Safety crowbar for voltage converters

A method comprising:

• determining, by a first voltage converter configured to convert a first voltage to a second voltage, whether the first voltage converter is operating in an unsafe state;
• in response to determining that the first voltage converter is operating in the unsafe state, outputting, by the first voltage converter to a second voltage converter configured to convert the second voltage to a third voltage, an indication that the first voltage converter is operating in the unsafe state;
• and
• in response to the second voltage converter receiving the indication that the first voltage converter is operating in the unsafe state, establishing, by a high side switch and a low side switch of the second voltage converter, an electrical path between the first voltage and a reference node.

A system comprising:

• a first voltage converter configured to:
• convert a first voltage to a second voltage;
• determine whether the first voltage converter is operating in an unsafe state;
• and
• in response to determining that the first voltage converter is operating in the unsafe state, output an indication that the first voltage converter is operating in the unsafe state;
• and
• a second voltage converter configured to:
• receive the second voltage and the indication that the first voltage converter is operating in the unsafe state from the first voltage converter;
• selectively activate a set of high side switches and a set of low side switches to convert the second voltage to a set of voltages;
• and
• in response to receiving the indication that the first voltage converter is operating in the unsafe state:
• refrain from selectively activating the set of high side switches and the set of low side switches to convert the second voltage to the set of voltages;
• and
• activate the set of high side switches and the set of low side switches to establish an electrical path between the second voltage and a reference node of the circuit.