Patent ID: 7250659

Claim:
A semiconductor component comprising: a semiconductor chip including an electronic circuit configured in said semiconductor chip, said electronic circuit having a terminal for a signal to be processed, a stage connected to said terminal for the signal, a terminal for obtaining a supply potential, said terminal for obtaining the supply potential being connected to said stage, said stage being selected from a group consisting of an input stage and an output stage; a first conductor track running outside said semiconductor chip, said first conductor track being connected to said terminal for the signal; a second conductor track running outside said semiconductor chip, said second conductor track being connected to said terminal for obtaining the supply potential; a further conductor track running outside said semiconductor chip, said further conductor track being connected to said second conductor track, said further conductor track entirely surrounding said semiconductor chip, said further conductor track crossing said first conductor track, defining a crossing location, and said further conductor track crossing said second conductor track; and an electrostatic discharge protection element for carrying an electrostatic discharge away from said terminal for the signal and to the supply potential, said electrostatic discharge protection element being disposed outside of said semiconductor chip, said electrostatic discharge protection element being connected outside of said semiconductor chip between said further conductor track and said first conductor track, said electrostatic discharge protection element being disposed close to said crossing location.