Patent ID: 7763974

Claim:
An integrated circuit having a plurality of circuit elements integrated therein, for driving of a semiconductor device that comprises at least first and second semiconductor elements connected in series, wherein: said plurality of circuit elements includes drive power supply circuit elements for supplying drive power to said semiconductor device; said drive power supply circuit elements are formed in at least one first semiconductor chip; other circuit elements of said integrated circuit are formed in at least one second semiconductor chip that is separate from said at least one first semiconductor chip; said plurality of circuit elements comprises a high-voltage side circuit for driving said first semiconductor element, and a low-voltage side circuit for driving the second semiconductor element; and at least the drive power supply circuit elements of said high-voltage side circuit and the drive power supply circuit elements of said low-voltage side circuit are formed in respective semiconductor chips that are separate from semiconductor chips in which other circuit elements of said high-voltage side circuit and other elements of said low-voltage side circuit are formed.