Abstract: An integrated circuit includes at least one antifuse element. The antifuse element is formed from a semiconductor substrate, a trench extending down from a first face of the semiconductor substrate into the semiconductor substrate, a first conductive layer housed in the trench and extending down from the first face of the semiconductor substrate into the semiconductor substrate, a dielectric layer on the first face of the semiconductor substrate, and a second conductive layer on the dielectric layer. A program transistor selectively electrically couples the second conductive layer to a program voltage in response to a program signal. A program/read transistor selectively electrically couples the first conductive layer to a ground voltage in response to the program signal and in response to a read signal. A read transistor selectively electrically couples the second conductive layer to a read amplifier in response to the read signal.

Abstract: An attack on an integrated circuit using a beam of electrically charged particles is detected by collecting charges due to the attack using at least one electrically conductive body that is electrically coupled to the floating gate of a state transistor. Prior to the attack, the state transistor is configured to confer an initial threshold voltage. The collected charges passed to the floating gate cause a modification of the threshold voltage of the state transistor. Detection of the attack is made by determining that the threshold voltage of the state transistor is different from the initial threshold voltage.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is protected against at attack. An electrically conductive body at floating potential is situated in the integrated circuit. The electrically conductive body has an initial amount of electric charge prior to the attack and functions to collect electric charge as a result of the attack. A detection circuit operates to detect an amount of electric charge collected on the electrically conductive body and determine whether the collected amount is different from the initial amount. If the detected amount of charge is different from the initial amount, a control circuit trigger the taking of a protective action.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a circuit module storing sensitive data. An electrically conductive body at a floating potential is located in the integrated circuit and holds an initial amount of electric charge. In response to an attack attempting to access the sensitive data, electric charge is collected on the electrically conductive body. A protection circuit is configured to ground an output of the circuit module, and thus preclude access to the sensitive data, in response to collected amount of electric charge on the electrically conductive body differing from the initial amount and exceeding a threshold.

Abstract: Methods of forming and operating a switching device are provided. The switching device is formed in an interconnect, the interconnect including a plurality of metallization levels, and has an assembly that includes a beam held by a structure. The beam and structure are located within the same metallization level. Locations of fixing of the structure on the beam are arranged so as to define for the beam a pivot point situated between these fixing locations. The structure is substantially symmetric with respect to the beam and to a plane perpendicular to the beam in the absence of a potential difference. The beam is able to pivot in a first direction in the presence of a first potential difference applied between a first part of the structure and to pivot in a second direction in the presence of a second potential difference applied between a second part of the structure.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a substrate and at least one component unfavorably sensitive to compressive stress which is arranged at least partially within an active region of the substrate limited by an insulating region. To address compressive stress in the active region, the circuit further includes at least one electrically inactive trench located at least in the insulating region and containing an internal area configured to reduce compressive stress in the active region. The internal area is filled with polysilicon. The polysilicon filled trench may further extend through the insulating region and into the substrate.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes several metallization levels separated by an insulating region. A hollow housing whose walls comprise metallic portions is produced within various metallization levels. A controllable capacitive device includes a suspended metallic structure situated in the hollow housing within a first metallization level including a first element fixed on two fixing zones of the housing and at least one second element extending in cantilever fashion from the first element and includes a first electrode of the capacitive device. A second electrode includes a first fixed body situated at a second metallization level adjacent to the first metallization level facing the first electrode. The first element is controllable in flexion from a control zone of this first element so as to modify the distance between the two electrodes.

Abstract: A method of operating a mechanical switching device is disclosed. The switching device includes a housing, an assembly disposed in the housing, and a body. The assembly is thermally deformable and comprises a beam held in two different places by two arms secured to edges of the housing. The beam is remote from the body in a first configuration and in contact with and immobilized by the body in a second configuration. The assembly has the first configuration at a first temperature and the second configuration when one of the arms has a second temperature different from the first temperature. The method includes exposing an arm of the assembly to the second temperature, and releasing the beam using a release mechanism. The release mechanism includes a pointed element comprising a pointed region directed towards the body. The pointed element limits an open crater in a concave part of a projection.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer includes first zones containing integrated circuits, each first zone including a substrate and a sealing ring at a periphery of the substrate. The first zones are separated from each other by second zones defining cutting lines or paths. The integrated circuit includes an electrically conductive fuse that extends between a first location inside the integrated circuit and a second location situated outside the integrated circuit beyond one of the cutting lines. This electrically conductive fuse includes a portion that passes through the sealing ring and another portion that straddles the adjacent cutting line. The portion of the fuse that passes through is electrically isolated from the sealing ring and from the substrate. The straddling portion is configured to be sliced, when cutting the wafer along the cutting line, so as to cause the fuse to change from an electrical on state to an electrical off state.

