Power supply for an electronic device

Abstract

Powering an Electronic Device This description relates to a method for starting an electronic device, comprising: - at least one universal integrated circuit board or at least one secure element; - at least one power supply circuit for said board or secure element; and - at least one near-field communication module, wherein, when the near-field communication module transitions from a standby or inactive state to an active state, the following successive operations are performed: - the components and circuits of said electronic device are started; - programs of the electronic device and said board or secure element are started simultaneously. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 5

Description

Title of the invention: Power supply for an electronic device technical field

[0001] This description relates generally to electronic systems and devices, and to the power supply of these systems and devices. More specifically, this description relates to electronic devices adapted for Near Field Communication (NFC), and to the adaptation of power supply means for such electronic devices. Previous technique

[0002] Wireless communications are increasingly used nowadays for various applications such as information exchange, banking payments, energy exchange, etc. There are several types of wireless communication, for example, Near Field Communication (NFC), communications using higher frequencies over longer distances such as Bluetooth communications, etc.

[0003] It would be desirable to be able to improve, at least in part, certain aspects of known devices adapted to near-field communication technology. Summary of the invention

[0004] There is a need for devices adapted to more efficient near-field communication technology.

[0005] There is a need for devices adapted to near field communication technology that consume less energy.

[0006] There is a need for devices adapted to near field communication technology that start up faster.

[0007] An embodiment overcomes all or part of the disadvantages of known devices adapted to near field communication technology.

[0008] One embodiment provides a method for starting an electronic device, comprising: - at least one universal integrated circuit board or at least one secure component; - at least one power supply circuit for said card or said secure element; and - at least one near-field communication module, in which, when the near-field communication module transitions from a standby or inactive state to an active state, the following successive operations are performed: - the components and circuits of said electronic device are started; - the programs of the electronic device and said card or said secure element they started at the same time.

[0009] Another embodiment provides for an electronic device comprising: - at least one universal integrated circuit board or at least one secure component; - at least one power supply circuit for said card or said secure element; - at least one near field communication module, in which, when the near field communication module transitions from a standby or inactive state to an active state, the following successive operations are performed: - the components and circuits of said electronic device are started; and - the software of the electronic device and said card or said secure element are started at the same time.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the startup of said card comprises the following successive steps: - the start of the power supply circuit of said card or said secure element; and - the software start of said card or said secure element.

[0011] According to one embodiment, during the start-up of said power supply circuit, a voltage detector checks whether a first voltage source connected to said power supply circuit provides a first supply voltage equal to a reference voltage.

[0012] According to one embodiment, in which said power supply circuit supplies said card or said secure element with, in addition, a second power supply.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the device includes a voltage detector adapted to determine whether said first voltage source provides a first supply voltage different from the reference voltage.

[0014] According to one embodiment, said at least one near field communication module is adapted to switch to an active mode whenever said voltage detector determines that said first supply voltage is different from the reference voltage.

[0015] According to one embodiment, in the power supply circuit of said card or said secure element, the first supply voltage of said first voltage source is supplied to said card or said secure element via a switch controlled by a first circuit comprising a voltage follower and a first current slope limiter.

[0016] According to one embodiment, each time said voltage detector determines that said first supply voltage is different from the reference voltage, said near field communication module commands the start of said first circuit.

[0017] According to one embodiment, each time said voltage detector determines that said first supply voltage is equal to the reference voltage, said near-field communication module commands the shutdown of said first circuit. Brief description of the drawings

[0018] These features and advantages, as well as others, will be described in detail in the following description of particular embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, in relation to the accompanying figures, among which:

[0019] [Fig.1] represents, very schematically and in block form, an embodiment of an electronic device;

[0020] [Fig.2] represents, very schematically and in block form, an example of near field communication;

[0021] [Fig.3] represents, schematically and in block form, an embodiment of part of a power supply circuit of part of the electronic device of [Fig.1];

[0022] [Fig. 4] represents timing diagrams illustrating the operation of the embodiment of [Fig. 3]; and

[0023] [Fig.5] represents timing diagrams illustrating part of the operation of the embodiment of [Fig.1]. Description of the implementation methods

[0024] The same elements have been designated by the same reference numerals in the different figures. In particular, structural and / or functional elements common to the different embodiments may have the same reference numerals and may have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

[0025] For the sake of clarity, only the steps and elements necessary for understanding the described embodiments have been shown and are detailed. In particular, the protocols used during the implementation of near-field communication are not detailed. The embodiments described below are adapted to the usual protocols used during the implementation of near-field communication.

