Abstract: A semiconductor chip having circuits which are produced in at least one layer of a semiconductor substrate and are arranged in at least one group. The semiconductor chip has at least one conductive protective layer which is arranged above at least one such circuit group and is electrically connected to at least one of the circuits. The substrate has at least one protective sensor, and the detection connection(s) of the protective sensor/protective sensors is/are connected to the conductive protective layer or to at least one of the conductive protective layers. Output connections of the protective sensor/protective sensors are connected to at least one of the circuits such that the circuit(s) cannot operate properly if there is a defined, nonvolatile level at the output of the protective sensor(s).

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a transformer that is at least partially formed on a substrate. The transformer is for electrical isolation and signal filtering. The transformer includes the following elements. A portion of the substrate has two holes through the substrate. A ferrite core is formed in a loop through the two holes. A primary winding is made of a first metal trace. The first metal trace is formed in a spiral around one hole. The first metal trace has at least two primary terminals acting as an input to the transformer. The transformer also includes a secondary winding. The secondary winding is made of a second metal trace. The second metal trace is formed in a spiral around the other hole. The second metal trace has at least two secondary terminals acting as an output from the transformer.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a transformer that is at least partially formed on a substrate. The transformer is for electrical isolation and signal filtering. The transformer includes the following elements. A portion of the substrate has two holes through the substrate. A ferrite core is formed in a loop through the two holes. A primary winding is made of a first metal trace. The first metal trace is formed in a spiral around one hole. The first metal trace has at least two primary terminals acting as an input to the transformer. The transformer also includes a secondary winding. The secondary winding is made of a second metal trace. The second metal trace is formed in a spiral around the other hole. The second metal trace has at least two secondary terminals acting as an output from the transformer.