US6201432B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrated circuit devices using fuse elements to generate an output signal that is independent of cut fuse remnants
Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
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Filing: 1999-05-20
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Granted: 2001-03-13
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Expires: 2019-05-20
Abstract
Abstract Integrated circuit devices include a comparator circuit and a fuse programmable input circuit. The fuse programmable input circuit generates first and second differential input signals at voltage levels that can be controlled through a pair of fuses. The comparator circuit generates an output signal based on the relative voltage levels exhibited by the first and second differential input signals. In particular, the output signal is driven to a first logic state when the voltage difference between the first and second differential input signals is positive and the output signal is driven to a second logic state, which is opposite the first logic state, when the voltage difference is negative. Because the comparator is responsive to the relative difference between the voltage levels of the first and second differential input signals and not the absolute magnitudes of the voltage levels, fuse remnants that may exist after the fuse programmable input circuit has been programmed (i.e., one or more fuses have been cut) typically do not affect the output signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Ki-won Lim
- 👤 Eui-gyu Han
- 👤 Jeong-Un Choi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 05:45
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C29/00; G11C17/00; G11C17/14; G11C17/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
An integrated circuit device, comprising: a fuse programmable input circuit that generates first and second differential input signals at voltage levels that are controlled by states of first and second fuses therein, the fuse programmable input circuit comprising: a first voltage divider circuit that comprises the first fuse and generates the first differential input signal: a second voltage divider circuit that comprises the second fuse and generates the second differential input signal; and a comparator circuit that is responsive to the first and second differential input signals and generates an output signal in a first logic state when a voltage difference between the first and second differential input signals is positive and in a second logic state, opposite the first logic state, when the voltage difference is negative.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
An integrated circuit device, comprising: a fuse programmable input circuit that generates first and second differential input signals at voltage levels that are controlled by states of first and second fuses therein, the fuse programmable input circuit comprising: a first voltage divider circuit that comprises the first fuse and generates the first differential input signal: a second voltage divider circuit that comprises the second fuse and generates the second differential input signal; and a comparator circuit that is responsive to the first and second differential input signals and generates an output signal in a first logic state when a voltage difference between the first and second differential input signals is positive and in a second logic state, opposite the first logic state, when the voltage difference is negative.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
An integrated circuit device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the voltage level of the first differential input signal is greater than the voltage level of the second differential input signal when the first and second fuses are intact and the voltage level of the first differential input signal is less than the voltage level of the second differential input signal when the first and second fuses are cut.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
An integrated circuit device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first voltage divider circuit comprises: a first resistor connected to a power supply through a series connection with the first fuse; and a second resistor connected in series with the first resistor at a first junction that generates the first differential input signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
An integrated circuit device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second voltage divider circuit comprises: a first resistor and a second resistor connected in series at a first junction that generates the second differential input signal between a power supply and the second fuse.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An integrated circuit device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first and second fuses are laser fuses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
An integrated circuit device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the comparator circuit comprises a differential amplifier circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An integrated circuit device as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a buffer circuit that amplifies the output signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
An integrated circuit device as recited in claim 7 , wherein the buffer circuit comprises a pair of inverter circuits connected in series.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
131 words
An integrated circuit decoding device, comprising: a selection circuit that generates a control signal, the selection circuit comprising: a fuse programmable input circuit that generates first and second differential input signals at voltage levels that are controlled by states of first and second fuses therein; a comparator circuit that is responsive to the first and second differential input signals and generates the control signal in a first logic state when a voltage difference between the first and second differential input signals is positive and in a second logic state, opposite the first logic state when the voltage difference is negative; and a redundant address generator, responsive to the control signal, that includes a plurality of fuses that can be selectively cut to prevent signals carried therethrough from reaching an output terminal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
131 words
An integrated circuit decoding device, comprising: a selection circuit that generates a control signal, the selection circuit comprising: a fuse programmable input circuit that generates first and second differential input signals at voltage levels that are controlled by states of first and second fuses therein; a comparator circuit that is responsive to the first and second differential input signals and generates the control signal in a first logic state when a voltage difference between the first and second differential input signals is positive and in a second logic state, opposite the first logic state when the voltage difference is negative; and a redundant address generator, responsive to the control signal, that includes a plurality of fuses that can be selectively cut to prevent signals carried therethrough from reaching an output terminal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
