US6084814A
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US
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Antifuse detection circuit
Assignee: Micron Technology Inc
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Filing: 1998-08-27
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Granted: 2000-07-04
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Expires: 2018-08-27
Abstract
Abstract An antifuse detection circuit is described which uses a latching circuit and two antifuses. The antifuses are coupled between the latch circuit and ground. The latching circuit described is a differential circuit which can detect which one of the two antifuses has been programmed. The circuit accurately detects an antifuse which has a relatively high resistance after being programmed.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen L. Casper
- 👤 Chris G. Martin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:42
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C17/00; G11C17/14; G11C17/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
An antifuse detection circuit, comprising: a first antifuse having first and second nodes, the first node connected to receive a first reference voltage, and the second node connected to source of a first n-channel transistor; a first p-channel transistor having a source connected to a drain of the first n-channel transistor, and a drain connected to a source of a second p-channel transistor, a drain of the second p-channel transistor is connected to receive a second reference voltage; a second antifuse having first and second nodes, the first node connected to receive the first reference voltage, and the second node connected to a source of a second n-channel transistor; and a third p-channel transistor having a source connected to a drain of the second n-channel transistor, and a drain connected to a source of a fourth p-channel transistor, a drain of the fourth p-channel transistor is connected to receive the second reference voltage; wherein the drain of the first n-channel transistor is connected to a gate of the fourth p-channel transistor, and the drain of the second n-channel transistor is connected to a gate of the second p-channel transistor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
An antifuse detection circuit, comprising: a first antifuse having first and second nodes, the first node connected to receive a first reference voltage, and the second node connected to source of a first n-channel transistor; a first p-channel transistor having a source connected to a drain of the first n-channel transistor, and a drain connected to a source of a second p-channel transistor, a drain of the second p-channel transistor is connected to receive a second reference voltage; a second antifuse having first and second nodes, the first node connected to receive the first reference voltage, and the second node connected to a source of a second n-channel transistor; and a third p-channel transistor having a source connected to a drain of the second n-channel transistor, and a drain connected to a source of a fourth p-channel transistor, a drain of the fourth p-channel transistor is connected to receive the second reference voltage; wherein the drain of the first n-channel transistor is connected to a gate of the fourth p-channel transistor, and the drain of the second n-channel transistor is connected to a gate of the second p-channel transistor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The antifuse detection circuit of claim 1 further comprising: antifuse programming circuitry connected to the first and second antifuses for selectively programming one of the antifuses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
162 words
The antifuse detection circuit of claim 1 wherein the antifuse programming circuitry comprises: a first isolation transistor connected to the first node of the first antifuse to isolate the first node from the first reference voltage; a first programming transistor having a drain adapted to receive a program voltage and a source connected to the first node of the first antifuse; a second programing transistor having a drain connected to the second node of the first antifuse, and a source connected to receive the first reference voltage; a second isolation transistor connected to the first node of the second antifuse to isolate the first node from the first reference voltage; a third programming transistor having a drain adapted to receive the program voltage and a source connected to the first node of the second antifuse; and a fourth programing transistor having a drain connected to the second node of the second antifuse, and a source connected to receive the first reference voltage.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
143 words
A system, comprising: a processor; and a memory device, wherein the memory device comprises: an array of memory cells; and an antifuse detection circuit, wherein the antifuse detection circuit comprises: first and second antifuses, each antifuse having a first node connected to a common reference voltage, and a second node connected to a latch circuit; and the latch circuit comprising first and second cross-coupled p-channel transistors, a drain of the first and second p-channel transistors is connected to a second reference voltage, a source of the first p-channel transistor is connected to a gate of the second p-channel transistor, a source of the second p-channel transistor is connected to a gate of the first channel transistor, the first antifuse is connected to the source of the first p-channel transistor, and the second antifuse is connected to the source of the second p-channel transistor.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
143 words
A system, comprising: a processor; and a memory device, wherein the memory device comprises: an array of memory cells; and an antifuse detection circuit, wherein the antifuse detection circuit comprises: first and second antifuses, each antifuse having a first node connected to a common reference voltage, and a second node connected to a latch circuit; and the latch circuit comprising first and second cross-coupled p-channel transistors, a drain of the first and second p-channel transistors is connected to a second reference voltage, a source of the first p-channel transistor is connected to a gate of the second p-channel transistor, a source of the second p-channel transistor is connected to a gate of the first channel transistor, the first antifuse is connected to the source of the first p-channel transistor, and the second antifuse is connected to the source of the second p-channel transistor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
84 words
The system of claim 4, wherein the latch circuit further comprises: a first n-channel transistor having a drain connected to the gate of the second p-channel transistor, a source connected to the second node of the first antifuse, and a gate connected to receive a bias voltage; and a second n-channel transistor having a drain connected to the gate of the first p-channel transistor, a source connected to the second node of the second antifuse, and a gate connected to receive the bias voltage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
The system of claim 4, wherein the latch circuit further comprises: a third p-channel transistor having a drain connected to the source of the first p-channel transistor, a source connected to the first antifuse, and a gate connected to receive a bias voltage; and a fourth p-channel transistor having a drain connected to the source of the second p-channel transistor, a source connected to the second antifuse, and a gate connected to receive the bias voltage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 4, wherein the antifuse detection circuit further comprises: programming circuitry connected to the first and second antifuses for selectively programming one of the antifuses.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
215 words
A system, comprising: a processor; and a memory device, wherein the memory device comprises: an array of memory cells; and an antifuse detection circuit, wherein the antifuse detection circuit comprises: a first antifuse having first and second nodes, the first node connected to receive a first reference voltage, and the second node connected to a source of a first n-channel transistor; a first p-channel transistor having a source connected to a drain of the first n-channel transistor, and a drain connected to a source of a second p-channel transistor, a drain of the second p-channel transistor is connected to receive a second reference voltage; a second antifuse having first and second nodes, the first node connected to receive the first reference voltage, and the second node connected to a source of a second n-channel transistor; and a third p-channel transistor having a source connected to a drain of the second n-channel transistor, and a drain connected to a source of a fourth p-channel transistor, a drain of the fourth p-channel transistor is connected to receive the second reference voltage; wherein the drain of the first n-channel transistor is connected to a gate of the fourth p-channel transistor, and the drain of the second n-channel transistor is connected to a gate of the second p-channel transistor.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
215 words
A system, comprising: a processor; and a memory device, wherein the memory device comprises: an array of memory cells; and an antifuse detection circuit, wherein the antifuse detection circuit comprises: a first antifuse having first and second nodes, the first node connected to receive a first reference voltage, and the second node connected to a source of a first n-channel transistor; a first p-channel transistor having a source connected to a drain of the first n-channel transistor, and a drain connected to a source of a second p-channel transistor, a drain of the second p-channel transistor is connected to receive a second reference voltage; a second antifuse having first and second nodes, the first node connected to receive the first reference voltage, and the second node connected to a source of a second n-channel transistor; and a third p-channel transistor having a source connected to a drain of the second n-channel transistor, and a drain connected to a source of a fourth p-channel transistor, a drain of the fourth p-channel transistor is connected to receive the second reference voltage; wherein the drain of the first n-channel transistor is connected to a gate of the fourth p-channel transistor, and the drain of the second n-channel transistor is connected to a gate of the second p-channel transistor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 8, wherein the antifuse detection circuit further comprises: programming circuitry connected to the first and second antifuses for selectively programming one of the antifuses.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
205 words
