Power supply for electronic devices

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to power supply for electronic devices. In one embodiment, an electronic device includes a first near-field communication module, at least one second communication module, at least a portion of a volatile memory, at least one register, and at least one first circuit configured to activate the near-field communication module, wherein the at least one second communication module is configured to supply power to at least a portion of the volatile memory, the at least one register, and the at least one first circuit with a first power voltage when the electronic device is in an on state and when the first near-field communication module is in a standby mode.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of French Application No. 2106785, filed on Jun. 24, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to electronic systems and devices and to powering such systems and devices. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to electronic devices suitable for near-field communication (NFC). Background Art

[0004] Today, wireless communication is increasingly used for various applications such as information exchange, bank payments, energy exchange, etc. There are various types of wireless communication, for example, near-field communication (NFC), communication using high frequencies over longer distances (such as Bluetooth communication), etc. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Embodiments improve at least in part certain aspects of known devices related to near-field communication technology.

[0006] Embodiments provide a device suitable for near-field communication technology that consumes less power.

[0007] One embodiment addresses all or some of the drawbacks of known devices suitable for near-field communication technology.

[0008] One embodiment provides a device suitable for near-field communication technology that consumes less power.

[0009] One embodiment provides an electronic device comprising:

[0010] - a first near-field communication module;

[0011] - at least a second communication module;

[0012] - at least a portion of a volatile memory;

[0013] - at least one register; and

[0014] - at least a first circuit adapted to activate the near-field communication module, wherein when the electronic device is in an on state and when the near-field communication device is in a standby mode, a first power voltage of at least one second communication module of the device powers at least a portion of the volatile memory, at least one register, and at least one first circuit.

[0015] Another embodiment provides a method for powering an electronic device comprising:

[0016] - a first near-field communication module;

[0017] - at least one second communication module;

[0018] - at least a portion of a volatile memory;

[0019] - at least one register; and

[0020] - at least a first circuit adapted to activate a near - field communication module, wherein when the electronic device is in an on state and when the near - field communication device is in a standby mode, a first power voltage of at least one second communication module of the device powers at least a portion of the volatile memory, at least one register, and at least a first circuit.

[0021] According to one embodiment, at least a first circuit includes an internal communication bus of the device and / or a state machine adapted to detect a state of the first module.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the device includes a power circuit having a battery, at least a first voltage regulator, and at least one node that transmits the first power voltage to at least one second communication module of the device.

[0023] According to one embodiment, when the electronic device is in an on state and when the first near - field communication module is active, the first voltage regulator powers all circuits of the device to which the first module is adapted to communicate, and the first voltage regulator is adapted to provide a second power voltage equal to the first power voltage from a third power voltage provided by the battery.

[0024] According to one embodiment, when the device is in an off state and when the near - field communication module is active, the first voltage regulator powers all circuits of the device to which the first module is adapted to communicate.

[0025] According to one embodiment, when the first near - field communication module is inactive, the power module does not power any circuit of the device to which the first module is adapted to communicate.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the first power voltage is between 1 and 1.5V.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the power circuit of the device further includes a second voltage regulator adapted to provide a fourth power voltage equal to the first power voltage from a third power voltage provided by the battery.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the first voltage regulator provides a first current that is at least ten times the second current provided by the second voltage regulator.

[0029] According to one embodiment, when the device is in the off state and when the first near-field communication module is in the standby mode, all the circuits in the device suitable for communication with the first module are powered by the second voltage regulator. Description of the Drawings

[0030] The above and other features and advantages will be described in detail in the following description of specific embodiments given by way of illustration and not limitation in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] Figure 1 An example of near-field communication is shown in a very schematic way and in block diagram form;

[0032] Figure 2 An embodiment of a device suitable for near-field communication technology is shown in a very schematic way and in block diagram form;

[0033] Figure 3 Part of an embodiment is shown schematically and in more detail in block diagram form Figure 2 of;

[0034] Figure 4 Part of is shown in block diagram form Figure 2 an electrical diagram of an embodiment of the power supply module of the device; and

[0035] Figure 5 Part of is shown in block diagram form Figure 2 an electrical diagram of another embodiment of the power supply module of the device. Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0036] Similar features are denoted by similar reference numerals in the various figures. In particular, structural and / or functional features common to the various embodiments may have the same reference numerals and may have the same structure, dimensions, and material properties.