[0026] Unless otherwise specified, when referring to two elements connected together, this means directly connected without intermediate elements other than conductors, and when referring to two elements coupled together, this means that these two elements can be connected or linked through one or more other elements.

[0027] In the following description, when reference is made to absolute position qualifiers, such as the terms "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", etc., or relative position qualifiers, such as the terms "above", "below", "superior", "inferior", etc., or to orientation qualifiers, such as the terms "horizontal", "vertical", etc., reference is made, unless otherwise specified, to the orientation of the figures.

[0028] Unless otherwise specified, the expressions "approximately", "about", "meaning" "Suitably" and "of the order of" mean to within 10%, preferably to within 5%.

[0029] Fig. 1 represents, very schematically and in block form, an embodiment of an electronic device 100.

[0030] The electronic device 100 includes a processor 101 (CPU) adapted to implement various processing of data stored in memories and / or provided by other circuits of the device 100.

[0031] The electronic device 100 further comprises various types of memory 102 (MEM), including, for example, at least one volatile memory and at least one register, generally several registers. The device 100 may also, by way of example, include a non-volatile memory and a read-only memory. Each memory is adapted to store different types of data.

[0032] The electronic device 100 further comprises power supply circuits 103 (POWER SUPPLY). The circuits 103 manage the power supply to the various circuits and components of the device 100. The circuits 103 include, for example, at least one battery, battery charging means, voltage adaptation circuits, such as voltage regulators, etc. An embodiment of one of the power supply circuits 103 is described in more detail with reference to Figures 3 to 5.

[0033] The electronic device 100 further comprises circuits 104 (NFC) adapted to implement near-field communication, or near-field communication module 104, or NFC module 104. The NFC module 104 comprises, for example, oscillating / resonant circuits, data transmission and reception circuits, data conversion circuits, etc. An example of near-field communication and the various functionalities of the NFC module 104 are described in more detail in relation to [Fig. 2].

[0034] The electronic device 100 is further adapted to include at least one, or even several, universal integrated circuit cards (UICCs) 105, also called subscriber identification module (SIM) cards. A universal integrated circuit card 105 is a card containing confidential data related to one or more functions of the electronic device 100. As a common example, a SIM card of the type of a 105 card can be used in a cell phone to enable telephone communications. As another example, a 105 card can enable the implementation of a banking application by an electronic device, or the implementation of a public transportation application. The 105 card(s) can, in some cases, be secure elements.

[0035] The electronic device 100 further comprises at least one secure element 106 (SE) adapted to implement various functions of the device 100 in a secure manner. The secure element 106 may comprise a secure processor, memories intended for storing sensitive data, encryption and / or decryption circuits, circuits enabling secure communication with other electronic devices, etc. According to one embodiment, part of the NFC module 104 is part of the secure element 106.

[0036] The electronic device 100 may also include circuits, not shown in [Fig.1], adapted to implement different functions of the device 100. The circuits are diverse, and may include measurement circuits, data analysis circuits, sensors, other circuits enabling communication with other electronic devices, display devices, etc.

[0037] The various circuits and modules of the device 100 are connected to each other, and can communicate, via a communication bus 107.

[0038] As previously stated, the circuits 103 are adapted to manage the power, voltage, and current supply to the various circuits and components of the device 100. According to one embodiment, the circuits 103 include at least one circuit specifically adapted to manage the power supply to the cards 105 or the power supply to the secure element 106, taking into account different power supply modes for the various circuits and components of the device 100. Such a circuit is described in more detail with reference to Figures 3 and 4. More specifically, in the embodiment described here, the power supply to the cards 105 or the secure element 106 depends on the operating mode of the NFC module 104. The different operating modes of the NFC module 104 are described with reference to [Fig. 2].

[0039] Figure 2 schematically represents wireless communication, and more specifically, near-field communication between electronic devices 201 (TERM) and 202 (CARD). Device 202 is a device of the type of device 100 described in relation to Figure 1. By way of example, device 201 is also a device of the type of device 100 described in relation to Figure 1.