A memory device, comprising: an array of memory cells; and an antifuse detection circuit, wherein the antifuse detection circuit comprises: a first antifuse having first and second nodes, the first node connected to receive a first reference voltage, and the second node connected to a source of a first n-channel transistor; a first p-channel transistor having a source connected to a drain of the first n-channel transistor, and a drain connected to a source of a second p-channel transistor, a drain of the second p-channel transistor is connected to receive a second reference voltage; a second antifuse having first and second nodes, the first node connected to receive the first reference voltage, and the second node connected to a source of a second n-channel transistor; and a third p-channel transistor having a source connected to a drain of the second n-channel transistor, and a drain connected to a source of a fourth p-channel transistor, a drain of the fourth p-channel transistor is connected to receive the second reference voltage; wherein the drain of the first n-channel transistor is connected to a gate of the fourth p-channel transistor, and the drain of the second n-channel transistor is connected to a gate of the second p-channel transistor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
205 words
A memory device, comprising: an array of memory cells; and an antifuse detection circuit, wherein the antifuse detection circuit comprises: a first antifuse having first and second nodes, the first node connected to receive a first reference voltage, and the second node connected to a source of a first n-channel transistor; a first p-channel transistor having a source connected to a drain of the first n-channel transistor, and a drain connected to a source of a second p-channel transistor, a drain of the second p-channel transistor is connected to receive a second reference voltage; a second antifuse having first and second nodes, the first node connected to receive the first reference voltage, and the second node connected to a source of a second n-channel transistor; and a third p-channel transistor having a source connected to a drain of the second n-channel transistor, and a drain connected to a source of a fourth p-channel transistor, a drain of the fourth p-channel transistor is connected to receive the second reference voltage; wherein the drain of the first n-channel transistor is connected to a gate of the fourth p-channel transistor, and the drain of the second n-channel transistor is connected to a gate of the second p-channel transistor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The memory device of claim 9, wherein the antifuse detection circuit further comprises: programming circuitry connected to the first and second antifuses for selectively programming one of the antifuses.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
200 words
An antifuse detection circuit, comprising: a first antifuse having a first node and a second node, wherein the first node of the first antifuse is connected to a first reference voltage; a second antifuse having a first node and a second node, wherein the first node of the second antifuse is connected to the first reference voltage; a first transistor having a first source/drain, a second source/drain and a gate, wherein the first source/drain of the first transistor is connected to the second node of the first antifuse, further wherein the second source/drain of the first transistor is connected to a second reference voltage; and a second transistor having a first source/drain, a second source/drain and a gate, wherein the first source/drain of the second transistor is connected to the second node of the second antifuse, further wherein the second source/drain of the second transistor is connected to the second reference voltage; wherein the first source/drain of the first transistor is connected to the gate of the second transistor; wherein the first source/drain of the second transistor is connected to the gate of the first transistor; and wherein the first transistor and the second transistor are of the same type.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
200 words
An antifuse detection circuit, comprising: a first antifuse having a first node and a second node, wherein the first node of the first antifuse is connected to a first reference voltage; a second antifuse having a first node and a second node, wherein the first node of the second antifuse is connected to the first reference voltage; a first transistor having a first source/drain, a second source/drain and a gate, wherein the first source/drain of the first transistor is connected to the second node of the first antifuse, further wherein the second source/drain of the first transistor is connected to a second reference voltage; and a second transistor having a first source/drain, a second source/drain and a gate, wherein the first source/drain of the second transistor is connected to the second node of the second antifuse, further wherein the second source/drain of the second transistor is connected to the second reference voltage; wherein the first source/drain of the first transistor is connected to the gate of the second transistor; wherein the first source/drain of the second transistor is connected to the gate of the first transistor; and wherein the first transistor and the second transistor are of the same type.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
96 words
The antifuse detection circuit of claim 12, further comprising: a third transistor having a first source/drain connected to the second node of the first antifuse, a second source drain connected to the gate of the second transistor, and a gate connected to receive a bias voltage; and a fourth transistor having a first source/drain connected to the second node of the second antifuse, a second source/drain connected to the gate of the first transistor, and a gate connected to receive the bias voltage; wherein the third transistor and the fourth transistor are of the same type.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
