Anti-fuse Substrate Dual Power Supply for Simultaneous Programming
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing anti-fuse element-based OTP memory technologies face limitations in simultaneous write operations due to insufficient write power, which restricts the number of anti-fuse elements that can be programmed efficiently during production, leading to inefficiencies in both production and product usage.
Innovation Solution
A substrate design incorporating a plurality of memory units with anti-fuse elements and switching elements, connected via wiring and electrode pads, allowing for increased write power by utilizing both internal and external power supplies to supply the necessary voltage for simultaneous programming of multiple anti-fuse elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the output of the internal power supply is increased to enable simultaneous writing to more anti-fuse elements, then productivity is improved, but energy consumption increases and power supply capacity is wasted during normal product operation
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is designed to dynamically switch between internal and external power sources based on operational requirements. During production, external power supplies provide high current for simultaneous anti-fuse writing. During normal operation, only the internal power supply operates at low power levels, eliminating the waste of having a permanently oversized power supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode pads are designed to accept voltage inputs from multiple sources (internal power supply and external power supplies). This multi-functional design allows the same electrical interface to serve both low-power operational mode and high-power programming mode, resolving the contradiction between productivity and energy efficiency.
2Productivity
If multiple external power supplies are connected to increase write power, then simultaneous write capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into independent units: one internal power supply and multiple external power supplies. Each external power supply connects to a specific electrode pad, allowing incremental scaling of write capacity. This segmentation enables flexible configuration where the number of external power supplies can be adjusted based on production requirements without redesigning the entire power system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the number of anti-fuse elements is increased to store more product-specific information, then adaptability is improved, but the number of simultaneously writable elements is limited by power supply output
Solution Approach 1:
The solution adds a temporal dimension to the writing process by enabling multi-pass programming. While the substrate can accommodate a large total number of anti-fuse elements for high adaptability, the writing operation is divided into multiple sequential passes. External power supplies enable high-speed writing within each pass, and the process repeats across passes to program all elements, thus resolving the contradiction between total storage capacity and simultaneous write capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A substrate includes a plurality of memory units each including an anti-fuse element and a switching element configured to switch application of a predetermined voltage to the anti-fuse element, a wiring to which the plurality of memory units are connected, a first electrode pad to which a voltage for supplying the predetermined voltage to the wiring is applied, and a second electrode pad to which a voltage for supplying the predetermined voltage to the wiring is applied.