Abstract: Method of wireless communication between a first device and a second device, in which, the first device and the second device comprising respectively a first thermoelectric generator and a second thermoelectric generator, the two thermoelectric generators being in thermal coupling, a first signal is generated within the first device, the first thermoelectric generator is electrically powered as a function of the first signal so as to create a first thermal gradient in the said first generator and a second thermal gradient in the second generator, and a second signal is generated within the second device on the basis of the electrical energy produced by the second thermoelectric generator in response to the said second thermal gradient.

Abstract: A method for producing an integrated circuit pointed element is disclosed. An element has a projection with a concave part directing its concavity towards the element. The element includes a first etchable material. A zone is formed around the concave part of the element. The zone includes a second material that is less rapidly etchable than the first material for a particular etchant. The first material and the second material are etched with the particular etchant to form an open crater in the concave part and thus to form a pointed region of the element.

Abstract: An EEPROM memory cell includes a dual-gate MOS transistor in which the two gates are separated by an insulation layer. The insulation layer includes a first portion and a second portion having lower insulation properties than the first one. The second portion is located at least partially above a channel region of the transistor.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a substrate; an interconnect portion disposed over the substrate, the interconnect portion comprising multiple metallization levels separated by an insulating region; and an antifuse structure coated with a portion of the insulating region, the antifuse structure comprising a beam held at two different points by two arms, a body, and an antifuse insulating zone, the beam, the body and the arms being metal and located within a same metallization level, the body and the beam mutually making contact via the antifuse insulating zone, the antifuse insulating zone configured to undergo breakdown in the presence of a breakdown potential difference between the body and the beam.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a substrate and at least one component unfavorably sensitive to compressive stress which is arranged at least partially within an active region of the substrate limited by an insulating region. To address compressive stress in the active region, the circuit further includes at least one electrically inactive trench located at least in the insulating region and containing an internal area configured to reduce compressive stress in the active region. The internal area is filled with polysilicon. The polysilicon filled trench may further extend through the insulating region and into the substrate.

Abstract: A fuse device is formed by a PN junction semiconducting region that is electrically insulated from other portions of an integrated circuit. The fuse device includes a first semiconducting zone having P type of conductivity and a second semiconducting zone having N type of conductivity in contact at a PN junction. First and second electrically conducting contact zones are provided on the first and second semiconducting zone, respectively, without making contact with the PN junction. One of the first and second semiconducting zones is configured with a non-homogeneous concentration of dopants, where a region with a lower value of concentration of dopant is located at the PN junction and a region with a higher value of concentration of dopant is locates at the corresponding electrically conducting contact zone.

Abstract: A device includes a thermally deformable assembly accommodated in a cavity of the interconnection part of an integrated circuit. The assembly can bend when there is a variation in temperature, so that its free end zone is displaced vertically. The assembly can be formed in the back end of line of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A system, supplied by a power supply, is switched into standby mode by an electronic device that includes a charging input coupled to a charge voltage obtained from the voltage delivered by the power supply. A first input is coupled to the power supply and a power supply output is coupled to the system. A storage capacitive element is coupled to the charging input and configured to be charged by the charge voltage. A switching circuit, coupled between the first input and the power supply output, disconnects the power supply output from the first input when the voltage across the terminals of the storage capacitive element is higher than a threshold. A discharge circuit discharges the storage capacitive element so that the capacitor voltage becomes lower than the threshold. The switching circuit further re-connects the first input to the power supply output at the end of the discharge period.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate and a multitude of electrically conductive pads situated between component zones of the semiconductor substrate and a first metallization level of the integrated circuit, respectively. The multitude of electrically conductive pads are encapsulated in an insulating region and include: first pads, in electrical contact with corresponding first component zones, and at least one second pad, not in electrical contact with a corresponding second component zone.

Abstract: Method of wireless communication between a first device and a second device, in which, the first device and the second device comprising respectively a first thermoelectric generator and a second thermoelectric generator, the two thermoelectric generators being in thermal coupling, a first signal is generated within the first device, the first thermoelectric generator is electrically powered as a function of the first signal so as to create a first thermal gradient in the said first generator and a second thermal gradient in the second generator, and a second signal is generated within the second device on the basis of the electrical energy produced by the second thermoelectric generator in response to the said second thermal gradient.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a substrate; an interconnect portion disposed over the substrate, the interconnect portion comprising multiple metallization levels separated by an insulating region; and an antifuse structure coated with a portion of the insulating region, the antifuse structure comprising a beam held at two different points by two arms, a body, and an antifuse insulating zone, the beam, the body and the arms being metal and located within a same metallization level, the body and the beam mutually making contact via the antifuse insulating zone, the antifuse insulating zone configured to undergo breakdown in the presence of a breakdown potential difference between the body and the beam.