[0037] For clarity, only the operations and elements useful for understanding the embodiments described herein are described in detail. In particular, the near-field communication (NFC) protocol and technology will not be described in detail hereinafter.

[0038] Unless otherwise indicated, when referring to two elements connected together, this means a direct connection without any intermediate element other than a conductor, and when referring to two elements coupled together, this means that the two elements may be connected or may be coupled via one or more other elements.

[0039] In the following disclosure, unless otherwise specified, when referring to absolute position determiners (such as the terms "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", etc.) or relative position determiners (such as the terms "above", "below", "higher", "lower", etc.) or direction determiners (such as "horizontal", "vertical", etc.), the orientation shown in the figure is referred to.

[0040] Unless otherwise specified, the expressions "about", "approximately", "substantially", and "circa" mean within 10%, preferably within 5%.

[0041] Figure 1 Schematically represents wireless communication, and more specifically represents near-field communication between the electronic device 1 (TERM) and 2 (CARD).

[0042] Near-field communication (NFC) technology allows short-distance high-frequency communication. Such a system uses a radio frequency electromagnetic field emitted by a device (terminal or reader) to communicate with another device (transponder or card).

[0043] In recent systems, the same device can operate in card mode or reader mode (for example, in the case of near-field communication between two mobile phones). Then, the devices are usually powered by batteries, and their functions and circuits are in standby mode so as not to consume power between usage periods. When these devices are within range of each other, they must be "awakened".

[0044] Assume the case of two electronic devices 1 and 2, where for example, device 1 is a terminal or reader and device 2 is a transponder, but all that will be described applies more generally to any system in which the transponder picks up the electromagnetic field radiated by the reader or terminal.

[0045] According to the present application, for communication, one of the devices operates in a so-called reader mode, while the other device operates in a so-called card mode, or the two devices communicate in a peer-to-peer (P2P) mode. Each device includes various electronic circuits 11 (NFC) and 12 (NFC), or NFC modules 11 and 12, for generating radio frequency signals transmitted by the antennas of the oscillator / resonator circuits. The radio frequency field generated by one of the devices 1 or 2 is picked up by the other device 2 or 1 within range and which also includes an antenna. In some applications, when the devices are not communicating, they switch to a standby state to reduce power consumption. This is especially true for battery-powered devices. When the first device 1 emits an electromagnetic field to initiate communication with the second device 2, the second device 2 picks up the field as soon as it is within range. The field is detected by the circuit 12 of the second device 2, and if in the standby state, the circuit 12 is reactivated. This results in a change in the load constituted by the circuit of the second device 2 on the resonator circuit generating the field of the first device. In practice, the first device 1 detects the corresponding change in the phase or amplitude of the transmitted field, and the first device 1 then initiates the NFC communication protocol with the second device 2. On the side of the first device 1, in practice, it is detected whether the amplitude of the voltage at the terminals of the resonator circuit 12 drops below a threshold, or whether the voltage at the terminals of the resonator circuit has a phase shift greater than the threshold. Once the first device 1 detects the presence of the second device 2 in its field, it sends a communication establishment process to enable the transmission of the request of the first device 1 and the response of the second device 2.

[0046] During near field communication, devices 1 and 2 are within range of each other. More specifically, device 2 is positioned within the range of device 1 so that it can detect the electromagnetic field of device 1. As an example, device 2 is positioned at a distance typically less than 10 cm from terminal 1. According to another example, device 2 is in mechanical contact with terminal 1.

[0047] Device 1 can be, for example, a fixed or mobile terminal. It is device 1 that is responsible for initiating communication. As an example, terminal 1 is a payment terminal or a mobile phone.

[0048] Device 2 is typically a mobile transponder. According to a preferred embodiment, transponder 2 is a microcircuit card (or smart card), such as a bank card or a transportation card. Alternatively, transponder 2 can be a mobile phone or a connected object. Device 2 includes various electronic circuits adapted to implement various commands sent by device 1, such as authentication circuits, cryptographic circuits, etc. Specifically, these different circuits consume more or less power during the execution of the commands sent by device 1. Device 2 can include several different power modes in which some circuits are powered while others are not, and these different power modes will be described in more detail in conjunction with Figure 2 and Figure 3 be described in more detail.

[0049] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram that very schematically shows, in block diagram form, an example of the architecture of an embodiment of an electronic device 30 of the type of device 1 or device 2 described with respect to Figure 1 In other words, the electronic device 30 can be a transponder suitable for implementing wireless communication (e.g., near field communication (NFC)).

[0050] The electronic device 30 includes a processor 31 (CPU) that is suitable for implementing various processes on data stored in the memory and / or provided by other circuits of the device 30.

[0051] The electronic device 30 also includes different types of memories 32 (MEM), such as at least one volatile memory and at least one register, typically a number of registers. According to one example, the device 30 may also include a non-volatile memory and a read-only memory. Each memory is suitable for storing different types of data. More specifically, the registers are suitable for storing specific data, such as the status data of the device 30. The status data here refers to the data that notifies the status of the device 30 or those circuits and components.

[0052] The electronic device 30 also includes a power supply circuit 33 (ALIM). The circuit 33 controls the power supply to different circuits and components of the device 30. The circuit 33 includes, for example, a battery, means for recharging the battery, a voltage matching circuit (such as a voltage regulator), etc. An embodiment of one of the power supply circuits is described with respect to Figure 4 and Figure 5 is described.

[0053] The electronic device 30 also includes a circuit 34 (NFC) or a near field communication module 34 or an NFC module 34 suitable for implementing near field communication. The NFC module 34 includes, for example, an oscillation / resonance circuit, a data transmission and reception circuit, a data conversion circuit, etc.

[0054] The electronic device 30 also includes a circuit 35 (FCT) suitable for implementing different functions of the device 30. The circuit 35 is diverse and can include a measurement circuit, a data analysis circuit, a sensor, etc.

[0055] The electronic device 30 also includes an input and output (I / O) circuit 36 for the device 30. The circuit 36 includes connectors that allow the device 30 to transmit and receive data, a display device, etc.

[0056] As previously mentioned, the circuit 33 is suitable for controlling the voltage and current of the power supply to various circuits and components of the device 30. According to one embodiment, the circuit 33 includes at least one circuit particularly suitable for controlling different power modes of different circuits and components of the device 30. In fact, all or part of the circuits and components of the device 30 can have several different power modes, such as a full power mode and a low power mode.

[0057] These different power modes can be automatically implemented when the device 30 is in a specific configuration or a specific operating mode. The device 30 includes at least two operating modes. The device 30 can be in an on state or an off state. When the device 30 is in the on state, all its circuits and components can be used and can be powered by the power supply circuit 33. When the device 30 is in the off state, all its circuits and components are intended to be powered off, but some circuits and components (such as the NFC module 34) are powered on, for example, with less power to reduce power consumption. The operating mode of the device 30 can be selected by the user of the device 30.

[0058] In addition, the different power modes of certain circuits and components of the device 30 may affect the power modes or power supply of other circuits and components of the device 30. Specifically, and according to one embodiment, the NFC module 34 presents multiple power modes that affect the power modes and power supply of the circuits and components of the device 30.

[0059] The NFC module 34 includes at least three power modes: an active power mode, a standby power mode, and an inactive power mode. When the NFC module 34 is in the active power mode, in other words, when the NFC module 34 is active, the NFC module 34 is available at any time. All circuits and components within the NFC module 34 may be powered, and in this mode, the NFC module 34 may consume the most power. When the NFC module 34 is in the standby power mode, that is, when the NFC module is in the standby state, the NFC module 34 is expected to be able to provide services including fewer functions, so only a part of the circuits included in the NFC module 34 may be powered. In this mode, the NFC module 34 generally consumes less power than in the active power mode. When the NFC module 34 is in the inactive power mode or sleep mode, that is, when the NFC module 34 is inactive, only a minimum part of the circuits in the NFC module 34 may be powered. It is in this power mode that the NFC module 34 consumes the least amount of power.

[0060] In addition, like the device 30, the NFC module 34 presents multiple operating modes and can be in an on state or an off state. The operating mode of the NFC module 34 can be manually selected, for example, by the user of the device 30.

[0061] The different power modes of the NFC module 34 can be set in different usage configurations of the device 30. The active mode of the NFC module 34 can be achieved when the NFC module 34 is turned on, regardless of whether the device 30 is in the on state or the off state. The standby mode of the NFC module 34 can be achieved when the device 30 is in the on state and the NFC module 34 is in the on state. The inactive mode can be achieved when the NFC module 34 is in the off state, the device 30 is in the on state or the off state, or the NFC module 34 is in the on state but the device 30 is in the off state.

[0062] The implementation of the various circuit power modes affects the power supply to certain circuits and components of the device 30. This will be described in conjunction with Figure 3 more detail.

[0063] Figure 3 is a very schematic and block diagram form showing an example of the architecture of a part of the electronic device 30 described with respect to Figure 2 A block diagram of an example of the architecture of a part of the electronic device 30 described. Specifically, Figure 3 more specifically shows the NFC module 34 and its interaction with other circuits and components of the device 30.

[0064] The NFC module 34 is adapted to interact with various circuits and components of the device 30.

[0065] The NFC module 34 is powered by the power Pwr provided by the power supply circuit 33 (ALIM), and is adapted to provide at least the State_NFC status information to the power supply circuit 33 via, for example, Figure 3 a bus 37 not shown in the figure. More specifically, the NFC module 34 is adapted to notify the power supply circuit of the power mode in which it operates at a given time. Thus, the power supply circuit 33 is adapted to take into account the power mode of the NFC module 34 to supply power to other circuits and components of the device 30. A detailed embodiment of the circuit 33 is described in conjunction with Figure 4 and Figure 5 described.

[0066] The NFC module 34 is also adapted to interact with the circuits and components of the device 30 divided into two groups: the "always-on" group 38 (ALW ON) and the "optional" group 39 (SW DOM).

[0067] The "always-on" group 38 includes the circuits and components of the device 30 that are necessary for the minimum operation of the NFC module 34. The circuits and components of the group 38 are powered by the power Pwr provided by the circuit 33. According to one embodiment, the "always-on" group 38 includes at least:

[0068] - at least a part of the volatile memory 381 included in the memory 32 of the device 30.

[0069] - A plurality of registers 382, included in the memory 32 of the device 30 and adapted to store state variables of the device 30.

[0070] - A circuit 383 (WUP) adapted to activate the NFC module 34.

[0071] The circuit 383 includes, for example, an internal communication bus, such as the I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) bus, a state machine adapted to indicate that a wireless communication field has been detected or adapted to transmit the state of the wireless communication field.

[0072] The "optional" group 39 includes circuits and components of the device 30 that are used to provide normal operation of the NFC module 34 but are not required to provide minimum operation of the NFC module 34. The circuits and components of group 38 are powered by the power Pwr provided by the circuit 33. According to one embodiment, the "optional" group 39 includes at least:

[0073] - The processor 31 of the device 30;

[0074] - The communication bus 37 of the device 30; and

[0075] - The clock signal generation circuit 391 (CLK) of the device 30.

[0076] In fact, most (if not all) of the circuits and components of the device 30 are formed on a single board or a single substrate. The circuits and components in the "always-on" group 38 and the "optional" group 39 are isolated from each other by an isolation circuit 40 (INS). The isolation circuit 40 is powered, for example, by the power Pwr supplied by the circuit 33. According to a variant, the isolation circuit 40 does not need to be powered.

[0077] When the NFC module 34 is active, the circuits and components of the "always-on" group 38 and the "optional" group 39 are powered by the circuit 33 and receive the power Pwr. The device 30 can be in card mode in near field communication, but can also be in reader mode, for example.

[0078] When the NFC module 34 is in standby state, only the circuits and components of the "always-on" group 38 are powered by the circuit 33 and receive the power Pwr from them. The circuits and components of the "optional" group 40 are not powered and do not receive the power Pwr. The device 30 can only be in card mode in near field communication, for example, to access the latest state variables of the device 30, but cannot be in reader mode.

[0079] When the NFC module 34 is inactive, neither the circuits and components in the "always-on" group 38 nor the "optional" group 40 are powered and do not receive the power Pwr. The device 30 may not be in card mode or reader mode. According to one embodiment, the NFC module 34 of the device 30 can still detect the presence of a field, for example.

[0080] Figure 4 An electrical diagram in the form of a block diagram that is part of an embodiment of a power supply circuit 50, the power supply circuit 50 being part of the Figure 2 and Figure 3 power supply circuit 33 described. The power supply circuit 50 is adapted to supply power to the "normally open" group 38 and the "optional" group 39 described in connection with Figure 3 the description.

[0081] For ease of description, the power supply circuit 50 is shown as being coupled to the "normally open" group 38 and the "optional" group 39, which are in turn coupled to the isolation circuit 40. The groups 38 and 39 and the isolation circuit 40 are not part of the circuit 50.

[0082] The power supply circuit 50 includes two output nodes OUT1 and OUT2. Node OUT1 allows power to be supplied to the circuits and components in the "normally open" group 38, and node OUT2 supplies power to the circuits and components in the "optional" group 39. Both node OUT1 and OUT2 supply the same power supply voltage VPS (referenced to a reference potential, such as ground) to the "normally open" group 38 and the "optional" group 39, which is not shown in Figure 4 . According to an example of the embodiment, the voltage VPS is between 1 and 5V, for example between 1 and 1.5V, for example approximately 1.25V.

[0083] The power supply circuit 50 includes two input nodes BAT and VPSIO. Node BAT supplies power from the battery of the circuit 33. More specifically, node BAT supplies a power supply voltage VBAT that is greater than the voltage VPS. The voltage VBAT is, for example, greater than 1.5V, for example approximately 2.5V. According to one example, the voltage VBAT is referenced to a reference potential, such as ground. According to one embodiment, node VPSIO is a power supply node for powering the communication node of the NFC module 34. More specifically, node VPSIO is adapted to power the internal communication circuit of the device 30. Node VPSIO is adapted to directly provide the voltage VPS, i.e., without using a voltage regulation circuit. According to one example, when the device 30 is turned off, node VPSIO does not provide voltage.

[0084] The power supply circuit 50 further includes a bandgap voltage regulator circuit 501. The circuit 501 includes an input node coupled to, preferably connected to, node BAT, and an output node coupled to, preferably connected to, node REF. The circuit 501 provides a reference voltage based on the voltage provided by the battery at node BAT.

[0085] The power supply circuit 50 further includes two voltage regulators 502 and 503. Each of the voltage regulators 502 and 503 includes two input nodes coupled to, preferably connected to, nodes BAT and REF. The voltage regulators 502 and 503 respectively include output nodes that are coupled to, preferably connected to, corresponding output nodes OUT1 and OUT2. The voltage regulators 502 and 503 are sized to provide voltage VPS from the voltage output by node BAT. The voltage regulator 502 is sized such that the current I2 provided at node OUT2 is less than the current I3 provided by the voltage regulator 503 at node OUT3. According to one example, the current I3 is at least ten times the current I2. According to one example, the current I2 is approximately 2 mA and the current I3 is approximately 60 mA.

[0086] Each of the voltage regulators 502 and 503 includes transistors TP2, TP3 and operational amplifiers AO2, AO3. According to one example, the transistors TP2 and TP3 are P-channel metal oxide gate field effect transistors, also known as PMOS transistors.

[0087] The first conductive terminal of transistor TP2 is coupled to, preferably connected to, node BAT, and the second conductive terminal of transistor TP2 is coupled to, preferably connected to, node OUT1. The gate of transistor TP2 is coupled to, preferably connected to, the output of operational amplifier AO2. The operational amplifier AO2 includes an inverting input (-) coupled to, preferably connected to, node REF and a non-inverting input (+) coupled to, preferably connected to, node OUT2.

[0088] The first conductive terminal of transistor TP3 is coupled to, preferably connected to, node BAT, and the second conductive terminal of transistor TP3 is coupled to, preferably connected to, node OUT1. The gate of transistor TP3 is coupled to, preferably connected to, the output of operational amplifier AO3. The operational amplifier AO3 includes an inverting input (-) coupled to, preferably connected to, node REF and a non-inverting input (+) coupled to, preferably connected to, node OUT3.

[0089] The circuit 50 further includes two switches 504 and 505 that are adapted to define which input nodes of the circuit 50 supply power to groups 38 and 39. Switch 504 is coupled to, preferably connected to, node VPSIO and OUT1. Switch 505 is coupled to, preferably connected to, nodes OUT1 and OUT2. Switches 504 and 505 are controlled by a signal ( Figure 4 not shown in the figure), the value of which is defined by different power modes of the NFC module 34.

[0090] The operation of the circuit 50 is as follows.

[0091] When the device 30 is turned on and the NFC module 34 is active, all the circuits and components in the "always-on" 38 set and the "optional" 39 set are powered by the battery. Then the switch 505 is in the on state, while the switch 504 is in the off state. If the device 30 is in the off state and the circuit 34 is in the active power mode, the configuration is the same.

[0092] According to an alternative embodiment, when the device 30 is in the off state and the NFC module 34 is active, all the circuits and components in the "always-on" 38 set and the "optional" 39 set are powered by the node VPSIO. Then the switch 504 is in the on state, while the switch 505 is in the off state.

[0093] When the device 30 is in the on state and the NFC module 34 is in the standby state, only the circuits and components in the "always-on" 38 set are powered by the node VPSIO. The circuits and components in the "optional" 39 set are not powered. Then the switch 504 is in the on state, while the switch 505 is in the off state.

[0094] When the device 30 is in the off state and the NFC module 34 is in the standby state, only the circuits and components in the "always-on" 38 set are powered, and they are powered by the battery. The circuits and components of the "optional" set 39 are not powered. The switches 504 and 505 are in the off state.

[0095] When the NFC module 34 is inactive, whether the device 30 is in the on state or the off state, the circuits and components in the "always-on" 38 set and the "optional" 39 set are not powered.

[0096] One advantage of this embodiment is that when the device 30 is in the on state and the module 34 is in the active power mode, using the node VPSIO to power the circuits and components of the "always-on" group 38 can reduce the power consumption of the device 30. In fact, this embodiment allows not to use the voltage regulator 502, thus saving its power consumption. According to an example of an embodiment, this embodiment mode allows reducing the current consumption by about 15 μA and reducing the consumption from about 35 μA to about 20 μA.

[0097] Figure 5 An electrical diagram in the form of a block diagram that is part of an embodiment of the power supply circuit 60, the power supply circuit 60 is regarding Figure 2 and Figure 3 described as part of the power supply circuit 33. The power supply circuit 60 is adapted to supply power to the "always-on" 38 set and the "optional" 39 set described regarding Figure 3 described.

[0098] The circuit 60 is combined with Figure 4The described circuit 60 is similar to circuit 50 and has the same components. Components common to circuits 60 and 50 are not described in detail here, and only the differences between circuits 50 and 60 are highlighted.

[0099] Similar to power supply circuit 50, power supply circuit 60 is shown as connected to the "normally open" set 38 and "optional" set 39 described with respect to Figure 3 which are themselves coupled to isolation circuit 40 for ease of description. These sets 38 and 39 and isolation circuit 40 are not part of circuit 50.

[0100] Unlike circuit 50, circuit 60 includes only voltage regulator 503 and not voltage regulator 502. The power from voltage regulator 502 is replaced by power from node VPSIO.

[0101] The operation of circuit 60 is as follows.

[0102] When device 30 is in the on state and NFC module 34 is active, all circuits and components in the "normally open" set 38 and "optional" set 39 are powered by the battery. Then switch 505 is in the on state while switch 504 is in the off state. If device 30 is in the off state and circuit 34 is in the active power mode, the configuration is the same.

[0103] According to an alternative embodiment, when device 30 is in the on state and NFC module 34 is active, all circuits and components in the "normally open" set 38 and "optional" set 39 are powered by node VPSIO. Then switch 504 is in the on state while switch 505 is in the off state.

[0104] When device 30 is in the on state and NFC module 34 is in the standby state, only the circuits and components in the "normally open" set 38 are powered by node VPSIO. The circuits and components in the "optional" set 39 are not powered. Then switch 504 is in the on state and switch 505 is in the off state.

[0105] When device 30 is in the off state and NFC module 34 is in the standby state, only the circuits and components in the "normally open" set 38 are powered and are powered by node VPSIO. The circuits and components in the "optional" set 39 are not powered. Then switch 504 is in the on state and switch 505 is in the off state.

[0106] When NFC module 34 is in the inactive mode, whether device 30 is in the on state or the off state, the circuits and components in the "normally open" set 38 and "optional" set 39 are not powered.

