Patent ID: 8294473

Claim:
A line driver circuit comprising: a peak detector circuit that is arranged to monitor one or more outputs of the line driver circuit, wherein the peak detector circuit is arranged to assert a peak detection signal when signals on a transmission line exceed a threshold level; and a fault detection circuit that is arranged to monitor the peak detection signal, wherein the fault detection circuit is arranged to assert a fault condition indicating the transmission line is not properly terminated when the peak detection signal is asserted for a first length of time, and wherein the fault detection circuit is arranged to maintain the fault condition until a second length of time has expired without the peak detection signal being asserted, wherein the peak detector circuit comprises: a capacitor circuit that is coupled to an input terminal of the peak detector circuit a first follower circuit that includes an input terminal that is coupled to the capacitor circuit and an output terminal; a reference voltage source; a second follower circuit that includes an input terminal that is coupled to the reference voltage source and an output terminal; and a comparator circuit that includes a first input terminal that is coupled to the output terminal of the first follower circuit, a second input terminal that is coupled to the output terminal of the second follower circuit, and an output terminal that is coupled to an output terminal of the peak detector circuit.