[0040] Near Field Communication (NFC) technologies enable high-frequency, short-range communications. Such systems exploit a radio-frequency electromagnetic field emitted by a device (terminal or reader) to communicate with another device (transponder or card).

[0041] In modern systems, a single device can operate in card mode or reader mode (for example, in the case of near-field communication between two mobile phones). It is then common for the devices to be battery-powered and for their functions and circuits to be put into standby mode to avoid consuming power between periods of use. The devices must then be "waked up" when they are within range of each other.

[0042] We assume the case of the two electronic devices 201 and 202, in which, by For example, device 201 is a terminal, or reader, and device 202 is a transponder, but everything that will be described applies more generally to any system in which a transponder picks up an electromagnetic field radiated by a reader, a terminal, or a beacon.

[0043] Depending on the application, for communication, one device operates in so-called reader mode while the other operates in so-called card mode, or the two devices communicate in peer-to-peer (P2P) mode. Each device includes at least one electronic circuit 104 (NFC), or NFC module 104, for generating a radio frequency signal emitted using an antenna of an oscillating / resonant circuit. The radio frequency field generated by one of the devices 201 or 202 is received by the other device 202 or 201 that is within range and also includes an antenna. In some applications, when a device is not communicating, it is switched to standby mode to reduce energy consumption. This is particularly the case for battery-powered devices.When the first device 201 emits an electromagnetic field to initiate communication with the second device 202, this field is detected by the second device 202 as soon as it is within range. This field is detected by the circuits 104 of the second device 202, which, if they are in standby mode, are reactivated. This results in a change in the load exerted by the circuits of the second device 202 on the resonant circuit that generates the field in the first device 201. In practice, the corresponding change in phase or amplitude of the emitted field is detected by the first device 201, which then initiates an NFC communication protocol with the second device 202. On the side of the first device 201, it detects whether the amplitude of the voltage across the resonant circuit falls below a threshold or whether the voltage across the resonant circuit has a phase shift greater than a threshold.Once the first device 201 has detected the presence of the second device 202 in its field, it initiates a communication establishment procedure, implementing the emission of requests by the first device 201 and responses by the second device 202.

[0044] During near-field communication, devices 201 and 202 are positioned within range of each other. More precisely, device 202 is positioned within range of device 201 so that it can receive the electromagnetic field of device 201. For example, device 202 is positioned at a distance generally less than 10 cm from device 201. In another example, device 202 is in mechanical contact with device 201.

[0045] Device 201 is a terminal which can be, for example, fixed or mobile. Device 201 is responsible for initiating the communication. For example, terminal 201 is a payment terminal or a mobile phone.

[0046] The device 202 is a transponder, generally mobile. In a preferred embodiment, the transponder 202 is a microcircuit card (or smart card), for example, a bank card or a transit card. Alternatively, the device 202 could be a mobile phone or a connected object. In a preferred embodiment, the device 202 comprises a universal integrated circuit card adapted to implement the functionalities of a bank card or a transit card, and / or a security element. The various electronic circuits of the device 202, adapted to implement various commands sent by the device 201, such as authentication circuits, cryptography circuits, the cards 105, the security element 106, etc., are used to receive the data transmitted by the transponder 201.

[0047] Furthermore, the different power supply modes of certain circuits and components of the device 202 can have an influence on the power supply modes, or on the power supply, of other circuits and components of the device 202. In particular, and according to one embodiment, the NFC module 104 has several power supply modes which influence the power supply mode, and on the power supply, of circuits and components of the device 202, and, in particular, of cards 105 or a secure element 106 of the device 202 (not shown in [Fig.2]).

[0048] The NFC 104 module includes at least three power supply modes: an active power supply mode, a standby power supply mode, and an inactive power supply mode. When the NFC 104 module is in the active power supply mode, that is, when the NFC 104 module is in an active state or is active, the NFC 104 module is available for use at any time. All the circuits and components included in the NFC 104 module are likely to be powered; it is in this mode that the NFC 104 module is likely to consume the most power. When the NFC 104 module is in the standby power supply mode, that is, when the NFC module is in a standby state or is in standby, the NFC 104 module is intended to provide a service with fewer features, and therefore only some of the circuits included in the NFC 104 module are likely to be powered.In this mode, the NFC 104 module generally consumes less power than in active power mode. When the NFC 104 module is in inactive power mode, or hibernation mode—that is, when the NFC 104 module is inactive or idle—only a minimal portion of the NFC 104 module's circuitry is likely to be powered. It is in this power mode that the NFC 104 module consumes the least power.

