Integrated power supply scheme for powering memory card host interface

Abstract

This invention is an SOC with an integrated single rail power supply that interfaces with the host controller and dynamically changes the host interface supply to 3.3 volts or 1.8 volts based on the sensed card speed grade. The SOC initially selects 3.3 volts to supply to the memory card. The SOC communicates with memory card vis input/output circuits to determine a memory type. The controller selects a 3.3 volt or 1.8 volt supply for the memory card based upon the determination. The SOC powers the input/output circuits at the same supply voltage as the memory card. This invention employs 1.8 volt transistors in the input/output circuits using a bias voltage to protect these transistor from the full 3.3 volt power when the memory card is powered to 3.3 volts.