Patent ID: 8373244

Claim:
A semiconductor device, comprising: a semiconductor layer formed above a substrate; a first circuit element formed in said semiconductor layer, said first circuit element comprising a contact region and being adapted to receive a temperature-dependent signal; an interlayer dielectric material formed above said first circuit element; a contact element formed in said interlayer dielectric material and connecting to said contact region of said first circuit element; a first conductive line positioned in a first trench formed in said interlayer dielectric material; a second conductive line positioned in a second trench formed in said interlayer dielectric material; and a temperature-sensitive element formed in said interlayer dielectric material and configured to provide a temperature-dependent signal, said temperature-sensitive element comprising an interface portion positioned proximate to a second circuit element, wherein said interface portion comprises a contact interface between a portion of said first conductive line and a portion of said second conductive line and being is adapted to enable determination of a local temperature caused by said second circuit element during operation.