[0049] Figure 3 schematically represents, in block form, a universal integrated circuit card 300 and its power supply circuit 301 of an electronic device of the type of device 100 described in relation to Figure 1. More particularly, the card 300 is a card 105 of device 100 of [Fig.1], and the power supply circuit 301 is adapted to be part of the power supply circuits 103 of device 100.

[0050] Circuit 301 includes two input terminals, BAT and SUPP-UICC-IN, and one output terminal, SUPP-UICC-OUT. The two input terminals, BAT and SUPP-UICC-IN, are connected, preferably connected, to power supplies, and the output terminal, SUPP-UICC-OUT, is connected, preferably connected, to a VCC power supply terminal of the board 300.

[0051] The input terminal BAT receives a supply voltage VBAT, referenced to a reference voltage, for example ground, from a battery. The supply voltage VBAT is, for example, a DC voltage. In one example, the battery is part of the power supply circuits of the electronic device of which the board 300 and the power supply circuit 301 are a part. The input terminal BAT is connected to the output node SUPP-UICC-OUT via a circuit 302 (LDO + SRL) comprising: - a linear voltage regulator (low-dropout regulator, LDO) adapted to adjust the value of the VBAT voltage so that it corresponds to the supply voltage value VCC-UICC-OUT expected by the 300 board; - a pull-down resistor suitable for protecting the linear voltage regulator during startup; and - a first slew rate limiter adapted to protect the VCC power supply terminal of the 300 board against current spikes.

[0052] The input terminal SUPP-UICC-IN receives a supply voltage VCC-UICC-IN, referenced to the reference voltage, from a power source other than the battery. This power source is, for example, a main power supply for the device, including the card 300 and the power supply circuit 301, which is on when the device is powered on and off when the device is powered off. As an example, the supply voltage from this power supply is transmitted to the power terminal SUPP-UICC-IN via a data transmission line, for example, through a modulator-demodulator, or modem. The input terminal SUPP-UICC-IN is connected to the output node SUPP-UICC-OUT via a switch 303 controlled by a circuit 304 (Follow + SLR) comprising: - a voltage follower adapted to match the impedance of the power supply from which the VCC-UICC-IN voltage originates to the input impedance of the 300 board; and - a second slew rate limiter adapted to protect the VCC power supply terminal of the 300 board against current spikes.

[0053] Furthermore, and according to one embodiment, the VCC-UICC-IN voltage of the SUPP-UICC-IN input terminal is monitored by a 305 voltage detector (VOLT DET).

[0054] The operation of the power supply circuit 301 is as follows. A more detailed operating mode of the power supply circuit 301 is described in relation to [Fig. 4].

[0055] The 300 card can be powered by two different power sources, referred to as the main power supply and the battery. The SUPP-UICC-IN input terminal receives a supply voltage from the main power supply, and the BAT input terminal receives a supply voltage from the battery, as described above. The battery is the default power supply for the 300 card, and the main power supply only powers the 300 card when it is switched on. Furthermore, the power supply to the 300 card is controlled by the NFC module of the device comprising the 300 card, and more specifically by the power supply mode of this NFC module. This aspect is described in more detail with reference to [Fig. 4].

[0056] In particular, when the main power supply is turned off, for example when the electronic device comprising the board 300 and the circuit 301 is turned off, the circuit 304 controls the opening of the switch 303, and the output node SUPP-UICC-OUT receives a supply voltage from the BAT terminal, via the circuit 302. In this case, the voltage VCC-UICC-IN has a value on the order of the value of the reference voltage.

[0057] However, when the main power supply is on, for example when the device is switched on or the data transmission line carrying the supply voltage from the main power supply is switched on, circuit 304 controls the closing of switch 303 to supply the VCC-UICC-IN voltage to the SUPP-UICC-OUT output terminal. In this case, the VCC-UICC-IN voltage has a value different from the reference voltage and is adapted to power the board 300. On the BAT input terminal side, circuit 302 is not activated to prevent two power supplies from powering the board 300 simultaneously, and more specifically, the voltage regulator of circuit 302 is not activated.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the embodiment of [Fig. 3] could be applied to the power supply of the safety element of an electronic device of the type of device 100 described in relation to [Fig. 1]. More specifically, in this case, the card 300 is replaced by a safety element 106 of device 100 of [Fig. 1], and the power supply circuit receives the VCC-UICC-IN voltage from a main power supply of the electronic device or from a secondary power supply dedicated primarily to powering the safety element. The description of [Fig. 4] also applies to this embodiment.