[0107] According to an alternative embodiment, when the device 30 is in the on state and the NFC module 34 is inactive, only the circuits and components of the "always-on" group 38 are powered by the node VPSIO. The circuits and components of the "optional" group 39 are not powered. Then the switch 504 is in the on state and the switch 505 is in the off state.

[0108] One advantage of this embodiment is that it saves the space occupied by the voltage regulator 502. In this case, the device 30 can be an Internet of Things device, i.e., a connected object.

[0109] Various embodiments and variations have been described. Those skilled in the art will understand that certain features of these embodiments can be combined, and other variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

[0110] Finally, the actual implementation of the embodiments and variations described herein is within the capabilities of those skilled in the art based on the functional descriptions provided above.

[0111] Although the present invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, the description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. By reference to the description, those skilled in the art will be clear about the various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover any such modifications or embodiments.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising: A first near-field communication module; A power supply circuit, the power supply circuit including a battery, at least one first voltage regulator, a second voltage regulator, and at least one node configured to provide a first power supply voltage; At least a part of a volatile memory; At least one register; And At least one first circuit configured to activate the first near-field communication module, Wherein the power supply circuit is configured to: When the electronic device is in an on state and when the first near-field communication module is in a standby mode, supply power to at least a part of the volatile memory, the at least one register, and the at least one first circuit with the first power supply voltage; When the electronic device is in an off state and when the first near-field communication module is in the standby mode, supply power to all circuits of the electronic device that the first near-field communication module is configured to communicate with with a fourth power supply voltage provided by the second voltage regulator; and When the first near-field communication module is inactive, do not supply power to any circuits of the electronic device that the first near-field communication module is configured to communicate with.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first circuit includes an internal communication bus of the electronic device and / or a state machine configured to detect a state of the first near-field communication module.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first voltage regulator is configured to: when the electronic device is in the on state and when the first near-field communication module is active, supply power to all circuits of the electronic device that the first near-field communication module is configured to communicate with with a second power supply voltage, the second power supply voltage coming from a third power supply voltage provided by the battery and being equal to the first power supply voltage.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first voltage regulator is configured to: when the electronic device is in the off state and when the first near-field communication module is active, supply power to all circuits of the electronic device that the first near-field communication module is configured to communicate with.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second voltage regulator is configured to provide the fourth power supply voltage equal to the first power supply voltage from the third power supply voltage of the battery.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the first voltage regulator is configured to provide a first current, the first current being at least ten times the second current that the second voltage regulator can provide.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein one of the at least one node is adapted to directly provide the first power supply voltage.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first power supply voltage is between 1V and 1.5V, including the end values.

9. A method for powering an electronic device, wherein the electronic device includes a first near field communication module, a power supply circuit, at least a portion of a volatile memory, at least one register, and at least one first circuit, the at least one first circuit being configured to activate the first near field communication module, the method comprising: When the electronic device is in an on state and when the first near field communication module is in a standby mode, powering, by the power supply circuit, at least the portion of the volatile memory, the at least one register, and the at least one first circuit with a first power supply voltage; When the electronic device is in an off state and when the first near field communication module is in the standby mode, powering, by the power supply circuit, all circuits of the electronic device that the first near field communication module is configured to communicate with with a fourth power supply voltage; And When the first near field communication module is inactive, the power supply circuit not powering any circuits of the electronic device that the first near field communication module is configured to communicate with.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the power supply circuit includes a battery, at least one first voltage regulator, and at least one node for providing the first power supply voltage.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising, when the electronic device is in the on state and when the first near field communication module is active, powering, by the first voltage regulator, all circuits of the electronic device that the first near field communication module is configured to communicate with with a second power supply voltage, the second power supply voltage being derived from a third power supply voltage provided by the battery and being equal to the first power supply voltage.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising, when the electronic device is in the off state and when the first near field communication module is active, powering, by the first voltage regulator, all circuits of the electronic device that the first near field communication module is configured to communicate with.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the power supply circuit further includes a second voltage regulator, the second voltage regulator being configured to provide the fourth power supply voltage equal to the first power supply voltage from the third power supply voltage provided by the battery.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first voltage regulator provides a first current that is at least ten times the second current provided by the second voltage regulator.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein one of the at least one nodes is adapted to directly provide the first power supply voltage.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the first power supply voltage is between 1V and 1.5V, inclusive.

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