Shared protection scheme for multiple variable batteries
AssigneeMicrosemi Semiconductor (U.S.) Inc.
InventorsQiangsheng Charssen Ge, Elizabeth Ellen Perry, David Paul Chabinec
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Abstract
A device includes a plurality of subscriber line interface circuits and a shared protection device. Each subscriber line interface circuit has a voltage input terminal and first and second interface line terminals. The shared protection device is coupled to the interface line terminals and operable to sense a negative reference voltage representing a most negative one of the voltages present on the voltage input terminals and to provide overvoltage protection responsive to a voltage on at least one of the interface line terminals exceeding the negative reference voltage.
Claims20
A device, comprising:
- a plurality of subscriber line interface circuits each having a voltage input terminal and first and second interface line terminals;
- and
- a shared protection device coupled to the interface line terminals and operable to sense a negative reference voltage representing a most negative one of the voltages present on the voltage input terminals and to provide overvoltage protection responsive to a voltage on at least one of the interface line terminals exceeding the negative reference voltage.
A protection circuit, comprising:
- a plurality of voltage input terminals and a plurality of interface line terminals;
- and
- a shared protection device coupled to the interface line terminals and operable to sense a negative reference voltage representing a most negative one of the voltages present on the voltage input terminals and to provide overvoltage protection responsive to a voltage on at least one of the interface line terminals exceeding the negative reference voltage.
A method for protecting a device including a plurality of subscriber line interface circuits each having a voltage input terminal and first and second interface line terminals, comprising:
- dynamically sensing a negative reference voltage representing a most negative one of the voltages present on the voltage input terminals;
- and
- grounding the interface line terminals responsive to a voltage on at least one of the interface line terminals exceeding the negative reference voltage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.