[0059] Fig. 4 represents three timing diagrams illustrating the operation of the circuit 301 described in relation to Fig. 3.

[0060] More specifically, [Fig.4] illustrates chronograms: - the VCC-UICC-IN voltage received as input by the SUPP-UICC-IN input terminal; - the VCC-UICC-OUT voltage supplied by the SUPP-UICC-OUT output terminal; and - the states of the NFC module of the device comprising the 300 card and its 301 power supply circuit.

[0061] Between an initial state t0 and a time t1, subsequent to t0, the NFC module is in a state where it does not consume much energy, for example, in a standby or inactive state (hatched in [Fig. 4]). The main power supply does not provide a supply voltage, and the VCC-UICC-IN supply voltage is at a low level, i.e., at a voltage value on the order of the reference voltage. Furthermore, the NFC module controls the power supply to the 300 card, and when the NFC module is in a standby or inactive state, the 300 card is not powered. Thus, the battery is not used to power the 300 card, and the VCC-UICC-OUT voltage has a value on the order of the reference voltage.

[0062] Between time t1 and a time t2, subsequent to time t1, the VCC-UICC-IN voltage transitions from a low state to a high state, that is, to a state where the value of the VCC-UICC-IN voltage is suitable for powering the card 300. For example, the device comprising the card 300 and the power supply circuit 301 is switched on, or the data transmission line providing the VCC-UICC-IN voltage is activated. In one embodiment, the voltage detector 305 detects this change in the state of the VCC-UICC-IN voltage and informs the NFC module, which then switches to an active state. By switching to an active state, the NFC module commands the start of circuit 304, and more specifically the start of the voltage follower and the current slope limiter included in circuit 304. The VCC-UICC-OUT voltage then goes from the low state to the high state, for example, with a slight delay relative to the VCC-UICC-IN voltage.Card 300 is then powered by the main power supply. Furthermore, during this period, the NFC module disables the ability of circuit 302 to automatically start upon detection of a radio frequency field.

[0063] Between time t2 and a time t3, later than time t2, the NFC module, having triggered the start-up of circuit 304, returns to the standby or inactive mode it was in before time t1. Circuit 304 continues to operate. The VCC-UICC-IN and VCC-UICC-OUT voltages remain high and supply power to board 300.

[0064] Between time t3 and a time t4, later than time t3, the VCC-UICC-IN voltage changes from high to low and is no longer able to power the card 300. For example, the device comprising the card 300 and the power supply circuit 301 is switched off, or the data transmission line supplying the VCC-UICC-IN voltage is deactivated. In the case considered here, that is, when the NFC module was in an inactive state before being woken up by the voltage change VCC-UICC-IN, the VCC-UICC-OUT voltage then changes from high to low, for example, with a slight delay relative to the VCC-UICC-OUT voltage. Indeed, according to one embodiment, the voltage detector 305 detects the change in state of the VCC-UICC-IN voltage and informs the NFC module, which then enters an active state. Upon entering an active state, the NFC module commands the shutdown of circuit 304, and more specifically of the voltage follower and the current slope limiter included in circuit 304. The board 300 is then no longer powered by the main power supply. Since the NFC module is in a standby or inactive state before time t3, the battery does not take over to power the board 300. Furthermore, during this period, the NFC module reactivates the ability of circuit 302 to start automatically upon detection of a radio frequency field.

[0065] However, if the NFC module had been in an active state before being awakened by the change in state of the VCC-UICC-IN voltage, the power source of the VCC-UICC-OUT voltage would then have been changed to the battery. To achieve this, the NFC module would have triggered the activation of circuit 302, and then the opening of switch 303.

[0066] Between time t4 and a time t5, later than time t4, the NFC module, having commanded the shutdown of circuit 304, returns to the standby or inactive mode in which it was before time t3. The voltages VCC-UICC-IN and VCC-UICC-OUT remain in a low state, and the card 300 is not powered.

[0067] At a time t5, later than time t4, the NFC module switches from the standby or inactive state to the active state. According to an example, the NFC module has detected a radio frequency field and is preparing to initiate near-field communication.