97 words
The antifuse detection circuit of claim 12, further comprising: a third transistor having a first source/drain connected to the second node of the first antifuse, a second source/drain connected to the first source/drain of the first transistor, and a gate connected to receive a bias voltage; and a fourth transistor having a first source/drain connected to the second node of the second antifuse, a second source/drain connected to the first source/drain of the second transistor, and a gate connected to receive the bias voltage; wherein the third transistor and the fourth transistor are of the same type.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
360 words
An antifuse detection circuit, comprising: a first antifuse having a first node and a second node, wherein the first node of the first antifuse is connected to a first reference voltage; a second antifuse having a first node and a second node, wherein the first node of the second antifuse is connected to the first reference voltage; a first transistor having a first source/drain, a second source/drain and a gate, wherein the second source/drain of the first transistor is connected to a second reference voltage; and a second transistor having a first source/drain, a second source drain and a gate, wherein the second source/drain of the second transistor is connected to the second reference voltage; a third transistor having a first source/drain, a second source/drain and a gate, wherein the first source/drain is connected to the second node of the first antifuse, the second source/drain is connected to the gate of the second transistor, and the gate is connected to receive a first bias voltage; a fourth transistor having a first source/drain, a second source/drain and a gate, wherein the first source/drain is connected to the second node of the second antifuse, the second source/drain is connected to the gate of the first transistor, and the gate is connected to receive the first bias voltage; a fifth transistor having a first source/drain, a second source/drain and a gate, wherein the first source/drain is connected to the second source/drain of the third transistor, the second source/drain is connected to the first source/drain of the first transistor, and the gate is connected to receive a second bias voltage; and a sixth transistor having a first source/drain, a second source/drain and a gate, wherein the first source/drain is connected to the second source/drain of the fourth transistor, the second source/drain is connected to the first source/drain of the second transistor, and the gate is connected to receive the second bias voltage; wherein the first transistor and the second transistor are of the same type, further wherein the third transistor and the fourth transistor are of the same type, still further wherein the fifth transistor and the sixth transistor are of the same type.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
360 words
An antifuse detection circuit, comprising: a first antifuse having a first node and a second node, wherein the first node of the first antifuse is connected to a first reference voltage; a second antifuse having a first node and a second node, wherein the first node of the second antifuse is connected to the first reference voltage; a first transistor having a first source/drain, a second source/drain and a gate, wherein the second source/drain of the first transistor is connected to a second reference voltage; and a second transistor having a first source/drain, a second source drain and a gate, wherein the second source/drain of the second transistor is connected to the second reference voltage; a third transistor having a first source/drain, a second source/drain and a gate, wherein the first source/drain is connected to the second node of the first antifuse, the second source/drain is connected to the gate of the second transistor, and the gate is connected to receive a first bias voltage; a fourth transistor having a first source/drain, a second source/drain and a gate, wherein the first source/drain is connected to the second node of the second antifuse, the second source/drain is connected to the gate of the first transistor, and the gate is connected to receive the first bias voltage; a fifth transistor having a first source/drain, a second source/drain and a gate, wherein the first source/drain is connected to the second source/drain of the third transistor, the second source/drain is connected to the first source/drain of the first transistor, and the gate is connected to receive a second bias voltage; and a sixth transistor having a first source/drain, a second source/drain and a gate, wherein the first source/drain is connected to the second source/drain of the fourth transistor, the second source/drain is connected to the first source/drain of the second transistor, and the gate is connected to receive the second bias voltage; wherein the first transistor and the second transistor are of the same type, further wherein the third transistor and the fourth transistor are of the same type, still further wherein the fifth transistor and the sixth transistor are of the same type.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
226 words
