• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.687-691
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• 2011

In this paper, we design an 8-bit eSuse OTP (one-time programmable) memory in consideration of EM (electro-migration) and eFuse resistance variation based on a $0.18{\mu}m$ generic process, which is used for an analog trimming application. First, we use an external program voltage to increase the program power applied an eFuse. Secondly, we apply a scheme of precharging BL to VSS prior to RWL (read word line) activation and optimize read NMOS transistors to reduce the read current flowing through a non-programmed cell. Thirdly, we design a sensing margin test circuit with a variable pull-up load out of consideration for the eFuse resistance variation of a programmed eFuse. Finally, we increase program yield of eFuse OTP memory by splitting the length of an eFuse link.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.1455-1462
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• 2012

In this paper, a BCD process based high-reliability 24-bit dual-port eFuse OTP Memory for PMICs is designed. We propose a comparison circuit at program-verify-read mode to test that the program datum is correct by using a dynamic pseudo NMOS logic circuit. The comparison result of the program datum with its read datum is outputted to PFb (pass fail bar) pin. Thus, the normal operation of the designed OTP memory can be verified easily by checking the PFb pin. Also we propose a sensing margin test circuit with a variable pull-up load out of consideration for resistance variations of programmed eFuse at program-verify-read mode. We design a 24-bit eFuse OTP memory which uses Magnachip's $0.35{\mu}m$ BCD process, and the layout size is $289.9{\mu}m{\times}163.65{\mu}m$ ($=0.0475mm^2$).

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.310-318
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• 2015

In this paper, dual-port eFuse OTP (one-time programmable) memory cells with smaller cell sizes are used, a single VREF (reference voltage) is used in the designed eFuse OTP IP (intellectual property), and a BL (bit-line) sensing circuit using a S/A (sense amplifier) based D F/F is proposed. With this proposed sensing technique, the read current can be reduced to 3.887mA from 6.399mA. In addition, the sensing resistances of a programmed eFuse cell in the program-verify-read and read mode are also reduced to $9k{\Omega}$ and $5k{\Omega}$ due to the analog sensing. The layout size of the designed 32-bit eFuse OTP memory is $187.845{\mu}m{\times}113.180{\mu}m$ ($=0.0213{\mu}m2$), which is confirmed to be a small-area implementation.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.1858-1864
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• 2009

In this paper, we design a non-volatile memory IP, 1-kb one-time programmable (OTP) memory, used for power management ICs. Since a conventional OTP cell uses an isolated NMOS transistor as an antifuse, there is an advantage of it big cell size with the BCD process. We use, therefore, a PMOS transistor as an antifuse in lieu of the isolated NMOS transistor and minimize the cell size by optimizing the size of a OTP cell transistor. And we add an ESD protection circuit to the OTP core circuit to prevent an arbitrary cell from being programmed by a high voltage between the terminals of the PMOS antifuse when the ESD test is done. Furthermore, we propose a method of turning on a PMOS pull-up transistor of high impedance to eliminate a gate coupling noise in reading a non-programmed cell. The layout size of the designed 1-kb PMOS-type antifuse OTP IP with Dongbu's $0.18{\mu}m$ BCD is $129.93{\times}452.26{\mu}m^2$.

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.107-115
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• 2015

In this paper, a small-area 32-bit differential paired eFuse OTP memory for power ICs is designed. In case of smaller number of rows than that of columns for the OTP memory cell array, a scheme for the cell array reducing the number of SL driver circuits requiring their larger layout areas by routing the SL (source line) lines supplying programming currents for eFuse links in the row direction instead of the column direction as well as a core circuit is proposed. In addition, to solve a failure of being blown for non-blown eFuse links by the electro-migration phenomenon, a regulated voltage of V2V ($=2V{\pm}0.2V$) is used to a RWL (read word line) driver circuit and a BL (bit line) pull-up driver circuit. The layout size of the designed 32-bit eFuse OTP memory is $228.525{\mu}m{\times}105.435{\mu}m$, which is confirmed to be 20.7% smaller than that of the counterpart using the conventional cell array routing, namely $197.485{\mu}m{\times}153.715{\mu}m$.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.1914-1924
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• 2014

In this paper, a small-area cell array method of reducing number of SL drivers requiring large layout areas, where the SL drivers supplying programming currents are routed in the row direction in stead of the column direction for eFuse OTP memory IPs having less number of rows than that of columns such as a cell array of four rows by eight columns, and a core circuit are proposed. By adopting the proposed cell array and core circuit, the layout area of designed 32-bit eFuse OTP memory IP is reduced. Also, a V2V ($=2V{\pm}10%$) regulator necessary for RWL driver and BL pull-up load to prevent non-blown eFuse from being blown from the EM phenomenon by a big current is designed. The layout size of the designed 32-bit OTP memory IP having a cell array of four rows by eight columns is 13.4% smaller with $120.1{\mu}m{\times}127.51{\mu}m$ ($=0.01531mm^2$) than that of the conventional design with $187.065{\mu}m{\times}94.525{\mu}m$ ($=0.01768mm^2$).

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.183-190
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• 2010

We propose an eFuse one-time programmable (OTP) memory cell based on a logic process, which is programmable by an external program voltage. For the conventional eFuse OTP memory cell, a program datum is provided with the SL (Source Line) connected to the anode of the eFuse going through a voltage drop of the SL driving circuit. In contrast, the gate of the NMOS program transistor is provided with a program datum and the anode of the eFuse with an external program voltage (FSOURCE) of 3.8V without any voltage drop for the newly proposed eFuse cell. The FSOURCE voltage of the proposed cell keeps either 0V or the floating state at read mode. We propose a clamp circuit for being biased to 0V when the voltage of FSOURCE is in the floating state. In addition, we propose a VPP switching circuit switching between the logic VDD (=1.8V) and the FSOURCE voltage. The layout size of the designed eFuse OTP memory IP with Dongbu HiTek's $0.15{\mu}m$ generic process is $359.92{\times}90.98{\mu}m^2$.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SD
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.9-14
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• 2009

In this paper, we proposed a novel OTP unit bit of CMOS gate oxide antifuse using the standard CMOS process without additional process. The proposed OTP unit bit is composed of 3 transistors including an NMOS gate oxide antifuse and a sense amplifier of inverter type. The layout area of the proposed OTP unit bit is $22{\mu}m^2$ similar to a conventional OTP unit bit. The programming time of the proposed OTP unit bit is 3.6msec that is improved than that of the conventional OTP unit bit because it doesn't use high voltage blocking elements such as high voltage blocking switch transistor and resistor. And the OTP array with the proposed OTP unit bit doesn't need sense amplifier and bias generation circuit that are used in a conventional OTP array because sense amplifier of inverter type is included to the proposed OTP unit bit.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences
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• v.38B no.6
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• pp.492-500
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• 2013

The One-Time Password(OTP) Generator is used as a multi-factor authentication method to ensure secure transaction during e-Financial transaction in the bank and securities company. The OTP based e-Financial Transaction Verification Protocol ensures secure e-financial transaction through confirming the user's identity using OTP authentication information and counters not only Man-in-the-Browser(MITB) attacks but also memory hacking attacks. However, it is possible to generate correct OTPs due to potential of stealing sensitive information of the OTP generator through intelligent phishing, pharming, social engineering attacks. Therefore, it needs another scheme to prevent from above threats, and this paper proposes advanced scheme using Physical Unclonable Functions(PUFs) to solve these problems. First, it is impossible to generate the same OTP values because of the hysically unclonable features of PUFs. In addition, it is impossible to clone OTP generator with hardware techniques. Consequently, the proposed protocol provides stronger and more robust authentication protocol than existing one by adding PUFs in the OTP generator.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.1227-1234
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• 2008

In this paper is designed a 256-bit synchronous OTP(one-time programmable) memory required in application fields such as automobile appliance power ICs, display ICs, and CMOS image sensors. A 256-bit synchronous memory cell consists of NMOS capacitor as antifuse and access transistor without a high-voltage blocking transistor. A gate bias voltage circuit for the additional blocking transistor is removed since logic supply voltage VDD(=1.5V) and external program voltage VPPE(=5.5V) are used instead of conventional three supply voltages. And loading current of cell to be programmed increases according to RON(on resistance) of the antifuse and process variation in case of the voltage driving without current constraint in programming. Therefore, there is a problem that program voltage can be increased relatively due to resistive voltage drop on supply voltage VPP. And so loading current can be made to flow constantly by using the current driving method instead of the voltage driving counterpart in programming. Therefore, program voltage VPP can be lowered from 5.9V to 5.5V when measurement is done on the manufactured wafer. And the sens amplifier circuit is simplified by using the sens amplifier of clocked inverter type instead of the conventional current sent amplifier. The synchronous OTP of 256 bits is designed with Magnachip $0.13{\mu}m$ CMOS process. The layout area if $298.4{\times}314{\mu}m2$.