Patent US5892249A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5892249A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Integrated circuit having reprogramming cell
Assignee: VIA Cyrix Inc
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Filing: 1996-02-23
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Granted: 1999-04-06
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Expires: 2016-02-23
Abstract
Abstract An integrated circuit is reprogrammable in metal using (a) a set of spare devices, and (b) separate arrays of spare rows and columns. The spare rows are formed in the top metal layer, and the spare columns are formed in the next to the top metal layer (for example, metal layers 4 and 5 of a 5 level metal process). Use of arrays of spare rows/columns facilitates silicon debug of the integrated circuit using FIB (focused ion beam) reprogramming without requiring FIB connections of more than 500 μm.
Inventors
- 👤 David A. Courtright
- 👤 David L. Trawick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 03:28
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10D; H10D84/00; H10D84/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
257 words
An integrated circuit, comprising: a plurality of devices formed in a semiconductor layer; a reprogramming cell, comprising: a plurality of spare devices formed in said semiconductor layer, each of said spare devices having an input line and an output line formed in a first conductive layer, said first conductive layer being the first conductive layer above said semiconductor layer in said integrated circuit; a first set of columns formed on a second conductive layer, said second conductive layer being the first conductive layer below a top conductive layer of said integrated circuit, wherein respective ones of said first set of columns are coupled with respective ones of said input lines to said spare devices; a second set of columns formed on said second conductive layer, wherein respective ones of said second set of columns are coupled with respective ones of said output lines to said spare devices; a plurality of connector rows formed on said top conductive layer, wherein respective ones of said connector rows are coupled with respective ones of said first set of columns, and wherein respective ones of said connector rows are coupled with respective ones of said second set of columns; and a plurality of rows formed on said top conductive layer for coupling with said connector rows; and a spare column cell formed in said second conductive layer for coupling with said plurality of rows in said reprogramming cell; and a spare row cell formed in said top conductive layer for coupling with said spare column cell and said plurality of devices.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
257 words
An integrated circuit, comprising: a plurality of devices formed in a semiconductor layer; a reprogramming cell, comprising: a plurality of spare devices formed in said semiconductor layer, each of said spare devices having an input line and an output line formed in a first conductive layer, said first conductive layer being the first conductive layer above said semiconductor layer in said integrated circuit; a first set of columns formed on a second conductive layer, said second conductive layer being the first conductive layer below a top conductive layer of said integrated circuit, wherein respective ones of said first set of columns are coupled with respective ones of said input lines to said spare devices; a second set of columns formed on said second conductive layer, wherein respective ones of said second set of columns are coupled with respective ones of said output lines to said spare devices; a plurality of connector rows formed on said top conductive layer, wherein respective ones of said connector rows are coupled with respective ones of said first set of columns, and wherein respective ones of said connector rows are coupled with respective ones of said second set of columns; and a plurality of rows formed on said top conductive layer for coupling with said connector rows; and a spare column cell formed in said second conductive layer for coupling with said plurality of rows in said reprogramming cell; and a spare row cell formed in said top conductive layer for coupling with said spare column cell and said plurality of devices.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein said spare column cell comprises a plurality of spare columns.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein said spare row cell comprises a plurality of spare rows.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein said plurality of devices comprise a standard cell cite having a plurality of standard logic cells housing said plurality of devices.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1 and further comprising a plurality of spare row cells equally spaced no more than about 1000 μm apart.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1 and further comprising a plurality of spare column cells equally spaced no more than about 1000 μm apart.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein said connector rows are formed between said plurality of rows.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The integrated circuit of claim 7 wherein a spacing between said connector rows and said plurality of rows is less than about 1 μm.
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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) | 2002-04-05 | 2002-10-05 | 2003-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-04-05 | 2006-10-05 | 2007-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-04-05 | 2010-10-05 | 2011-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |