Patent ID: 7271988
Filing Date: 2007-09-18
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
1. An electrical fuse circuit with electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, comprising: at least one electrical fuse; a programming device coupled in series with the electrical fuse having at least a transistor for receiving a control signal for controlling a programming current flowing through the electrical fuse; a voltage source coupled to the fuse and the programming device for providing the programming current; and a protection module coupled to a gate of the transistor at its first end for reducing charges accumulated at the gate of the transistor due to electric static charges arriving at the voltage source, thereby preventing the programming device from accidentally programming the fuse; and a voltage source protection circuit coupled to the protection module for providing the control signal, the voltage source protection circuit having an RC network and transistor combination for preventing spikes appearing on the voltage source to accidentally program the fuse.