The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 07, 1992
Filed:
Aug. 21, 1990
Ronald W Russell, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Craig N Lambert, San Jose, CA (US);
National Semiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
A post-assembly trim of a monolithic IC is set forth wherein selected package pins can be employed to address the on-chip trim circuit. Then, after the trim is completed, the circuit is addressed to provide a disconnect of the coupling between the trim pins and the post assembly trim circuit of the IC, while leaving the pins fully usable for other purposes. This means that following the post-assembly trim the trim pins cannot accidentally be employed for further trimming and the packaged IC is user-proof. A circuit that employs zener zapping for both trimming and disconnect is detailed and the invention is clearly usable for plastic encapsulated devices. However, when cavity containing packages are involved it is shown that a combination of zener zapping and fuse blowing can be employed.