Fuse Read Circuit Intermediate Voltage Precharging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor devices with fuse arrays face challenges in accurately reading the programmed states of fuse cells due to the ambiguity in resistance levels between clearly blown, unblown, and weakly blown states, leading to erroneous fuse-read outputs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a fuse read circuit that precharges fuse read nodes to an intermediate voltage level, using an intermediate precharging device such as an inverter, allows for more precise determination of fuse states by adjusting the fuse read-level during a shorter duration, reducing processing time and errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fuse read circuit precharges fuse read nodes to input source level using a precharging transistor, then the fuse reading operation can be performed, but the processing time is long and measurement precision is reduced due to ambiguous resistance levels in weakly blown fuse states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the precharging voltage parameter from the full input source level to an intermediate voltage level that is lower than the input source level but higher than ground. This parameter change allows the fuse read node to be precharged to a level that provides sufficient voltage headroom for accurate resistance measurement while reducing the charging time constant, thereby simultaneously improving measurement precision and reducing processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic precharging mechanism where the precharging transistor progressively charges the fuse read node to the intermediate voltage level during a controlled time period. This dynamic charging process allows the system to optimize the balance between achieving accurate voltage levels for measurement and minimizing the total processing time, rather than using a static full-charging approach.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple fuse arrays are implemented throughout the device, then more information can be stored, but device complexity increases and more read circuits are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the read circuit universal by enabling it to accurately measure the resistance of fuse cells regardless of their position in the fuse array. The intermediate precharging level provides sufficient voltage headroom to accurately distinguish between different fuse states (unblown, weakly blown, and blown) across all fuse cells, allowing a single read circuit to serve multiple fuse arrays without requiring separate dedicated read circuits for each array.
3Productivity
If fuse read nodes are precharged to input source level quickly, then processing time is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to insufficient voltage stabilization and increased impact of parasitic capacitance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the precharging voltage parameter to an intermediate level that balances charging speed and measurement accuracy. This intermediate level is high enough to provide sufficient voltage headroom for accurate resistance measurement and to overcome parasitic capacitance effects, while being low enough to reduce the charging time constant and improve productivity.
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
This approach enhances the accuracy and speed of fuse state reading, decreases processing time, and minimizes the impact of parasitic capacitance, enabling larger fuse arrays to share read circuits and reducing the need for additional arrays, while maintaining high accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
using an intermediate precharging device such as an inverter
Implementation Method 2
the fuse cell can provide an electrical path (e.g., for dissipating the charge or to a lower potential node) to pull the fuse read-level below the input source voltage
Implementation Method 3
the precharging transistor can connect the input source to the fuse read node based on the precharging signal
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating an electronic device includes: precharging a fuse read node to an intermediate voltage less than an input voltage, wherein the fuse read node connects a fuse array and a fuse read circuit, the fuse array including a fuse cell configured to store information and the fuse read circuit configured to read the stored information; connecting the fuse cell to the fuse read node for reading the information; and determining, with the fuse read circuit, the information from the fuse cell based on changes to the intermediate voltage at the fuse read node.