Patent ID: 8438419
Filing Date: 2013-05-07
Classification: H01L,H04L

Abstract:
1. A master module for a differential communication bus, the bus comprising at least first and second conductors whereby to communicate between the master module and a plurality of slave modules connected to the conductors of the bus, the master module comprising: a driver for applying first and second voltages respectively to said first and second conductors and for sourcing and sinking currents in said first and second conductors, said driver controlling a difference between said first and second voltages and a common mode value of said first and second voltages, said driver including first sourcing and sinking current limiters and second sourcing and sinking current limiters for limiting said currents in said first and second conductors respectively; wherein said master module is selectively responsive to a fault condition triggering simultaneous activation of said first and second sourcing current limiters or of said first and second sinking current limiters to generate a specific fault signal.