Matrix resistors for integrated circuit

Abstract

A plurality of resistance elements arranged in an n-row by n-column matrix are of substantially equal lengths and widths. The sides of the resistance elements which are in common rows and columns are colinear and first and second electrodes are provided at substantially the same location on each resistance element. The electrodes of the resistance elements are connected in a manner such that a series connection is formed between resistance elements belonging to different adjacent columns in the matrix between two sets of n external terminals.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An integrated circuit device comprising a plurality of substantially rectangular resistance elements each having first and second electrodes, said resistance elements being substantially equal both in width and in length to each other, said resistance elements being arranged in an n-row by n-column matrix (where n stands for an integer larger than 1), said first and second electrodes of each of said resistance elements being respectively provided at the same positions in each of said resistance elements, the upper sides of all of said resistance elements belonging to the same row of said matrix being colinear with a straight line, the lower sides of all of said resistance elements of the same row being colinear with a straight line, the right sides of all of said resistance elements belonging to the same column being colinear with a straight line, and the left sides of all of said resistance elements of the same column being colinear with a straight line, n numbers of first terminals respectively electrically connected with the first electrodes of the resistance elements of the first row, n numbers of second terminals respectively electrically connected with the second electrodes of the resistance elements of the n-th row, and means .[.for.]. respectively connecting the second electrodes of each of said resistance elements belonging to each row to the first electrodes of each of said resistance elements belonging to an adjacent row but belonging to a different column, thereby to form a series connection of n resistance elements belonging to different columns between each of said first terminals and each of said second terminals. 
     
     
       2. An integrated circuit device of claim 1, wherein all of said resistance elements are formed in the same substrate. 
     
     
       3. An integrated circuit device of claim 2, wherein said substrate is of semiconductor and said resistance elements are formed by introducing an impurity into said semiconductor substrate. 
     
     
       4. An integrated circuit device of claim 1, wherein all of said resistance elements are formed on one surface of a substrate. 
     
     
       5. A combination comprising four substantially rectangular resistance elements each having first and second electrodes, said resistance elements being substantially equal in width and in length to each other, said resistance elements being arranged in a 2-row by 2-column matrix, said first and second electrodes of each of said resistance elements being respectively provided at the same portions in each of said resistance elements, the upper sides of said resistance elements belonging to the same row being colinear with a straight line, the lower sides of said resistance elements of the same row being colinear with a straight line, the right sides of said resistance elements belonging to the same column being colinear with a straight line, and the left sides of said resistance elements of the same column being colinear with a straight line, and first, second, third, and fourth terminals, said first terminal being connected to said first electrode of said resistance element of the first row and the first column, said second terminal being connected to said first electrode of said resistance element of the first row and the second column, said third terminal being connected to said second electrode of said resistance element of the second row and the first column, and said fourth terminal being connected to said second electrode of said resistance element of the second row and the second column, said second electrode of said resistance element of the first row and the first column being connected to said first electrode of said resistance element of the second row and the second column, and said second electrode of said resistance element of the first row and the second column being connected to said first electrode of said resistance element of the second row and the first column. 
     
     
       6. .[.a.]. .Iadd.A .Iaddend.combination comprising a plurality of substantially rectangular resistance elements each having first and second electrodes, said resistance elements each having first, second, third, and fourth sides, said resistance elements being substantially equal in width and in length to each other, said resistance elements being arranged in an n-row by n-column matrix (where n stands for an integer larger than 1), said first and second electrodes of each of said resistance elements being respectively provided at or near said first and second sides thereof, said first sides of said resistance elements belonging to the same row being colinear with a straight line, said second sides of said resistance elements of the same row being colinear with a straight line, said third sides of said resistance elements belonging to the same column being colinear with a straight line, and said fourth sides of said resistance elements of the same column being colinear with a straight line, n numbers of first terminals respectively electrically connected with the fist electrodes of said resistance elements of the first row, n numbers of second terminals respectively electrically connected with the second electrodes of said resistance elements of the n-th row, and means .[.for.]. connecting the second electrodes of each of said resistance elements belonging to an adjacent row but belonging to a different column, thereby to form a series connection of n resistance elements belonging to different columns between each of said first terminals and each of said second terminals.