2. Acknowledgement
This presentation has been summarized from
various books, papers, websites and
presentations related to the topic all over the
world. I couldn’t remember where these large
pull of hints and work come from. However,
I’d like to thank all professors and scientists
who created such a good work on this
emerging field. Without those efforts in this
very emerging technology, these notes and
slides can’t be finished.
2
Usha
Mehta
08-12-2023
4. Ideal Programmable Switch
• An FPLD contains thousands of such
programmable switches.
• Hence the switches should
• Occupy very less area
• Have very low ON resistance and very high
OFF resistance
• Have very less parasitic capacitance
• Easily fabricated in large number with high
reliability
4
Usha
Mehta
08-12-2023
5. • Programmable switches may be
• Permanent
• One time Programmable
• Non Permanent
• Reprogrammable
5
Usha
Mehta
08-12-2023
6. Fuse
• One Time Programmable (OTP)
• Initially: SHORT,
• After programming: OPEN
6
Usha
Mehta
08-12-2023
10. Antifuse Technology
• Opposite to Fuse
• Initially: OPEN
• Programmed by forcing a current through it:
SHORT
• Actel calls it “Programmable Low-Impedance
Circuit Element (PLICE)”
10
Usha
Mehta
08-12-2023
11. Antifuse Structure
• Two metal layers
sandwich a layer of
non-conductive,
amorphous silicon.
When voltage is
applied to this
middle layer, the
amorphous silicon
is turned into
polysilicon, which
is conductive.
11
Usha
Mehta
08-12-2023
14. Antifuse: Advantages-Disadvantages
• Advantages
• Very small in size hence allows denser switch
population
• Low series resistance
• Low parasitic capacitance
• Disadvantages
• One time programmable
• Requires extra circuitry to deliver the high
programming voltage
• Requires a specific process ( not same as
normal standard integrated circuit process)
14
Usha
Mehta
08-12-2023
15. Static RAM Programmable Switch
• Use SRAM Cell to control pass transistor or
multiplexer by the bit-content in the SRAM
cell.
15
Usha
Mehta
08-12-2023
17. • Disadvantages
• Volatile
• External Permanent memory required
• Large Area Required
• Advantages
• Easily and quickly reprogrammable
• Requires only standard integrated circuit
process technology for fabrication. No special
requirements like Antifuse
17
Usha
Mehta
08-12-2023
18. EPROM Technology
• Use of Erasable Programmable Transistor as
switch
• It is an array of floating-gate transistors
individually programmed by an electronic
device that supplies higher voltages than
those normally used in digital circuits.
18
Usha
Mehta
08-12-2023
19. EPROM Structure
• A FET with floating gate
• The floating gate has no connections to other parts of
the integrated circuit and is completely insulated by
the surrounding layers of oxide
• Storing data requires applying a higher voltage to the
transistors.
• This creates an avalanche discharge of electrons,
which have enough energy to pass through the
insulating oxide layer and accumulate on the gate
electrode.
• When the high voltage is removed, the electrons are
trapped on the electrode.
• Because of the high insulation value of the silicon
oxide surrounding the gate, the stored charge cannot
readily leak away and the data can be retained for
decades. 19
Usha
Mehta
08-12-2023
20. EPROM as switch
• Become Open path
when programmed
because of the
electrons trapped
on floating gate
raise the threshold
voltage of n
Channel EPROM
above VDD
• Erasable/Reprogra
mmable by
applying UV light
20
Usha
Mehta
08-12-2023
22. Comparison of Switching Technologies
SRAM Antifuse EPROM EEPROM
Manufacturi
ng Process
Easy Hard Hard Hard
Reprogramm
able?
Yes
(in circuit)
No Yes
(Out of
Circuit)
Yes
(in circuit)
Size Large (12X) Small (1X) Small Small
ON
Resistance
600-800
Ohm
100-500
Ohm
1-4K 1-4K
OFF
capacitance
(fF)
10-50 1-3 10-50 10-50
Power
Consumptio
n
Very less less High High
Volatile? Yes No No No
22
Usha
Mehta
08-12-2023
24. Market Use of Programmable Switches
• Actel: Antifuse
• Xilinx: SRAM
• Altera: EEPROM/FLASH
24
Usha
Mehta
08-12-2023
25. Radiation Immunity of Programmable
Switches
Antifuse SRAM FLASH
Configuration has been
designated as hard regarding
SEEs.
Configuration has been
designated as the most
susceptible portion of
circuitry.
Configuration
has been
designated as
hard (but NOT
immune)
regarding SEEs
No need of mitigation Strong need of
mitigation
No need of mitigation
08-12-2023
Usha
Mehta
25