Patent US6087889A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6087889A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fuse circuit for a semiconductor device
Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
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Filing: 1996-10-15
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Granted: 2000-07-11
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Expires: 2016-10-15
Abstract
Abstract A fuse circuit for a semiconductor device allows the device to be adjusted after fabrication by selectively blowing a fuse in response to a fuse control signal. The circuit is fabricated on the semiconductor device and includes a fuse, an enable circuit for blowing the fuse in response to the fuse control signal, and a sensing circuit for sensing the state of the fuse. A comparison signal generator can be coupled to the fuse to generate two comparison signals that are compared by a differential comparator which generates an output signal indicative of the state of the fuse. The comparison signal generator is coupled to the fuse and includes a resistive voltage divider which generates the comparison signals by dividing a power supply voltage signal. If the fuse is blown, the first comparison signal is at a higher voltage level than the second comparison signal, and a comparator in the sensing circuit generates an output signal having a low logic level to indicate that the fuse is blown. If the fuse is not blown, the first comparison signal is at a lower voltage level than the second comparison signal, and the comparator generates an output signal having a high logic level to indicate that the fuse is not blown. A detector circuit which includes a voltage sensing resistor can be coupled between the comparison signal generator and the fuse to allow the circuit to detect a blown fuse which is not completely blown, but has a high enough resistance to be considered blown.
Inventors
- 👤 Do-Sang Mok
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:15
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05F; G05F1/00; G05F1/10; G05F1/46; H; H10; H10D; H10D84/00; H10D84/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A semiconductor device comprising: a fuse; an enabling circuit coupled to the fuse, the enabling circuit blowing the fuse responsive to a fuse control signal; a sensing circuit coupled to the fuse, the sensing circuit generating an output signal responsive to the state of the fuse; and a comparison signal generator coupled to the fuse and the sensing circuit, the comparison signal generator generating a comparison signal responsive to the state of the fuse, and wherein the sensing circuit generates the output signal responsive to the comparison signal; wherein: the comparison signal generator includes a voltage divider coupled to the fuse, the voltage divider dividing a power supply signal into a first comparison signal and a second comparison signal; and the sensing circuit includes a comparator coupled to the voltage divider.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A semiconductor device comprising: a fuse; an enabling circuit coupled to the fuse, the enabling circuit blowing the fuse responsive to a fuse control signal; a sensing circuit coupled to the fuse, the sensing circuit generating an output signal responsive to the state of the fuse; and a comparison signal generator coupled to the fuse and the sensing circuit, the comparison signal generator generating a comparison signal responsive to the state of the fuse, and wherein the sensing circuit generates the output signal responsive to the comparison signal; wherein: the comparison signal generator includes a voltage divider coupled to the fuse, the voltage divider dividing a power supply signal into a first comparison signal and a second comparison signal; and the sensing circuit includes a comparator coupled to the voltage divider.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A semiconductor device according to claim 1 further including a detector circuit coupled between the fuse and the comparison signal generator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A semiconductor device according to claim 1 wherein the sensing circuit generates the output signal responsive to a bias signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A semiconductor device according to claim 1 wherein the comparison signal generator generates the comparison signal responsive to a bias signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
A semiconductor device according to claim 1 wherein: the fuse is coupled between a mode setting terminal and a first node; the voltage divider includes a first resistor coupled between the first node and a second node, and a second resistor coupled between the second node and a power supply terminal; and the comparator includes a first input terminal coupled to the first node, a second input terminal coupled to the second node, and an output terminal for generating the output signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A semiconductor device according to claim 5 wherein the voltage divider further includes a switch coupled between the first node and a second power supply terminal to energize the voltage divider responsive to a bias signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A semiconductor device according to claim 1 further including a detector circuit coupled between the fuse and the comparison signal generator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
99 words
A semiconductor device according to claim 7 wherein: the fuse is coupled between a mode setting terminal and a first node; the voltage divider includes a first resistor coupled between a second node and a third node, and a second resistor coupled between the third node and a first power supply terminal; the detector circuit includes a third resistor coupled between the first node and the second node; and the comparator includes a first input terminal coupled to the first node, a second input terminal coupled to the third node, and an output terminal for generating the output signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A semiconductor device according to claim 8 wherein the voltage divider further includes a switch coupled between the second node and a second power supply terminal to energize the voltage divider responsive to a bias signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A semiconductor device according to claim 1 wherein the enabling circuit includes a semiconductor switch coupled to the fuse to blow the fuse responsive to the fuse control signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A semiconductor device according to claim 1 wherein the fuse includes a zener zap diode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
94 words
A semiconductor device comprising: a fuse; means for blowing the fuse responsive to a fuse control signal; means for generating an output signal responsive to the state of the fuse; and means for generating a comparison signal responsive to the state of the fuse; wherein: the means for generating a comparison signal includes a voltage divider coupled to the fuse, the voltage divider dividing a power supply signal into a first comparison signal and a second comparison signal; and the means for generating an output signal includes a comparator coupled to the voltage divider.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
94 words
A semiconductor device comprising: a fuse; means for blowing the fuse responsive to a fuse control signal; means for generating an output signal responsive to the state of the fuse; and means for generating a comparison signal responsive to the state of the fuse; wherein: the means for generating a comparison signal includes a voltage divider coupled to the fuse, the voltage divider dividing a power supply signal into a first comparison signal and a second comparison signal; and the means for generating an output signal includes a comparator coupled to the voltage divider.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A semiconductor memory device according to claim 12 further including means for detecting the state of the fuse.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A semiconductor memory device according to claim 12 further including means for placing the fuse in either a normal mode or a fuse blowing mode.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of adjusting a semiconductor device after fabrication comprising: generating a fuse control signal; blowing a fuse responsive to the fuse control signal if the fuse control signal is asserted; and generating an output signal responsive to the state of the fuse; wherein generating the output signal includes: sensing the resistance of the fuse; and asserting the output signal if the resistance of the fuse exceeds a predetermined value; and wherein sensing the resistance of the fuse includes: dividing a power supply signal responsive to the state of the fuse, thereby generating two comparison signals; and comparing the two comparison signals.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of adjusting a semiconductor device after fabrication comprising: generating a fuse control signal; blowing a fuse responsive to the fuse control signal if the fuse control signal is asserted; and generating an output signal responsive to the state of the fuse; wherein generating the output signal includes: sensing the resistance of the fuse; and asserting the output signal if the resistance of the fuse exceeds a predetermined value; and wherein sensing the resistance of the fuse includes: dividing a power supply signal responsive to the state of the fuse, thereby generating two comparison signals; and comparing the two comparison signals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
A semiconductor device according to claim 2 wherein the detector circuit includes a resistor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
A semiconductor device according to claim 7 wherein the detector circuit includes a resistor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
A semiconductor device according to claim 13 wherein the means for detecting the state of the fuse includes a resistor.
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) | 2003-07-11 | 2004-01-10 | 2004-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-11 | 2008-01-10 | 2008-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-11 | 2012-01-10 | 2012-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |