Patent US6426668B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6426668B1
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US
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Imbalanced sense amplifier fuse detection circuit
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 2001-03-22
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Granted: 2002-07-30
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Expires: 2021-03-22
Abstract
Abstract A method and structure to provide a circuit adapted to sense the status of a fuse includes an imbalanced sense amplifier latch which includes first and second nodes connected to the fuse. The first node is connected to a fuse and is weaker than the second node, allowing the first node to sense a different voltage level. The voltage difference between the nodes indicates the conductive status of the fuse.
Inventors
- 👤 J. R. Morrish
- 👤 John T. Phan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:53
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C17/00; G11C17/14; G11C17/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A circuit adapted to sense a status of a fuse comprising: an imbalanced sense amplifier latch operatively connected to said fuse, said imbalanced sense amplifier latch including a first portion and a second portion, and a first transistor between said fuse and said imbalanced sense amplifier latch and a second transistor between said imbalanced sense amplifier and ground, wherein said first portion is operatively connected to said fuse and is weaker than said second portion such that said first portion senses a different voltage level than said second portion, and wherein a delay between activation of said first transistor and said second transistor controls a sensing resistance threshold of said circuit; and further wherein a voltage difference between said first portion and said second portion indicates a conductive status of said fuse.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A circuit adapted to sense a status of a fuse comprising: an imbalanced sense amplifier latch operatively connected to said fuse, said imbalanced sense amplifier latch including a first portion and a second portion, and a first transistor between said fuse and said imbalanced sense amplifier latch and a second transistor between said imbalanced sense amplifier and ground, wherein said first portion is operatively connected to said fuse and is weaker than said second portion such that said first portion senses a different voltage level than said second portion, and wherein a delay between activation of said first transistor and said second transistor controls a sensing resistance threshold of said circuit; and further wherein a voltage difference between said first portion and said second portion indicates a conductive status of said fuse.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The circuit in claim 1 , wherein said first portion includes first devices having first gate sizes smaller than that of second devices in said second portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The circuit in claim 1 , further comprising precharge devices connected to said imbalanced sense amplifier latch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The circuit in claim 1 , wherein a different amount of current flows through said first portion than said second portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The circuit in claim 1 , wherein said fuse has an open circuit in a blown state.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The circuit in claim 1 , wherein said fuse has a short circuit in a blown state.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
108 words
A circuit adapted to sense a status of a fuse comprising: all imbalanced sense amplifier latch operatively connected to said fuse, said imbalanced sense amplifier latch including a first portion and a second portion, and a first transistor between said fuse and said imbalanced sense amplifier latch and a second transistor between said imbalanced sense amplifier and ground, wherein a delay between activation of said first transistor and said second transistor controls a sensing resistance threshold of said circuit; and further wherein a voltage difference between said first portion and said second portion is latched by said imbalanced sense amplifier and indicates a conductive status of said fuse.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
108 words
A circuit adapted to sense a status of a fuse comprising: all imbalanced sense amplifier latch operatively connected to said fuse, said imbalanced sense amplifier latch including a first portion and a second portion, and a first transistor between said fuse and said imbalanced sense amplifier latch and a second transistor between said imbalanced sense amplifier and ground, wherein a delay between activation of said first transistor and said second transistor controls a sensing resistance threshold of said circuit; and further wherein a voltage difference between said first portion and said second portion is latched by said imbalanced sense amplifier and indicates a conductive status of said fuse.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The circuit in claim 7 , wherein said first portion is operatively connected to said fuse and is weaker than said second portion such that said first portion senses a lower voltage that said second portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The circuit in claim 7 , wherein said first portion includes first devices having first gate sizes smaller than that of second devices in said second portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The circuit in claim 7 , further comprising precharge devices connected to said imbalanced sense amplifier latch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The circuit in claim 7 , wherein a different amount of current flows through said first portion than said second portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
100 words
A circuit adapted to sense a status of a fuse comprising: an imbalanced sense amplifier latch operatively connected to said fuse, said imbalanced sense amplifier latch including a first portion and a second portion, and a first transistor between said fuse and said imbalanced sense amplifier latch and a second transistor between said imbalanced sense amplifier and ground, wherein a delay between activation of said first transistor and said second transistor controls a sensing resistance threshold of said circuit; and further wherein a voltage difference between said first portion and said second portion indicates a conductive status of said fuse.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
100 words
A circuit adapted to sense a status of a fuse comprising: an imbalanced sense amplifier latch operatively connected to said fuse, said imbalanced sense amplifier latch including a first portion and a second portion, and a first transistor between said fuse and said imbalanced sense amplifier latch and a second transistor between said imbalanced sense amplifier and ground, wherein a delay between activation of said first transistor and said second transistor controls a sensing resistance threshold of said circuit; and further wherein a voltage difference between said first portion and said second portion indicates a conductive status of said fuse.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The circuit in claim 12 , further comprising a voltage source operatively connected to said fuse and said imbalanced sense amplifier.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The circuit in claim 12 , wherein said first portion is operatively connected to said fuse and is weaker than said second portion such that said first portion senses a lower voltage that said second portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The circuit in claim 12 , wherein said first portion includes first devices having first gate sizes smaller than that of second devices in said second portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The circuit in claim 12 , further comprising precharge devices connected to said imbalanced sense amplifier latch.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The circuit in claim 12 , wherein a different amount of current flows through said first portion than said second portion.
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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) | 2005-07-29 | 2006-01-28 | 2006-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-29 | 2010-01-28 | 2010-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-29 | 2014-01-28 | 2014-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |