Integrated circuit power device with automatic removal of defective devices and method of fabricating same
First Claim
1. A power device comprising:
- an integrated circuit;
a plurality of individual devices formed in said integrated circuit, electrically connected in parallel, the individual devices each handling a relatively small current so that said plurality of individual devices electrically connected in parallel handle a relatively large current, to thereby provide an integrated circuit power device; and
,a plurality of defect responsive automatic disabling means formed in said integrated circuit, a respective one of which is electrically connected to an associated at least one of said individual devices, each of said defect responsive automatic disabling means being responsive to a defect in the associated individual devices for automatically disabling the associated individual devices;
whereby an operable integrated circuit power device is obtained notwithstanding a defect in the individual power devices thereof.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An integrated circuit power device is disclosed having a large number of individual devices formed in an integrated circuit. Disabling devices are provided in the integrated circuit, a respective one of which is electrically connected to an associated one or more of the individual devices. Each of the disabling devices is responsive to a defect in the associated one or more individual devices, such as a short circuit, for automatically disabling the associated one or more individual devices. An operable integrated circuit power device is obtained, notwithstanding a defective one or more of the individual devices. Testing of individual devices, or customized mask generation is not necessary. In a preferred embodiment, the disabling device is a fusible link formed of a low melting point conductor. In response to the initial powering up of the device or in response to a gate pulse, all fusible links associated with short circuited individual devices will melt, thereby insulating the remainder of the devices from the short circuit.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A power device comprising:
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an integrated circuit; a plurality of individual devices formed in said integrated circuit, electrically connected in parallel, the individual devices each handling a relatively small current so that said plurality of individual devices electrically connected in parallel handle a relatively large current, to thereby provide an integrated circuit power device; and
,a plurality of defect responsive automatic disabling means formed in said integrated circuit, a respective one of which is electrically connected to an associated at least one of said individual devices, each of said defect responsive automatic disabling means being responsive to a defect in the associated individual devices for automatically disabling the associated individual devices; whereby an operable integrated circuit power device is obtained notwithstanding a defect in the individual power devices thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A power device comprising:
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an integrated circuit; a plurality of cell blocks, each containing an array of individual cells electrically connected in parallel, each array of individual cells comprising at least one individual device for passing a relatively small current so that said plurality of cell blocks, electrically connected in parallel, pass a relatively large current, to thereby provide an integrated circuit power device; a fusible link electrically connected to each cell block each of said fusible links being configured for melting in response to a defect in the connected cell; and a common control electrode adjacent to each cell block and electrically connected to each fusible link; whereby cell blocks containing defective individual cells are automatically disabled. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification