Patent ID: 6895521
Filing Date: 2005-05-17
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A modem, comprising: communication circuitry operable to facilitate communication over a communication link; at least one capacitor operable to store a voltage when a power supply is supplying at least a threshold voltage to the modem; at least one diode coupled between the power supply and the at least one capacitor, the diode operable to operate in a forward bias state while the power supply is supplying at least the threshold voltage; a power loss sensor coupled in parallel with the diode and in series with the communication circuitry, the power loss sensor operable to detect a reverse bias state of the diode and to signal the communication circuitry to communicate a power loss signal over the communication link, the reverse bias state of the diode indicating that the power supply has failed to supply the at least the threshold voltage to the modem; a power supply circuit coupled in series with the at least one diode, the power supply circuit operable to receive at least a portion of the threshold voltage from the power supply and to supply a voltage signal to the communication circuitry; and a power monitor coupled in series with the power supply circuit and in series with the communication circuitry, the power monitor operable to generate a reset signal when the voltage signal supplied by the power supply circuit to the communication circuitry falls outside an acceptable voltage range.