Patent ID: 6452283
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A semiconductor chip having a protective sensor for prohibiting proper circuit operation if a protective layer has been tampered with, the semiconductor chip comprising:a semiconductor substrate having at least one layer and having a plurality of circuits configured in at least one group, said plurality of said circuits disposed in said at least one layer; at least one conductive protective layer configured above said at least one group and electrically connected to at least one of said plurality of circuits; at least one protective sensor formed for storing a state in a nonvolatile manner, said protective sensor having a detection connection connected to said at least one conductive protective layer, said protective sensor having an output connection connected to at least one of said plurality of said circuits such that said at least one of said plurality of said circuits cannot operate properly if the stored state is a defined, nonvolatile level and is provided at said output of said at least one protective sensor.