[0068] Between a time t6, later than time t5, and a time t7, later than time t6, the NFC module controls the power supply to card 300. Since the VCC-UICC-IN voltage is always low, powering the device from its main power source is not possible, and the battery is used to power card 300. Thus, the NFC module controls the start-up of circuit 302 so that it provides the SUPP-UICC-OUT node with a voltage suitable for powering card 300. The VCC-UICC-OUT voltage then goes high. The NFC module can, for example, transmit data to card 300 if the near-field communication it initiated concerns card 300.

[0069] According to one example, the startup of circuit 302 initially involves using the pull-up resistor to ensure that the VCC-UICC-OUT voltage at the SUPP-UICC-OUT output node is indeed at a low level. The pull-up resistor is, for example, used for a duration of approximately 400 ps. The voltage regulator of circuit 302 is then started.

[0070] An advantage of the embodiment presented in relation to Figures 3 and 4 is that, by using the voltage detector 305, the NFC module can activate the circuit 304 and, More specifically, it can activate the current slope limiter each time the state of the VCC-UICC-IN voltage changes. This prevents current overconsumption or current spikes that could be generated at those times.

[0071] Figure 5 shows a timing diagram and two diagrams illustrating in more detail the operations performed during the startup of the NFC module 104 and the universal integrated circuit board 105 of the device 100 described in relation to Figure 1. In the example shown here, only one board 105 of the device 100 is considered. Figure 5 illustrates more precisely: - an RF-Field chronogram illustrating the appearance of a radio frequency field; - an NFC-Op timing diagram illustrating the operations implemented to start the NFC module; and - a UICC-Op timing diagram illustrating the operations implemented for the startup of card 105.

[0072] The NFC module 104 starts up when it transitions from a standby or inactive state to an active state. For example, the NFC module starts up when it detects a radio frequency field. It should be noted that when the NFC module is in standby or inactive, it is capable of detecting a radio frequency field, and to do so, the NFC module periodically (or alternatively, continuously) performs a radio frequency field search. In one embodiment, when the NFC module is in standby or inactive, it performs a radio frequency field search every 0.5 to 5 ms, for example, every 1 to 2 ms. By performing these searches only periodically, the NFC module reduces its energy consumption.

[0073] Furthermore, the start-up of the card 104 corresponds to the transition from an off state where the card 104 cannot be used to an on state where the card 104 can use most of its functions.

[0074] Before an initial instant t'0, no radio frequency field is present or can be detected by the NFC 104 module, and the RF-Field timing diagram is low. The NFC 104 module is in standby or inactive (HIB). The card 105 is in an off state (UICC OFF).

[0075] Between the initial time t'0 and a time fl subsequent to t'0, a radio frequency field can be detected by the NFC 104 module, and the RF-Field timing diagram goes high. More specifically, it is considered that from time t'0 onwards, a radio frequency field is detectable. The field remains detectable without sending a command for a duration Dmax during which the surrounding devices are expected to prepare themselves to be able to receive said field. According to one embodiment, the duration Dmax is on the order of 5 ms. Once the duration Dmax has elapsed, the field begins to send instructions and Data represented by a hatched rectangle in [Fig. 5]. In the specific case of [Fig. 5], this means that the The device's NFC module 104 must be active before a certain time, denoted f0+Dmax. The NFC module 104 does not automatically detect the radio frequency field. Therefore, the NFC module is always in standby or inactive. Similarly, card 105 is always off.

[0076] At time t'2, later than time t'1, the NFC module 104 detects the radio frequency field. The NFC module 104 begins the various operations involved in its startup to become active. To do this, the NFC module 104 first commands the startup of certain circuits and components of the electronic device (HW BOOT). The board 105 remains off. More specifically, during this startup, the internal power supplies and the power supply circuits of the electronic device are started.

[0077] Between time t'3 and time t'4, later than time t'3, the NFC module 104 controls, according to one embodiment, the start of the various software or programs of the electronic device (FW BOOT) and the start of the card 105.

[0078] The startup of the various software of the electronic device 100 is implemented by the processor 101 of the device 100.

