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:
May. 23, 1995
Filed:
Sep. 04, 1992
Gene L Armstrong, II, Garland, TX (US);
Benchmarg Microelectronics, Inc., Carrollton, TX (US);
Abstract
A fuse state sense circuit includes a fusible link (40) that is disposed between a node (38) and ground. A programming/sense pad (42) is provided to allow voltage to be applied to the node (38) external to the fuse state sense circuit. Current is provided to the node (38) through a current source (30) and a transistor (36). The transistor (36) is controlled by a bias current. An output node (32) is disposed between the current source (30) and the transistor (36). This is connected to the output through an inverter (34). In operation, the voltage on node (38) is raised to a first level to turn off transistor (36) to allow the output to be exercised and to change the state thereof to emulate the fusible link (40) being open. In a second and programming mode, the voltage on the node (38) is raised to a much higher level to allow sufficient current to flow through fusible link (40) to open it. Transistor ( 36) in this mode is rendered non-conductive and isolates the node (38) from the remaining portion of the circuit.