US5289113A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
PROM for integrated circuit identification and testing
Assignee: Analog Devices Inc
•
Filing: 1989-08-01
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Granted: 1994-02-22
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Expires: 2009-08-01
Abstract
Abstract In an integrated circuit package, a ROM is provided for identifying the device for testing purposes. The ROM is programmed, for example, by cutting resistor links. The resistor links set the output of the PROM. This output is a binary word which is read by the tester at the same time that the tester performs measurements on the reference device. With this information the tester can then perform various calculations.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard A. Meaney
- 👤 Raymond J. Speer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 06:26
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/006; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/28; G01R31/317; G01R31/3181; G01R31/319; G01R31/31903; G01R31/31908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
In the testing of a plurality of electronic devices to determine at least one parameter or performance characteristic of each device, wherein the data resulting from the testing is to be correlated to the electronic device producing said data, the method which comprises: co-packaging with each said electronic device a read-only memory (ROM) thereby forming a co-packaged electronic device; programming the ROM with an identification code of a predetermined number of bits which identifies the co-packaged electronic device uniquely from all other possible such electronic devices; said code being used to identify unambiguously said co-packaged electronic device; reading from said co-packaged ROM the identification code programmed therein when measuring a selected characteristic of any of said electronic devices; and associating the measurement of the selected characteristic with the read identification code.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
In the testing of a plurality of electronic devices to determine at least one parameter or performance characteristic of each device, wherein the data resulting from the testing is to be correlated to the electronic device producing said data, the method which comprises: co-packaging with each said electronic device a read-only memory (ROM) thereby forming a co-packaged electronic device; programming the ROM with an identification code of a predetermined number of bits which identifies the co-packaged electronic device uniquely from all other possible such electronic devices; said code being used to identify unambiguously said co-packaged electronic device; reading from said co-packaged ROM the identification code programmed therein when measuring a selected characteristic of any of said electronic devices; and associating the measurement of the selected characteristic with the read identification code.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the ROM is formed on a substrate; and the electronic device also is formed on the substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the ROM is formed on a first substrate; and the electronic device is formed on a second substrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of programming the ROM with a device-unique identification code permanently alters the ROM.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the ROM includes a thin-film resistor link for each bit to be programmed and the step of programming the ROM includes the operation of cutting the selected resistor link for each bit to be set to a predetermined state.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of measuring a selected characteristic of the device is performed by using an automatic tester.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the selected characteristic of the device is a temperature coefficient and the automatic tester includes means for calculating the temperature coefficient of each electronic device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said identification code is non-randomly generated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
81 words
In an integrated circuit package containing an electronic device, the improvement comprising, in addition to said device, electrically readable means, said electrically readable means is a ROM, which stores a unique device identification code and which is electrically readable for supplying one or more electrical signals for conveying said code, to identify the electronic device uniquely from all other possible such electronic devices such that said unique device identification code is associated with at least one performance characteristic of said device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
81 words
In an integrated circuit package containing an electronic device, the improvement comprising, in addition to said device, electrically readable means, said electrically readable means is a ROM, which stores a unique device identification code and which is electrically readable for supplying one or more electrical signals for conveying said code, to identify the electronic device uniquely from all other possible such electronic devices such that said unique device identification code is associated with at least one performance characteristic of said device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein: the electronic device is formed on a first substrate disposed in the package; and said electrically readable means also is formed on said first substrate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein: the electronic device is formed on a first substrate disposed in the package; and said electrically readable means is formed on a second substrate disposed in the package.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the electrically readable means is a non-volatile ROM programmed once with a digital code.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 12 or 11 wherein said non-volatile ROM is connected to be read via an output bus which is connected to be employed for other purposes by the electronic device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 12 where said non-volatile ROM is programmed to contain said digital code by cutting links in said non-volatile ROM.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said digital code is non-randomly generated.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said non-volatile ROM is formed on the same substrate as said electronic device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-02-21 | 1997-08-23 | 1998-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-21 | 2001-08-23 | 2002-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-21 | 2005-08-23 | 2006-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |