Method and apparatus for controlling a communication signal by monitoring one or more voltage sources

A method for controlling a communication signal, the method comprising:

• generating a power status signal based on a detected voltage level for each of at least one I/O voltage source;
• generating a controller logic output control signal with communication controller logic responsive to the power status signal, the communication controller logic comprised by I/O voltage supply power ramp controlled communication buffer logic powered by the at least one I/O voltage source;
• and
• generating an outgoing communication signal in response to the controller logic output control signal, wherein the outgoing communication signal is:
• a predetermined outgoing communication signal when the detected voltage level for each of the at least one I/O voltage source is below a corresponding predetermined voltage level;
• and
• based on at least one core logic output signal when the detected voltage level for each of the at least one I/O voltage source is greater than or equal to the corresponding predetermined voltage level;
• and
• transmitting the outgoing communication signal to an integrated circuit.

An integrated circuit for controlling an outgoing communication signal, the integrated circuit comprising:

• I/O voltage supply power ramp sensor logic operatively coupled to at least one I/O voltage source and operative to detect a voltage level for each of the at least one I/O voltage source;
• communication controller logic powered by the at least one I/O voltage source and operatively coupled to the I/O voltage supply power ramp sensor logic, wherein the communication controller logic is operative to generate at least one controller logic output control signal in response to the detected voltage level for each of the at least one I/O voltage source;
• and
• I/O voltage supply power ramp controlled transmitter logic operatively coupled to the communication controller logic, wherein the I/O voltage supply power ramp controlled transmitter logic is operative to generate an outgoing communication signal based on the at least one controller logic output control signal;
• wherein the outgoing communication signal is:
• a predetermined outgoing communication signal when the detected voltage level for each of the at least one I/O voltage source is below a corresponding predetermined voltage level;
• and based on at least one core logic output signal when the detected voltage level for each of the at least one I/O voltage source is greater than or equal to the corresponding predetermined voltage level.

An integrated circuit capable of controlling a communication signal, the integrated circuit comprising:

• I/O voltage supply power ramp controlled communication buffer logic powered by at least one I/O voltage source, the I/O voltage supply power ramp controlled communication buffer logic including a communication controller logic operatively coupled to I/O voltage supply power ramp sensor logic and operative to generate a controller logic output control signal in response to a detected voltage level for each of the at least one I/O voltage source, wherein the I/O voltage supply power ramp controlled communication buffer logic is operative to receive an incoming communication signal and to generate a core logic input signal in response to the controller logic output control signal;
• and
• wherein the core logic input signal is:
• a predetermined core logic input signal when the detected voltage level for each of the at least one I/O voltage source is below a corresponding predetermined voltage level;
• and
• based on the incoming communication signal when the detected voltage level for each of the at least one I/O voltage source is greater than or equal to the corresponding predetermined voltage level.