Method and device for identifying the version of integrated circuits and use controling operating sequences

• US 20040036084A1
• Filed: 09/09/2003
• Published: 02/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Aue, Axel, Leibbrand, Beate, Kirschner, Manfred, Zimmermann, Christian, Eckhardt, Juergen, Mocken, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US10/363,104
• Publication Number:
  US 20040036084A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 257/200
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/317 Testing of digital circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/006 Identification G06F11/2289 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2223/5444 for electrical read out
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2223/54473 for use after dicing
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/544 Marks applied to semiconductor devices or parts, e.g. registration marks, alignment structures, wafer maps test patterns for characterising or monitoring manufacturing processes H01L22/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00

Abstract

A device and method for identifying the version of integrated circuits IC is described, an ID, which indicates the respective version of the integrated circuit IC, being written in the form of at least one individually settable binary signal in a register R and being readable from the register R. The integrated circuit IC is constructed from multiple mask levels M1 to M5, at least one possible conduction path L2 being introduced through all mask levels M1 to M5 of the integrated circuit for each settable binary signal BS. The binary signal is settable according to whether the at least one conduction path through all mask levels conducts or is interrupted, means being contained which write the binary signal, which is set via the at least one conduction path, into the register. This method and this device may also be used for controlling operating sequences by a control unit.

Claims

1. A device for identifying the version of integrated circuits, an ID, which indicates the particular version of the integrated circuit, being written in a register in the form of at least one individually settable binary signal, said ID being readable from the register,

wherein the integrated circuit is constructed from multiple mask levels and at least one possible conduction path is introduced through all mask levels of the integrated circuit for each settable binary signal, the binary signal being settable according to whether the at least one conduction path through all mask levels conducts or is interrupted, means being contained which write the binary signal, which has been set via the at least one conduction path, into the register.

2. The device as recited in claim 1,

wherein the register is integrated into the integrated circuit and is connected to an interface, in particular a serial interface, via which the ID may be read out of the register.

3. The device as recited in claim 1,

wherein the conduction path has a main contact in an uppermost mask level and a main contact in a lowermost mask level, different electrical potentials being applied to the main contacts.

4. The device as recited in claim 1,

wherein the conduction path is connected to a switching means, in particular a transistor, and the switching means is connected to the register, the switching means being controlled as a function of whether the conduction path conducts or is interrupted, and a corresponding binary signal being written in the register via the connection as a function thereof.

5. The device as recited in claim 4,

wherein the switching means is implemented as a transistor, and a control terminal of the transistor is connected via a component, in particular a consumer or a power source, to a supply voltage.

6. The device as recited in claim 4,

wherein the switching means is implemented as a transistor, and the connection of the transistor to the register is additionally connected via a component, in particular a consumer or a power source, to a supply voltage.

7. The device as recited in claim 1,

wherein at least two possible conduction paths are connected to a logic means, in particular a logic gate, and the logic means is connected to the register, the binary signal being written in the register via the connection of the logic means to the register.

8. A control unit, which contains a device according to claim 1, the control unit controlling operating sequences, in particular in a vehicle, using selectable programs and/or data,

wherein the unit contains means which read out the register and analyze the ID and, in accordance with the version of the integrated circuit, select and/or adapt the programs and/or data for controlling the operating sequences.

9. A method of identifying the version of integrated circuits, an ID, which indicates the particular version of the integrated circuit, being written in a register in the form of at least one individually settable binary signal, the ID being readable from the register,

wherein the integrated circuit is constructed from multiple mask levels, and at least one possible conduction path is produced through all mask levels of the integrated circuit for each settable binary signal, the binary signal being set according to whether the at least one conduction path through all mask levels is rendered conductive or is interrupted, the binary signal set via the at least one conduction path being written in the register.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, the integrated circuit being used to control operating sequences, in particular in a vehicle, using selectable programs and/or data,

wherein the ID is read from the register and analyzed, and programs and/or data for controlling the operating sequences are selected and/or adapted as a function of the version of the integrated circuit corresponding to the ID.