Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

Soma Ur

Carlos Jesus Briseno-Vidrios

András Vince Horváth

Viktor Zsolczai

A method for establishing a powered link over a transmission line includes providing a constant, predetermined current to a terminal thereby causing a power transistor coupled to the terminal to conduct in a subthreshold region of transistor operation without current flowing between a drain terminal of the power transistor and a source terminal of the power transistor. The method includes estimating a size of the power transistor using a digital time signal indicative of an amount of time the constant, predetermined current is provided before a voltage level on the terminal exceeds a predetermined voltage level. In an embodiment, the predetermined voltage level is less than a threshold voltage of the power transistor.

Power transistor detection with self-protection

A method for establishing a powered link over a transmission line includes enabling a current source to provide a constant, predetermined current to a terminal. The method includes sensing a voltage on the terminal to generate a sensed voltage level. The method includes comparing the sensed voltage level on the terminal to a predetermined voltage level. The method includes disabling the current source in response to the sensed voltage level equaling or exceeding the predetermined voltage level. The method may include, while the current source is enabled, a power transistor coupled to the terminal is disabled and only conducts current in a subthreshold region of transistor operation.

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Telki, Hungary

Soma Ur