Bi-directional voltage translator

A bi-directional voltage translator, comprising:

• a first port to communicate a first signal at a first voltage level;
• a second port to communicate a second signal at a second voltage level different from the first voltage level;
• a bipolar junction transistor device having a base, an emitter, and a collector, the emitter being coupled to one of the first port and the second port, the collector being coupled to another of the first port and the second port, wherein the bipolar junction transistor device is responsive to the first signal at the first voltage level to generate the second signal at the first voltage level, and is responsive to the second signal at the second voltage level to generate the first signal at the first voltage level;
• and
• a Schottky diode having an anode coupled to the second port and a cathode coupled to the first port, wherein the first voltage level is higher than the second voltage level.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a first electronic device;
• an electrical interface, integral to the first electronic device, for detachably coupling a second electronic device, the electrical interface including a bidirectional voltage translator comprising:
• a first port to communicate a first signal at a first voltage level;
• a second port to communicate a second signal at a second voltage level lower than the first voltage level;
• a Schottky diode having an anode coupled to the second port and a cathode coupled to the first port;
• and
• a bipolar junction transistor device having a base, an emitter, and a collector, the emitter being coupled to one of the first port and the second port, the collector being coupled to another of the first port and the second port, wherein the bipolar junction transistor device is responsive to the first signal at the first voltage level to generate the second signal at the first voltage level, and is responsive to the second signal at the second voltage level to generate the first signal at the first voltage level.