An integrated circuit decoding device as recited in claim 9 , further comprising a current driving circuit electrically connecting the selection circuit to the output terminal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
An integrated circuit decoding device as recited in claim 9 , wherein the fuse programmable input circuit comprises: a first voltage divider circuit that comprises the first fuse and generates the first differential input signal; and a second voltage divider circuit that comprises the second fuse and generates the second differential input signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
69 words
An integrated circuit device as recited in claim 11 , wherein the voltage level of first differential input signal is greater than the voltage level of the second differential input signal when the first and second fuses are intact and the voltage level of the first differential input signal is less than the voltage level of the second differential input signal when the first and second fuses are cut.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
An integrated circuit decoding device as recited in claim 11 , wherein the first voltage divider circuit comprises: a first resistor connected to a power supply through a series connection with the first fuse; and a second resistor connected in series with the first resistor at a first junction that generates the first differential input signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
An integrated circuit decoding device as recited in claim 11 , wherein the second voltage divider circuit comprises: a first resistor and a second resistor connected in series at a first junction that generates the second differential input signal between a power supply and the second fuse.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
An integrated circuit decoding device as recited in claim 9 , wherein the first and second fuses are laser fuses.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
An integrated circuit decoding device as recited in claim 9 , wherein the comparator circuit comprises a differential amplifier circuit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
An integrated circuit decoding device as recited in claim 9 , further comprising a buffer circuit that amplifies the control signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
An integrated circuit decoding device as recited in claim 17 , wherein the buffer circuit comprises a pair of inverter circuits connected in series.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
118 words
An integrated circuit device, comprising: a fuse programmable input circuit that generates first and second differential input signals at voltage levels that are controlled by states of first and second fuses therein, the states comprising an intact state in which the first and second fuses are both intact and a cut state in which the first and second fuses are both cut; and a comparator circuit that is responsive to the first and second differential input signals and generates an output signal in a first logic state when a voltage difference between the first and second differential input signals is positive and in a second logic state, opposite the first logic state, when the voltage difference is negative.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
118 words
An integrated circuit device, comprising: a fuse programmable input circuit that generates first and second differential input signals at voltage levels that are controlled by states of first and second fuses therein, the states comprising an intact state in which the first and second fuses are both intact and a cut state in which the first and second fuses are both cut; and a comparator circuit that is responsive to the first and second differential input signals and generates an output signal in a first logic state when a voltage difference between the first and second differential input signals is positive and in a second logic state, opposite the first logic state, when the voltage difference is negative.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
52 words
An integrated circuit device as recited in claim 19 , wherein the fuse programmable input circuit comprises: a first voltage divider circuit that comprises the first fuse and generates the first differential input signal; and a second voltage divider circuit that comprises the second fuse and generates the second differential input signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
70 words
An integrated circuit device as recited in claim 20 , wherein the voltage level of the first differential input signal is greater than the voltage level of the second differential input signal when the first and second fuses are intact and the voltage level of the first differential input signal is less than the voltage level of the second differential input signal when the first and second fuses are cut.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
55 words
An integrated circuit device as recited in claim 20 , wherein the first voltage divider circuit comprises: a first resistor connected to a power supply through a series connection with the first fuse; and a second resistor connected in series with the first resistor at a first junction that generates the first differential input signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
46 words
An integrated circuit device as recited in claim 20 , wherein the second voltage divider circuit comprises: a first resistor and a second resistor connected in series at a first junction that generates the second differential input signal between a power supply and the second fuse.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
An integrated circuit device as recited in claim 19 , wherein the first and second fuses are laser fuses.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
An integrated circuit device as recited in claim 19 , wherein the comparator circuit comprises a differential amplifier circuit.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
An integrated circuit device as recited in claim 19 , further comprising a buffer circuit that amplifies the output signal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
An integrated circuit device as recited in claim 26 , wherein the buffer circuit comprises a pair of inverter circuits connected in series.
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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) | 2004-03-12 | 2004-09-11 | 2005-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-03-12 | 2008-09-11 | 2009-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-03-12 | 2012-09-11 | 2013-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |