International Business Machines Corporation

Motorola Corporation

Toan V Le

Scott A Taylor

A fuse circuit (30) uses circuitry (34, 36, 38) which is coupled between each terminal (A, B) of a fuse (32) for the purpose of maintaining each fuse terminal at the same voltage potential or within a predetermined voltage differential. When copper fuses are implemented, the fuse circuit eliminates the tendency for copper corrosion which may result in growth-back of the copper between the two fuse terminals (A, B). By fixing the voltage at each fuse terminal at a specific potential relative to the other terminal, effects of metal growth-back are eliminated. In another form, a bias scheme is used to place a fixed voltage between the fuse terminals to guarantee a minimum voltage differential across the fuse terminals after the fuse is blown. A differential in the voltage at the fuse terminals is sensed in order to indicate the status of the fuse's conductivity.

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Toan V Le