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. 05, 2009
Filed:
Oct. 19, 2006
Anthony Gus Aipperspach, Rochester, MN (US);
David Howard Allen, Rochester, MN (US);
Phil Paone, Rochester, MN (US);
David Edward Schmitt, Rochester, MN (US);
Gregory John Uhlmann, Rochester, MN (US);
Anthony Gus Aipperspach, Rochester, MN (US);
David Howard Allen, Rochester, MN (US);
Phil Paone, Rochester, MN (US);
David Edward Schmitt, Rochester, MN (US);
Gregory John Uhlmann, Rochester, MN (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A electrically programmable fuse sense circuit having an electrically programmable fuse and a reference resistance. A first current source is coupled, through a first switch, to the electrically programmable fuse. A second current source is coupled, through a second switch, to the reference resistance. A precharge signal enables the first current source, the second current source and closes the first switch and the second switch, creating voltage drops across the electrically programmable fuse and the reference resistance. When the precharge signal goes inactive, the first current source and the second current source are shut off, and, at the same time the first switch and the second switch are opened. A latching circuit uses a difference in the voltage drops when the precharge signal goes inactive to store a state of the electrically programmable fuse, indicative of whether the electrically programmable fuse is blown or unblown.