A system, comprising: a processor; and a memory device, wherein the memory device comprises: an array of memory cells; and an antifuse detection circuit, wherein the antifuse detection circuit comprises: a first antifuse having a first node and a second node, wherein the first node of the first antifuse is connected to a first reference voltage; a second antifuse having a first node and a second node, wherein the first node of the second antifuse is connected to the first reference voltage; a first transistor having a first source/drain, a second source/drain and a gate, wherein the first source drain of the first transistor is connected to the second node of the first antifuse, further wherein the second source/drain of the first transistor is connected to a second reference voltage; and a second transistor having a first source/drain, a second source/drain and a gate, wherein the first source/drain of the second transistor is connected to the second node of the second antifuse, further wherein the second source/drain of the second transistor is connected to the second reference voltage; wherein the first source/drain of the first transistor is connected to the gate of the second transistor; wherein the first source/drain of the second transistor is connected to the gate of the first transistor; and wherein the first transistor and the second transistor are of the same type.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
226 words
A system, comprising: a processor; and a memory device, wherein the memory device comprises: an array of memory cells; and an antifuse detection circuit, wherein the antifuse detection circuit comprises: a first antifuse having a first node and a second node, wherein the first node of the first antifuse is connected to a first reference voltage; a second antifuse having a first node and a second node, wherein the first node of the second antifuse is connected to the first reference voltage; a first transistor having a first source/drain, a second source/drain and a gate, wherein the first source drain of the first transistor is connected to the second node of the first antifuse, further wherein the second source/drain of the first transistor is connected to a second reference voltage; and a second transistor having a first source/drain, a second source/drain and a gate, wherein the first source/drain of the second transistor is connected to the second node of the second antifuse, further wherein the second source/drain of the second transistor is connected to the second reference voltage; wherein the first source/drain of the first transistor is connected to the gate of the second transistor; wherein the first source/drain of the second transistor is connected to the gate of the first transistor; and wherein the first transistor and the second transistor are of the same type.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
215 words
A memory device, comprising: an array of memory cells; and an antifuse detection circuit, wherein the antifuse detection circuit comprises: a first antifuse having a first node and a second node, wherein the first node of the first antifuse is connected to a first reference voltage; a second antifuse having a first node and a second node, wherein the first node of the second antifuse is connected to the first reference voltage; a first transistor having a first source/drain, a second source/drain and a gate, wherein the first source/drain of the first transistor is connected to the second node of the first antifuse, further wherein the second source/drain of the first transistor is connected to a second reference voltage; and a second transistor having a first source/drain, a second source/drain and a gate, wherein the first source/drain of the second transistor is connected to the second node of the second antifuse, further wherein the second source/drain of the second transistor is connected to the second reference voltage; wherein the first source/drain of the first transistor is connected to the gate of the second transistor; wherein the first source/drain of the second transistor is connected to the gate of the first transistor; and wherein the first transistor and the second transistor are of the same type.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
215 words
A memory device, comprising: an array of memory cells; and an antifuse detection circuit, wherein the antifuse detection circuit comprises: a first antifuse having a first node and a second node, wherein the first node of the first antifuse is connected to a first reference voltage; a second antifuse having a first node and a second node, wherein the first node of the second antifuse is connected to the first reference voltage; a first transistor having a first source/drain, a second source/drain and a gate, wherein the first source/drain of the first transistor is connected to the second node of the first antifuse, further wherein the second source/drain of the first transistor is connected to a second reference voltage; and a second transistor having a first source/drain, a second source/drain and a gate, wherein the first source/drain of the second transistor is connected to the second node of the second antifuse, further wherein the second source/drain of the second transistor is connected to the second reference voltage; wherein the first source/drain of the first transistor is connected to the gate of the second transistor; wherein the first source/drain of the second transistor is connected to the gate of the first transistor; and wherein the first transistor and the second transistor are of the same type.
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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) | 2003-07-04 | 2004-01-03 | 2004-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-04 | 2008-01-03 | 2008-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-04 | 2012-01-03 | 2012-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |