Integrated circuit functional at and capable of withstanding a maximum voltage greater than a rated voltage, and corresponding method

An integrated circuit, comprising:

• a terminal configured to receive a signal at a voltage level that is capable of increasing to a maximum voltage level;
• an output circuit including a first transistor and a second transistor coupled in series between the terminal and an output stage;
• and
• a protection circuit configured to generate a first voltage that controls the first transistor and a second voltage that controls the second transistor, wherein:
• in an activated state, the first voltage and the second voltage are both generated by dividing the voltage level of the signal;
• in a deactivated state, the first voltage is generated to be the same as the voltage level of the terminal and the second voltage is generated to be a level of a control voltage minus a threshold voltage of a protection transistor;
• and
• the protection circuit includes a resistive voltage divider bridge including the protection transistor coupled in series between a first resistive element and a second resistive element, and wherein the protection transistor is configured to be controlled by the control voltage at a gate of the protection transistor.

A system-on-chip, comprising:

• an input-output device of a terminal of a USB-C port;
• and
• an integrated circuit including:
• a terminal configured to receive a signal at a voltage level that is capable of increasing to a maximum voltage level;
• an output circuit including a first transistor and a second transistor coupled in series between the terminal and an output stage;
• and
• a protection circuit configured to generate a first voltage that controls the first transistor and a second voltage that controls the second transistor, wherein:
• in an activated state, the first voltage and the second voltage are both generated by dividing the voltage level of the signal;
• and
• in a deactivated state, the first voltage is generated to be the same as the voltage level of the terminal and the second voltage is generated to be a level of a control voltage minus a threshold voltage of a protection transistor, and the protection circuit and the output circuit are unable to pass a current between the terminal and a ground terminal.