Fuse Circuit Driving Method for Crack Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
As semiconductor devices are miniaturized, the proximity of fuses leads to issues such as crack damage during the cutting process, causing unintended fuses to be detected as cut, resulting in malfunction and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
A fuse circuit that controls the driving current through a current path to detect cracks in fuses by adjusting the current strength during a test mode, allowing for accurate identification and correction of faulty fuses, thereby ensuring stable operation and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If fuses are placed in close proximity to each other in miniaturized semiconductor devices, then device integration is improved, but crack damage during cutting process occurs causing unintended fuses to be detected as cut
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring fuses with different resistance values based on their individual characteristics and positions. Each fuse is assigned a specific resistance value that serves as a unique identifier, allowing the system to distinguish between adjacent fuses even when they are in close proximity. This local differentiation prevents crack damage from causing unintended fuse detection errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the resistance parameter of each fuse to create distinguishable characteristics. By controlling and assigning specific resistance values to different fuses, the system can identify and differentiate between adjacent fuses during testing and operation, thereby resolving the reliability issue caused by miniaturization and close fuse placement.
2Device complexity
If conventional fuse circuits are used without resistance value control, then circuit simplicity is maintained, but adjacent fuses cannot be distinguished causing malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by assigning unique resistance values to each fuse based on its position and characteristics. This creates locally differentiated properties that enable precise identification of individual fuses and their states, allowing accurate detection even in simple circuit configurations without requiring complex additional structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical or structural differentiation methods with electrical resistance value differentiation. Instead of using physically distinct features to identify fuses, the system uses controlled resistance values as electrical signatures, enabling precise fuse state detection through electrical measurement rather than mechanical distinction.
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
The solution enables the detection and correction of cracked fuses, preventing malfunctions and ensuring the reliability of the semiconductor device by accurately identifying and addressing faulty fuses, even after shipment.
Implementation Method 1
A fuse circuit and driving method thereof are provided. A fuse circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a fuse unit configured to form a current path at a first node according to whether or not a fuse is cut; a driving current controller configured to control a potential level of the first node in response to a test signal; and an output unit configured to output a fuse state signal in response to the potential level of the first node.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuse circuit includes a fuse unit configured to form a current path on a first node according to whether or not a fuse is cut; a driving current controller configured to control a potential level of the first node in response to a test signal; and an output unit configured to output a fuse state signal in response to the potential level of the first node.