Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device including a redundant metal line for replacing a non-operational metal line for connecting to a circuit block. The invention further includes a method for decoupling a defective or otherwise non-operational conductive data line from a circuit block to which it is connected, and replacing the defective conductive data line with a redundant line by coupling it to the same circuit block. A spare conductive block is not needed. The redundant metal lines may be used in multiple levels of hierarchy within an integrated circuit device.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 5, 1999
Date of Patent:
July 10, 2001
Assignees:
International Business Machines Corporation, Siemens Microelectronics, Inc., SMI Holding LLC, Seimen Dram Semiconductor Corp., Infineon Technologies Corporation