Electronic Fuse Control Circuit for Antifuse State Read Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
The variability in resistance values of antifuses during manufacturing makes it challenging to accurately identify their programmed state using a reference resistor, leading to increased costs and reduced manufacturing efficiency due to the need for additional processes to replace the reference resistor.
Innovation Solution
An electronic fuse control circuit with a program voltage pad, a fuse element, a latch, an operation switch unit, and a plurality of bonding option units with resistors and selection switches, allowing for the selection of a proper bonding option unit based on resistance during wafer probing and subsequent connection to a substrate during packaging, ensuring accurate read operations without requiring additional manufacturing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a reference resistor is used to identify the programmed state of antifuses, then the read operation can be performed, but the variability in antifuse resistance values causes incorrect identification and requires additional manufacturing processes to replace the reference resistor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the reference resistor selectable through multiple bonding option units with different resistance values. Instead of using a fixed reference resistor, the system dynamically selects the appropriate reference resistor value based on the actual antifuse resistance characteristics, allowing adaptation to manufacturing variations without requiring physical replacement processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by providing multiple bonding option units with different resistance values. The reference resistor value is changed based on the measured antifuse resistance, enabling accurate identification across different manufacturing batches and process variations. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between measurement accuracy and manufacturing simplicity.
2Device complexity
If a fixed reference resistor value is used for all antifuses, then the device complexity is reduced, but the resistance variability causes incorrect state identification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the reference resistor function into multiple bonding option units, each with a different resistance value. This segmentation allows the system to select the most appropriate reference resistor for each specific antifuse, improving identification accuracy while keeping each individual bonding option unit relatively simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing multiple bonding option units that can serve different antifuse resistance characteristics. Each bonding option unit is universally applicable but optimized for specific resistance ranges, allowing a single circuit design to handle various manufacturing variations without requiring completely different circuit configurations.
3Measurement precision
If additional manufacturing processes are implemented to replace the reference resistor, then the identification accuracy is improved, but the manufacturing efficiency is reduced and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple bonding option units with different reference resistor values during the initial manufacturing process. This allows the appropriate reference resistor to be selected and connected without requiring additional replacement processes later, thereby maintaining high manufacturing efficiency while achieving accurate identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to automatically select the appropriate bonding option unit based on the antifuse resistance characteristics. This self-selection capability eliminates the need for manual or automated replacement processes, maintaining high manufacturing productivity while ensuring accurate state identification.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate identification of the programmed state of antifuses by selecting the appropriate bonding option unit with suitable resistance, eliminating the need for additional manufacturing steps to change reference resistors and ensuring reliable read operations.
Implementation Method 1
when a program voltage VH is applied to the gate G1 and a ground voltage is applied to the active region A1, a resulting high voltage applied to the antifuse AF1 breaks down the gate oxide of the gate G1, thereby generating a low resistance path between the gate G1 and the active region A1
Implementation Method 2
Each of the plurality of bonding option units includes a resistor and a selection switch coupled in series between the input terminal of the latch and a corresponding resistor selection pad of the plurality of resistor selection pads
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses an electronic fuse control circuit, a semiconductor device and a method for forming a semiconductor device including an electronic fuse control circuit. The electronic fuse control circuit includes a program voltage pad, a fuse element, a latch, an operation switch unit, resistor selection pads, and bonding option units. The fuse element includes a first terminal coupled to the program voltage pad, and a second terminal. The operation switch unit forms an electrical connection between the second terminal of the fuse element and a ground terminal during a program operation, and forms an electrical connection between the second terminal of the fuse element and an input terminal of the latch during a read operation. Each of the bonding option units includes a resistor and a selection switch coupled in series between the input terminal of the latch and a resistor selection pad.