Integrated circuit with programmable fuse array

Abstract

An integrated circuit (IC). The integrated circuit comprises an array () of data cells arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. Each of the data cells comprises an electrically programmable fuse (), and each electrically programmable fuse comprises a current path for providing a first digital state when the current path is left intact and for providing a second digital state when the current path is destroyed. Each row of the plurality of rows comprises at least one cell reserved for providing a protection indicator for the row, wherein the protection indicator is selected from a set consisting of read protection and write protection. The integrated circuit also comprises control circuitry () for selectively destroying the programmable fuse in selected ones of the data cells in a programmation mode. The integrated circuit also comprises control circuitry () for reading selected ones of the data cells in a read mode.