US 2009/0213510 A1 · METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING AND RECOVERING FROM EXTERNAL ELECTRICAL DISTURBANCES

Abstract

Apparatus and method are described, illustratively in an LVLS master/slave system, for detecting a circuit failure, shutting down the system as if a normal power down function has occurred, but restarting the system. Signals, including power and ground lines are monitors, mal-functions detected and the apparatus put into a power down sequence. Illustratively in the LVLS system, driving a signal line to either the power or ground rails is used as a signal to the apparatus to enter the power down sequence. The present invention, after a programmable time, then drives the signal line to the opposite rail thereby signaling the system to restart—a wake up mode. After a programmable time, the signal line is released and the system resumes normal operation.

Claims7

Dependent claims

Apparatus for detecting and recovering from external electrical disturbances, the apparatus comprising:

a detector monitoring a signal line, power rail or ground;
wherein when an electrical disturbance occurs the detector outputs an event detect signal;
in response to the an event detect signal, a driver forces the signal line to a first voltage,
a first programmable time that the first voltage on the signal line is maintained;
after the programmable time, the driver forces the signal line to a second voltage,
a second programmable time that the second voltage on the signal line is maintained, after the second programmable time, the signal line is released wherein the first voltage indicates a power down mode, the second voltage level indicates a wake up mode and the release of the signal line allows the apparatus to return to normal operation.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for detecting and recovering from external electrical disturbances

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for detecting and recovering from external electrical disturbances

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims7