Abstract: A vertical Field Effect Transistor (FET) that may be an N-type FET (NFET) or a P-type FET (PFET); a multi-device vertical structure that may be two or more NFETs or two or more PFETs; logic gates including at least one vertical FET or at least one multi-device vertical; a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cell and array including at least one vertical FET; a memory array including at least one such SRAM cell; and the process of forming the vertical FET structure, the vertical multi-device (multi-FET) structure, the logic gates and the SRAM cell. The vertical FETs are epitaxially grown layered stacks of NPN or PNP with the side of a polysilicon gate layer adjacent the device's channel layer. The multi-FET structure may be formed by forming sides of two or more gates adjacent to the same channel layer or, by forming multiple channel layers in the same stack, e.g., PNPNP or NPNPN, each with its own gate, i.e., the side of a polysilicon gate layer.

Abstract: Wafer test and burn-in is accomplished with state machine or programmable test engines located on the wafer being tested. Each test engine requires less than 10 connections and each test engine can be connected to a plurality of chips, such as a row or a column of chips on the wafer. Thus, the number of pads of the wafer that must be connected for test is substantially reduced while a large degree of parallel testing is still provided. The test engines also permit on-wafer allocation of redundancy in parallel so that failing chips can be repaired after burn-in is complete. In addition, the programmable test engines can have their code altered so test programs can be modified to account for new information after the wafer has been fabricated. The test engines are used during burn-in to provide high frequency write signals to DRAM arrays that provide a higher effective voltage to the arrays, lowering the time required for burn-in.

Abstract: A pair of directly coupled Field Effect transistors (FETs), a latch of directly coupled FETs, a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cell including a latch of directly coupled FETs and the process of forming the directly coupled FET structure, latch and SRAM cell. The vertical FETs, which may be both PFETs, NFETs or one of each, are epi-grown NPN or PNP stacks separated by a gate oxide, SiO2. Each device's gate is the source or drain of the other device of the pair. The preferred embodiment latch includes two such pairs of directly coupled vertical FETs connected together to form cross coupled invertors. A pass gate layer is bonded to one surface of a layer of preferred embodiment latches to form an array of preferred embodiment SRAM cells. The SRAM cell may include one or two pass gates. The preferred embodiment SRAM process has three major steps. First, preferred embodiment latches are formed in an oxide layer on a silicon wafer.

Abstract: A first one time, voltage programmable logic element is provided in a semiconductor substrate of first conductivity type that comprises a first layer beneath a surface of the substrate, the first layer having a second conductivity type; and a trench formed through the surface and passing through the first layer. The trench comprises an interior surface, a dielectric material lining the interior surface and a conductive material filling the lined trench. The first logic element is configured so that a predetermined voltage or higher applied between the conductive material and the first layer causes a breakdown within a region of the trench. A second one time, voltage programmable logic element is provided in a semiconductor substrate of first conductivity type that comprises a first layer formed in a surface of the substrate, the first layer having a second conductivity type; and a trench formed through the surface and passing through the first layer.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a programable latch device for use in personalizing a semiconductor device is provided that overcomes the limitations of the prior art. The preferred embodiment programmable latch device can use both fuses and antifuses as programmable elements. The programmable latch device provides a solid digital output indicative of the state of the programmable device, and can be reliably read to provide customization and personalization of associated semiconductor devices. The preferred embodiment programable latch device includes an integrated fuse or antifuse as a programmable element in the latch device. By integrating the programmable element into the latch, device size and complexity is minimized. In particular, the number of transistors required drops considerably when compared to prior art approaches.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a programable latch device for use in personalizing a semiconductor device is provided that overcomes the limitations of the prior art. The preferred embodiment programmable latch device can use both fuses and antifuses as programmable elements. The programmable latch device provides a solid digital output indicative of the state of the programmable device, and can be reliably read to provide customization and personalization of associated semiconductor devices. The preferred embodiment programable latch device includes an integrated fuse or antifuse as a programmable element in the latch device. By integrating the programmable element into the latch, device size and complexity is minimized. In particular, the number of transistors required drops considerably when compared to prior art approaches.

Abstract: A method and semiconductor structure that uses a field enhanced region where the oxide thickness is substantially reduced, thereby allowing antifuse programming at burn-in voltages which do not damage the standard CMOS logic. The semiconductor device comprises a substrate that has a raised protrusion terminating at a substantially sharp point, an insulator layer over the raised protrusion sufficiently thin to be breached by a breakdown voltage applied to the sharp point, a region comprised of a material on the insulator over the raised protrusion for becoming electrically coupled to the substrate after the insulator layer is breached by the breakdown voltage, and a contact for supplying the breakdown voltage to the substrate.

Abstract: A first one time, voltage programmable logic element is provided in a semiconductor substrate of first conductivity type that comprises a first layer beneath a surface of the substrate, the first layer having a second conductivity type; and a trench formed through the surface and passing through the first layer. The trench comprises an interior surface, a dielectric material lining the interior surface and a conductive material filling the lined trench. The first logic element is configured so that a predetermined voltage or higher applied between the conductive material and the first layer causes a breakdown within a region of the trench. A second one time, voltage programmable logic element is provided in a semiconductor substrate of first conductivity type that comprises a first layer formed in a surface of the substrate, the first layer having a second conductivity type; and a trench formed through the surface and passing through the first layer.

Abstract: A gap conductor structure for an integrated electronic circuit that may function as an electronic fuse device or as a low capacitance inter level signal line is integrated as part of the semi-conductor chip wiring. The gap conducting structure includes one or more air gap regions of predefined volume that fully or partially exposes a length of interlevel conductor layer in an IC. Alternately, the air gap region may wholly located within the dielectric region below a corresponding conductor and separated by insulator. When functioning as a fuse, the gap region acts to reduce thermal conductivity away from the exposed portion of the conductor enabling generation of higher heat currents in the conducting line with lower applied voltages sufficient to melt a part of the conducting line. The presence of gaps, and hence, the fuses, are scalable and may be tailored to the capacity of currents they must carry with the characteristics of the fuses defined by a circuit designer.

Abstract: A vertical Field Effect Transistor (FET) that may be an N-type FET (NFET) or a P-type FET (PFET); a multi-device vertical structure that may be two or more NFETs or two or more PFETs; logic gates including at least one vertical FET or at least one multi-device vertical; a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cell and array including at least one vertical FET; a memory array including at least one such SRAM cell; and the process of forming the vertical FET structure, the vertical multi-device (multi-FET) structure, the logic gates and the SRAM cell. The vertical FETs are epitaxially grown layered stacks of NPN or PNP with the side of a polysilicon gate layer adjacent the device's channel layer. The multi-FET structure may be formed by forming sides of two or more gates adjacent to the same channel layer or, by forming multiple channel layers in the same stack, e.g., PNPNP or NPNPN, each with its own gate, i.e., the side of a polysilicon gate layer.

Abstract: Wafer test and burn-in is accomplished with state machine or programmable test engines located on the wafer being tested. Each test engine requires less than 10 connections and each test engine can be connected to a plurality of chips, such as a row or a column of chips on the wafer. Thus, the number of pads of the wafer that must be connected for test is substantially reduced while a large degree of parallel testing is still provided. The test engines also permit on-wafer allocation of redundancy in parallel so that failing chips can be repaired after burn-in is complete. In addition, the programmable test engines can have their code altered so test programs can be modified to account for new information after the wafer has been fabricated. The test engines are used during burn-in to provide high frequency write signals to DRAM arrays that provide a higher effective voltage to the arrays, lowering the time required for burn-in.

Abstract: A vertical Field Effect Transistor (FET) that may be an N-type FET (NFET) or a P-type FET (PFET); a multi-device vertical structure that may be two or more NFETs or two or more PFETS; logic gates including at least one vertical FET or at least one multi-device vertical; a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cell and array including at least one vertical FET; a memory array including at least one such SRAM cell; and the process of forming the vertical FET structure, the vertical multi-device (multi-FET) structure, the logic gates and the SRAM cell. The vertical FETs are epitaxially grown layered stacks of NPN or PNP with the side of a polysilicon gate layer adjacent the device's channel layer. The multi-FET structure may be formed by forming sides of two or more gates adjacent to the same channel layer or, by forming multiple channel layers in the same stack, e.g., PNPNP or NPNPN, each with its own gate, i.e., the side of a polysilicon gate layer.

Abstract: Mask programmable conductors of the same construction as the mask layers they define are utilized for mask vintage identification. When the actual mask layer is altered, the change is recorded within the mask itself. Mask identification can be fabricated to identify the following type of mask layers: DT—deep trench; SS—surface strap; DIFF—Diffusion; NDIFF—N Diffusion; PDIFF—P Diffusion; WL—N wells; PC—polysilicon gates; BN—N diffusion Implant; BP—P diffusion Implant; C1—first contact; M1—first metal layer; C2—second contact; and, M2—second metal layer. Conducting paths that incorporate, in series, the mask programmable conductor technology devices are: M1-C1-PC-C1-DIFF-C1-M1-C2-M2; M1-C1-PDIFF-SS-DT-SS-PDIFF-C1-M1-C2-M2; M2-C2-M1-C1-PC-C1-M1; M2-C2-M1-C1-NDIFF-WL-NDIFF-C1-M1; and, M2-C2-M1-C1-NDIFF-C1-M1-C1-PC-C1-M1. These conducting paths are electrically opened with the omission of any of the layers in the series path.

Abstract: An assembly is provided that includes an interposer having first and second substantially flat, opposed surfaces, and at least one speed critical signal line extending directly through the interposer from the first surface to the second surface. A first IC is coupled to the first surface of the interposer and has a first external connection mechanism coupled to the at least one speed critical signal line. A second IC is coupled to the second surface of the interposer and has a first external connection mechanism coupled to the at least one speed critical signal line. Preferably at least one non-speed critical signal line is provided within the interposer and is coupled to a second external connection mechanism of the first IC and/or the second IC for delivering non-speed critical signals thereto or for receiving such signals therefrom.

Abstract: A vertical Field Effect Transistor (FET) that may be an N-type FET (NFET) or a P-type FET (PFET); a multi-device vertical structure that may be two or more NFETs or two or more PFETS; logic gates including at least one vertical FET or at least one multi-device vertical; a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cell and array including at least one vertical FET; a memory array including at least one such SRAM cell; and the process of forming the vertical FET structure, the vertical multi-device (multi-FET) structure, the logic gates and the SRAM cell. The vertical FETs are epitaxially grown layered stacks of NPN or PNP with the side of a polysilicon gate layer adjacent the device's channel layer. The multi-FET structure may be formed by forming sides of two or more gates adjacent to the same channel layer or, by forming multiple channel layers in the same stack, e.g., PNPNP or NPNPN, each with its own gate, i.e., the side of a polysilicon gate layer.

Abstract: Wafer test and burn-in is accomplished with state machine or programmable test engines located on the wafer being tested. Each test engine requires less than 10 connections and each test engine can be connected to a plurality of chips, such as a row or a column of chips on the wafer. Thus, the number of pads of the wafer that must be connected for test is substantially reduced while a large degree of parallel testing is still provided. The test engines also permit on-wafer allocation of redundancy in parallel so that failing chips can be repaired after burn-in is complete. In addition, the programmable test engines can have their code altered so test programs can be modified to account for new information after the wafer has been fabricated. The test engines are used during burn-in to provide high frequency write signals to DRAM arrays that provide a higher effective voltage to the arrays, lowering the time required for burn-in.

Abstract: A high bandwidth DRAM is provided with two separate bus networks connecting the DRAM to a processor. One bus network is a high speed (e.g., 500 MHZ) 8:1 or 16:1 multiplexed I/O bus and the second is a slower (e.g., 64-bit) bus. The high-speed bus is used for example for graphic intensive applications which require fast access to large numbers of bits in the DRAM memory array. This of course results in higher power requirements. Since, not all applications require such large amounts of data to be transferred between the DRAM and the processor, the slower bus is provided for these less demanding applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, and the like. The slower bus requires less power to operate and therefore results in a power saving mode which, among other things, facilitates longer battery life.

Abstract: A processor with a memory send/received control circuit including a bus drive circuit and a detector circuit connected via control bus line to the control input of the memory. A data input line, or output line, or data input/output line is connected between the processor and the memory. A transmission line stub having a length that is incrementally variable is connected to the memory control input side of the control line 14. The impedance Z0 of the transmission line stub is equal to that of the control line and is open circuited at the end which results in voltage doubling to achieve high speed synchronization between control signals and data signals and to ensure valid data at high clock rates.

Abstract: A pair of directly coupled Field Effect transistors (FETs), a latch of directly coupled FETS, a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cell including a latch of directly coupled FETs and the process of forming the directly coupled FET structure, latch and SRAM cell. The vertical FETs, which may be both PFETs, NFETs or one of each, are epi-grown NPN or PNP stacks separated by a gate oxide, SiO.sub.2. Each device's gate is the source or drain of the other device of the pair. The preferred embodiment latch includes two such pairs of directly coupled vertical FETs connected together to form cross coupled invertors. A pass gate layer is bonded to one surface of a layer of preferred embodiment latches to form an array of preferred embodiment SRAM cells. The SRAM cell may include one or two pass gates. The preferred embodiment SRAM process has three major steps. First, preferred embodiment latches are formed in an oxide layer on a silicon wafer.

Abstract: A Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) configurable by eight (.times.8) or by nine (.times.9). The DRAM has nine Data Input/Outputs (I/Os). The memory array is divided into two or more sub-arrays, with sub-array cells arranged in addressable rows and columns. When the DRAM is configured .times.8, one I/O is held in its high impedance state; one ninth of the DRAM's data path (between the array and the ninth I/O) is ignored; and, the entire array address space is available for data storage through eight I/Os. When the DRAM is configured .times.9, all nine I/Os are active; the DRAM I/O path is reconfigured with part of the array providing the ninth bit through the ninth I/O; and the array address space reduced by one-eighth. All nine bits may be from a common sub-array. Alternatively, sub-arrays may be paired so that when the DRAM is configured .times.9, eight bits are accessed in seven-eighths of one sub-array, with the ninth bit being accessed in one eighth of the other sub-array of the pair.