Patent ID: 7419838

Claim:
A method for one-way coupling an input signal to an integrated circuit on a semiconductor chip with the integrated circuit electrically isolated from the input signal, the method comprising the acts of: fabricating an inductor coil on the semiconductor chip for receiving the input signal and for generating a magnetic field in response to the input signal, the inductor coil having at least one turn and defining a central axis, fabricating a MAGFET on the semiconductor chip, the MAGFET having a split drain defining a pair of drain portions wherein the current difference between the drain currents of the respective drain portions of the split drain is a function of the magnetic field to which the MAGFET is subjected, the MAGFET being located on the semiconductor chip relative to the inductor coil to form with the inductor coil a one-way isolation coupler, so that the current difference between the drain currents of the respective drain portions of the split drain is responsive to the magnetic field generated by the inductor coil in response to the input signal for providing an output signal to the integrated circuit in response to the input signal, and electrically isolating the MAGFET from the inductor coil so that the output signal is electrically isolated from the input signal.