Overvoltage protection for a synchronous power rectifier

A method comprising:

• detecting a voltage level of a DC output from a rectifier that receives an AC input, the rectifier comprising at least one high-side element and at least one low-side switch that are configured to rectify the AC input to the DC output, wherein:
• the at least one low-side switch is arranged in series between the AC input and a ground terminal of the rectifier,
• the at least one high-side element is coupled, at the AC input, to the at least one low-side switch, and
• the at least one high-side element is arranged in series between the DC output and the AC input;
• determining, by a control unit, whether the voltage level indicates an overvoltage condition at the rectifier;
• controlling, by the control unit, the at least one low-side switch of the rectifier to rectify the AC input to the DC output if the voltage level of the DC output does not indicate the overvoltage condition;
• and
• controlling, by the control unit, the at least one low-side switch of the rectifier to shunt, current, from the AC input, through the at least one low-side switch, and to the ground terminal, if the voltage level of the DC output does indicate the overvoltage condition.

A circuit comprising:

• means for detecting a voltage level of a DC output from a rectifier that receives an AC input, the rectifier comprising at least one high-side element and at least one low-side switch that are configured to rectify the AC input to the DC output, wherein:
• the at least one low-side switch is arranged in series between the AC input and a ground terminal of the rectifier,
• the at least one high-side element is coupled, at the AC input, to the at least one low-side switch, and
• the at least one high-side element is arranged in series between the DC output and the AC input;
• means for determining whether the voltage level indicates an overvoltage condition at the rectifier;
• means for controlling the at least one low-side switch of the rectifier to rectify the AC input to the DC output if the voltage level of the DC output does not indicate the overvoltage condition;
• and
• means for controlling the at least one low-side switch of the rectifier to shunt current, from the AC input, through the at least one low-side switch, and to the ground terminal, if the voltage level of the DC output does indicate the overvoltage condition.