US Patent 7486535 Method and device for programming anti-fuses

A device includes an anti-fuse including a first electrode that can be selectively coupled to a first voltage reference and a second electrode that can be selectively coupled to a second voltage reference. The device further includes a shunt transistor including a first current electrode coupled to the first electrode of the anti-fuse, a second current electrode coupled to the second electrode of the anti-fuse, and a control electrode. The device additionally includes control logic configured to disable the shunt transistor in response to a first program operation intended for the anti-fuse. The control logic also is configured to enable the shunt transistor in response to a second program operation not intended for the anti-fuse.