greater than or equal to three; storing data representative of patterns of broken resistor elements from the network and corresponding resistance values of the network; and permanently breaking resistor elements from the network as a function of the stored data so as to cause the network to have the desired resistance value.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for obtaining a desired resistance value between two terminal leads, including: providing a resistor network which includes a plurality of N-sided meshes of N discrete resistor elements which couple two terminal leads, wherein N is greater than or equal to three; storing data representative of patterns of broken resistor elements from the network and corresponding resistance values of the network; and permanently breaking resistor elements from the network as a function of the stored data so as to cause the network to have the desired resistance value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein permanently breaking resistor elements includes severing resistor elements with a beam of radiation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein permanently breaking resistor elements includes breaking resistor elements to create a pattern of broken resistor elements from the network corresponding to the desired resistance of the network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 and further including: determining a desired resistance value of the resistor network; and accessing the stored data to determine a pattern of broken elements in the network corresponding to the desired resistance value of the network, before permanently breaking the resistor elements.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for adjusting electrical characteristics of an integrated circuit including: providing an integrated circuit with a resistor network including a plurality of network nodes, wherein each network node is linked to at least two adjacent network nodes by discrete resistor elements, and some of the network nodes are linked to at least three adjacent network nodes by discrete resistor elements; storing data representative of patterns of broken resistor elements in the network and corresponding resistance values of the network; determining a desired resistance value of the resistor network; accessing the stored data to determine a pattern of broken resistor elements in the network corresponding to the desired resistance value of the network; and permanently breaking resistor elements in the network as a function of the accessed data to cause the network to have the desired resistance value.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for adjusting electrical characteristics of an integrated circuit including: providing an integrated circuit with a resistor network including a plurality of network nodes, wherein each network node is linked to at least two adjacent network nodes by discrete resistor elements, and some of the network nodes are linked to at least three adjacent network nodes by discrete resistor elements; storing data representative of patterns of broken resistor elements in the network and corresponding resistance values of the network; determining a desired resistance value of the resistor network; accessing the stored data to determine a pattern of broken resistor elements in the network corresponding to the desired resistance value of the network; and permanently breaking resistor elements in the network as a function of the accessed data to cause the network to have the desired resistance value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 5 wherein permanently breaking resistor elements includes severing resistor elements with a beam of radiation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-01 | 1992-05-02 | 1992-11-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-01 | 1996-05-02 | 1996-11-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-01 | 2000-05-02 | 2000-11-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |