Communication interface with automatic adaptation of the level of the input signal

Abstract

A communication interface comprises an input terminal (Rx) for receiving a logic signal from a remote interface (IF2); a logic level discriminator (12) coupled to the input terminal; a peak detector (14) connected to store the peak value of the signal at the input terminal; and a voltage follower (16) connected to the discriminator for providing an auxiliary supply voltage (Vdd2′) based on the value provided by the peak detector. An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device is further provided, including a first diode (D1) and an RC-circuit forming the peak detector, connected in series between the input terminal (Rx) and a first power supply line (Vss1); a transistor (MN1) connected between the first power supply line (Vss1) and the input terminal (Rx) through the first diode (D1) or a second diode (D1′); and inverter (42) configured to turn on the transistor when the voltage across the capacitor of the RC-circuit is less than a threshold.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.