Fuse element for a semiconductor memory device

Details Fuse element for a semiconductor memory device Fuse element for a semiconductor memory device

1995-05-05

1998-01-27

Callahan, Timothy P.

Miscellaneous active electrical nonlinear devices, circuits, and

Specific identifiable device, circuit, or system

Fusible link or intentional destruct circuit

327526, 365 96, H03K 1712

Patent

active

057125880

ABSTRACT:
An electrically programmable fuse element includes a fuse having a first end coupled to a data output node selectively coupled, e.g., via a PMOS pull-up transistor, to a power source voltage, e.g., Vcc or Vpp, and a second end, a bipolar transistor connected between the second end of the fuse and a reference potential (e.g., Vss), a first MOS transistor having a channel connected between the base of the bipolar transistor and the reference potential, and a gate electrode coupled to a fuse program control signal, a second MOS transistor having a channel connected between the second end of the fuse and the reference potential, and a gate electrode coupled to a read-out control signal. In a fuse program mode of operation, the second MOS transistor is turned off, and the first MOS transistor is turned on in response to the fuse program control signal, whereby a base current is caused to flow through the first MOS transistor and a fuse program current is caused to flow through the fuse, said first current being equal to the base current multiplied by an amplification ratio (e.g., 10 or greater) of the bipolar transistor and being sufficient to open said fuse. In a read-out mode of operation, the first MOS transistor and the bipolar transistor are turned off, and the second MOS transistor is turned on in response to the read-out control signal, whereby a second current is caused to flow through the fuse, the second current being less than the first current and insufficient to open the fuse.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4605872 (1986-08-01), Rung
patent: 4947060 (1990-08-01), Hoberman et al.
patent: 5045726 (1991-09-01), Leung

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