Abstract: Fuse driver circuits, fuse driver testing circuitry, and methods for testing the fuse driver circuits using the testing circuitry are described. In some embodiments, the fuse driver circuit can be made using a fuse, a NMOS transistor, and a PMOS transistor. The drain of the NMOS transistor can be connected to the negative end of the fuse. The source of the NMOS transistor can be connected to ground. The drain of the PMOS transistor can be connected to a positive end of the fuse. The NMOS and PMOS transistors provide enhanced robustness to the fuse driver circuit in both undervoltage and overvoltage conditions. Other embodiments are also described.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 10, 2010
Date of Patent:
December 29, 2015
Assignee:
Fairchild Semiconductor Coporation
Inventors:
Kenneth P. Snowdon, William Robert Newberry, James Hall, Roy Yarbrough