An antifuse device (120) that includes a bias element (124) and an
programmable antifuse element (128) arranged in series with one another
so as to form a voltage divider having an output node (F) located between
the bias and antifuse elements. When the antifuse device is in its
unprogrammed state, each of the bias element and antifuse element is
non-conductive. When the antifuse device is in its programmed state, the
bias element remains non-conductive, but the antifuse element is
conductive. The difference in the resistance of the antifuse element
between its unprogrammed state and programmed state causes the difference
in voltages seen at the output node to be on the order of hundreds of
mili-volts when a voltage of 1 V is applied across the antifuse device.
This voltage difference is so high that it can be readily sensed using a
simple sensing circuit (228).