Patent ID: 7215175

Claim:
A system for programming fuses in integrated circuits, comprising: a fuse cell; a reference circuit; a sense amplifier; and a level detector operable to control current through said fuse cell; wherein said reference circuit and said sense amplifier are operable to implement a sensing scheme comprising first and second stages, said first stage comprising current-mode sensing and said second stage comprising auto-read current reduction; wherein said fuse cell comprises a fuse having a predetermined resistance, said fuse being connected to a supply voltage (V prog ), wherein said fuse cell is operable to generate a bitline voltage (V b1 ) as a function of said supply voltage and said resistance of said fuse; and wherein said reference circuit and said sense amplifier are connected to a virtual ground and wherein said level detector is operable to automatically raise the voltage level of said virtual ground if said supply voltage (V prog ) exceeds a predetermined DC voltage level.