Power supply and data signal interface circuit with overvoltage protection

• US 8,689,033 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2011
• Issued: 04/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NXP USA, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Original Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Inventors: Sharma, Parul K., Srivastava, Amit K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rahman, Fahmida
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mazyad, Alyaa T
• Application Number:
  US13/191,459
• Publication Number:
  US 20130031398A1
• Time in Patent Office: 979 Days
• Field of Search: 713/340, 361/90, 361/91.1, 361/91.2
• US Class Current: 713/340
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/1252 responsive to overvoltage in input or output, e.g. by load dump
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 9/046 responsive to excess voltage appearing at terminals of integrated circuits protection by specific structural integration design H01L27/0248

Abstract

A data processing device with a power supply and data signal interface circuit has a switch for connecting an external line and an internal node. The power supply and data signal interface circuit also includes a controller for applying an enabling voltage to the switch enabling the switch to supply current between the external line and the internal node in the presence of power supply to the controller and in the absence of the overvoltage condition on the external line. The power supply and data signal interface circuit also includes a voltage reduction connection from the external line for applying a control voltage to the switch in the absence of power supply to the controller. The control voltage from the voltage reduction connection limits a voltage applied to the internal node through the switch in the presence of the overvoltage condition.

Claims

1. A data processing device comprising an internal node, and a power supply and data signal interface for connection to an external line for conducting power and data signals between the data processing device and an external element, said power supply and data signal interface comprising:

a switch having a current conduction path for connecting said external line and said internal node, and a control terminal for controlling said current conduction path, said switch being capable of withstanding an overvoltage condition on said external line;

a controller for applying an enabling voltage to said control terminal, said enabling voltage enabling said current conduction path to supply current between said external line and said internal node in the presence of power supply to said controller and in the absence of said overvoltage condition on said external line; and

a voltage reduction connection from said external line for applying a control voltage to said control terminal, said control voltage enabling said current conduction path to supply current between said external line and said internal node in the absence of power supply to said controller, said control voltage limiting a voltage applied to said internal node through said current conduction path in the presence of said overvoltage condition.

2. The data processing device of claim 1, wherein said voltage reduction connection comprises a voltage divider for connection to said external line.

3. The data processing device of claim 1, wherein said voltage reduction connection includes at least one diode for preventing a voltage at said control terminal from being applied through said voltage reduction connection to said external line.

4. The data processing device of claim 1, wherein said power supply and data signal interface comprises a voltage limiter for limiting a voltage applied to said control terminal in the presence of inrush current from said voltage reduction connection.

5. The data processing device of claim 1, wherein said power supply and data signal interface comprises a voltage limiter for limiting said voltage applied to said internal node in the presence of inrush current through said current conduction path from said external line.

6. The data processing device of claim 1, further comprising an internal power source for supplying power to said internal node, wherein said internal power source is rechargeable through said external line and said current conduction path.

7. The data processing device of claim 1, wherein said controller normally is supplied with power from said internal node.

8. The data processing device of claim 1, wherein said device complies with a Universal Serial Bus standard.

9. The data processing device of claim 1, wherein said device complies with a Universal Serial Bus On The Go standard.

10. A data processing device comprising an internal node, and a power supply and data signal interface for connection to an external line for conducting power and data signals between the data processing device and an external element, said power supply and data signal interface comprising:

a switch having a current conduction path for connecting said external line and said internal node, and a control terminal for controlling said current conduction path, said switch being capable of withstanding an overvoltage condition on said external line;

a controller for applying an enabling voltage to said control terminal, said enabling voltage enabling said current conduction path to supply current between said external line and said internal node in the presence of power supply to said controller and in the absence of said overvoltage condition on said external line;

a voltage reduction connection from said external line for applying a control voltage to said control terminal, said control voltage enabling said current conduction path to supply current between said external line and said internal node in the absence of power supply to said controller, said control voltage limiting a voltage applied to said internal node through said current conduction path in the presence of said overvoltage condition; and

an internal power source for supplying power to said internal node, wherein said internal power source is rechargeable through said external line and said current conduction path.

11. The data processing device of claim 10, wherein said voltage reduction connection comprises a voltage divider for connection to said external line.

12. The data processing device of claim 10, wherein said voltage reduction connection includes at least one diode for preventing a voltage at said control terminal from being applied through said voltage reduction connection to said external line.

13. The data processing device of claim 10, wherein said power supply and data signal interface comprises a voltage limiter for limiting a voltage applied to said control terminal in the presence of inrush current from said voltage reduction connection.

14. The data processing device of claim 10, wherein said power supply and data signal interface comprises a voltage limiter for limiting said voltage applied to said internal node in the presence of inrush current through said current conduction path from said external line.

15. A data processing device comprising an internal node, and a power supply and data signal interface for connection to an external line for conducting power and data signals between the data processing device and an external element, said power supply and data signal interface comprising:

a switch having a current conduction path for connecting said external line and said internal node, and a control terminal for controlling said current conduction path, said switch being capable of withstanding an overvoltage condition on said external line;

a controller for applying an enabling voltage to said control terminal, said enabling voltage enabling said current conduction path to supply current between said external line and said internal node in the presence of power supply to said controller and in the absence of said overvoltage condition on said external line;

a voltage reduction connection from said external line for applying a control voltage to said control terminal, said control voltage enabling said current conduction path to supply current between said external line and said internal node in the absence of power supply to said controller, said control voltage limiting a voltage applied to said internal node through said current conduction path in the presence of said overvoltage condition, wherein said voltage reduction connection includes at least one diode for preventing a voltage at said control terminal from being applied through said voltage reduction connection to said external line; and

an internal power source for supplying power to said internal node, wherein said internal power source is rechargeable through said external line and said current conduction path.