Miscellaneous active electrical nonlinear devices – circuits – and – Specific identifiable device – circuit – or system – Fusible link or intentional destruct circuit
Reexamination Certificate
2011-06-07
2011-06-07
Donovan, Lincoln (Department: 2816)
Miscellaneous active electrical nonlinear devices, circuits, and
Specific identifiable device, circuit, or system
Fusible link or intentional destruct circuit
C327S565000, C326S047000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07956671
ABSTRACT:
In one embodiment of an e-fuse programming/re-programming circuit, the e-fuse has two short high atomic diffusion resistance conductor layers positioned on opposite sides and at a same end of a long low atomic diffusion resistance conductor layer. A voltage source is used to vary the polarity and, optionally, the magnitude of voltage applied to the terminals in order to control bi-directional flow of electrons within the long conductor layer and, thereby formation of opens and/or shorts at the long conductor layer-short conductor layer interfaces. The formation of such opens and/or shorts can be used to achieve different programming states. Other circuit structure embodiments incorporate e-fuses with additional conductor layers and additional terminals so as to allow for even more programming states. Also disclosed are embodiments of associated e-fuse programming and re-programming methods.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5412593 (1995-05-01), Magel et al.
patent: 5937515 (1999-08-01), Johnson
patent: 5966339 (1999-10-01), Hsu et al.
patent: 6100746 (2000-08-01), Wu
patent: 6285238 (2001-09-01), Wu
patent: 6609070 (2003-08-01), Lueck
patent: 7298639 (2007-11-01), Hsu et al.
patent: 7388273 (2008-06-01), Burr et al.
patent: 7394089 (2008-07-01), Doyle et al.
patent: 7459763 (2008-12-01), Issaq et al.
patent: 2006/0249808 (2006-11-01), Hsu et al.
patent: 2007/0262413 (2007-11-01), Booth, Jr. et al.
patent: 2008/0197339 (2008-08-01), Regan et al.
patent: 2008/0217733 (2008-09-01), Iyer et al.
patent: 2009/0045484 (2009-02-01), Chanda et al.
PCT/US2010038934, International Search Report and Written Opinion, Jan. 18, 2011, 9 pages.
Abou-Khalil Michel J.
Gauthier Jr. Robert J.
Lee Tom C.
Li Junjun
Mitra Souvick
Donovan Lincoln
Englund Terry L
Gibb I.P. Law Firm LLC
International Business Machines - Corporation
LeStrange, Esq. Michael J.
LandOfFree
Circuit structure and method for programming and... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Circuit structure and method for programming and..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Circuit structure and method for programming and... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2683093