Virtual Electronic Fuse Reconfiguration via Address Pool
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic fuse systems lack a mechanism to update or change digital information stored in nonvolatile electronic fuse banks, leading to scrap devices when engineering changes require different configuration information after manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for a virtual electronic fuse system that allows state changes from un-blown to blown and vice versa by using a plurality of real electronic fuses, a fuse programmer, and a detector configured to receive odd or even input signals, enabling multiple state transitions through a shared address pool and decoders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional nonvolatile electronic fuse banks are used to store final configuration information, then the storage is permanent and reliable, but the digital information cannot be updated or changed after manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the electronic fuse bank to transition between static states. The system allows fuses to be selectively blown and unblown multiple times through a programming mechanism that can change the resistance state of individual fuses based on control signals, transforming the traditionally static fuse bank into a dynamic, reconfigurable storage medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the resistance parameter of electronic fuses to enable reconfigurability. By controlling the resistance of each fuse between a low resistance state (unblown) and a high resistance state (blown) through programmed current application, the system can update digital information in the fuse bank after manufacturing, resolving the contradiction between permanent storage and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If engineering changes require different configuration information after manufacturing, then product customization is needed, but devices with original configuration become scrap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables recovery of devices that would otherwise be discarded due to engineering changes. By providing a programming mechanism that can update configuration information in the electronic fuse bank after manufacturing, the system allows devices to be reconfigured for new purposes rather than being scrapped, thereby reducing device waste and improving resource utilization.
3Ease of manufacture
If a programming mechanism passes high current through polysilicon electronic fuses to change resistance, then digital information is stored, but the process is irreversible in conventional systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the fuse programming process dynamic by enabling multiple programming cycles. The programming mechanism can selectively apply high current to blow fuses or apply controlled current to unblow fuses, allowing the digital information in the fuse bank to be updated repeatedly rather than being set once during manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes resistance parameter changes in polysilicon electronic fuses to enable reprogrammability. By controlling the resistance state of fuses through programmed current application and removal, the system can reversibly change the digital information stored in the fuse bank, transforming the irreversible conventional programming process into a reversible, adaptable operation.
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 the changeable storage of digital information in electronic devices, allowing for updates and customization without designating devices as scrap, by effectively toggling between virtual un-blown and blown states multiple times.
Implementation Method 1
indicating, via a detector coupled to the second fuse, one of the blown state and the un-blown state if the detector receives an odd number of input signals exhibiting a first logic state, and indicating, via the detector, the other of the blown state and the un-blown state if the detector receives an even number of logic signals exhibiting the first logic state
Implementation Method 2
A programming mechanism passes a high current through a polysilicon electronic fuse to permanently change the resistance of the fuse from a low resistance of approximately 100 ohms (the un-blown state) to a high resistance of approximately 5K ohms (the blown state)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A virtual electronic fuse (VEF) apparatus and methodology are disclosed that permit the state of an electronic fuse to change from an un-blown state to a blown state and then back to a virtual un-blown state, hence to be reversible. In one embodiment, the electronic fuse may change from the virtual un-blown state back again to a virtual blown state. The fuse apparatus includes multiple VEFs, each VEF exhibiting a respective address. The fuse apparatus also includes an address pool including multiple address pool locations. A fuse programmer stores an address ofone of the VEFs in one or more address pool locations to indicate one or more state changes for a particular VEF. The fuse programmer may also store different VEF addresses in different address pool locations to indicate state changes for different VEFs.