[0079] The startup of card 105 begins with the power supply to the universal integrated circuit board of the electronic device (UICC Alim). More specifically, the NFC module checks the voltage supplied by the power supply circuit of card 105. The automatic startup of the card's power supply voltage regulator causes a counter to start in device 100. This counter is intended to be read later, and its contents communicated to the NFC circuit software. This allows the software to determine when the universal integrated circuit board (UICC) is powered by the voltage regulator. Based on this information, the NFC router software can determine when it can initiate communication with the UICC.In practice, once the power supply circuit is able to supply power to the 105 card, i.e. at a time t'4, later than time t'3, the 105 card can start (UICC BOOT), and more specifically the software startup of the 105 card can start.

[0080] At a time t'5, later than time t'3 and, for example, later than time t'4, the software of device 100 is in an operational state. The NFC module can then enter an active state (NFC FW ACTIVE) and prepare to receive the instructions and data provided by the radio frequency field.

[0081] At a time t'6, later than time t'4 and, for example, later than time t'5, the card 105 is in a state to operate (UICC ON).

[0082] At an instant t'7, corresponding to the instant t'O+Dmax, the NFC module, the circuits and components of the device 100 controlled by the NFC module, and the card 105 are ready to receive the Data instructions and commands from the radio frequency field.

[0083] One advantage of this embodiment is that, thanks to the presence of the voltage detector 305 in the power supply circuit of the board 105 (described in relation to [Fig. 3]), the NFC module can start said power supply circuit without requiring the software of the device 100 to start. In some cases, this allows the NFC module and the board 105 to start in a time less than Dmax, i.e., in one embodiment, in less than 5 ms. More generally, this embodiment allows for faster startup of the NFC module and the circuits and components it controls.

[0084] Furthermore, this embodiment can be adapted to powering the secure element 106 of the device 100. Indeed, as with the card(s) 105, the NFC module can be adapted to control the power supply to the secure element 106 each time the NFC module detects a radio frequency field. Thus, according to one embodiment, and similarly to the operation performed at time f3, once the NFC module has started certain circuits and components of the device 100 (HW BOOT), the NFC module simultaneously controls: - the start-up of the power supply circuit of the secure element 106; and - the start-up of the various software programs of the device 100.

[0085] Various embodiments and variations have been described. A person skilled in the art will understand that certain features of these various embodiments and variations could be combined, and other variations will become apparent to a person skilled in the art.

[0086] Finally, the practical implementation of the embodiments and variants described is within the reach of a person skilled in the art, based on the functional indications given above.

Claims

Claims

1. A method for starting an electronic device, comprising: - at least one universal integrated circuit card (105; 300) or at least one secure element; - at least one power supply circuit (103; 301) of said card or said secure element; and - at least one near-field communication module, wherein when the near-field communication module changes from a standby state or an inactive state to an active state, the following successive operations are performed: - the components and circuits of said electronic device (100) are started; - programs of the electronic device (100) and said card (105; 300) or said secure element are started at the same time.

2. Electronic device comprising: - at least one universal integrated circuit card (105; 300) or at least one secure element; - at least one power supply circuit (103; 301) of said card or of said secure element; - at least one near-field communication module, in which when the near-field communication module changes from a standby state or an inactive state to an active state, the following successive operations are carried out: - the components and circuits of said electronic device (100) are started; and - software of the electronic device (100) and said card (105; 300) or said secure element are started at the same time.

3. Method according to claim 1, or device according to claim 2, wherein the starting of said card comprises the following successive steps: - starting the power supply circuit (301) of said card (105; 300) or said secure element; and - software starting of said card (105; 300) or said secure element.

4. A method according to claim 1 or 3, or a device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, during startup of said power supply circuit, a voltage detector checks whether a first source of voltage connected to said supply circuit provides a first supply voltage equal to a reference voltage.

5. Method or device according to claim 4, wherein said power supply circuit (301) powers said card or said secure element with, in addition, a second power source.

6. Method or device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the device comprises a voltage detector (305) adapted to determine whether said first voltage source provides a first supply voltage (VCC-UICC-IN) different from the reference voltage.

7. Method or device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein said at least one near field communication module (104) is adapted to switch to an active mode whenever said voltage detector (305) determines that said first supply voltage (VCC-UICC-IN) is different from the reference voltage.

8. Method or device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein, in the power supply circuit (301) of said card (105, 300) or said secure element, the first supply voltage of said first voltage source is supplied to said card (300) or said secure element via a switch (303) controlled by a first circuit (304) comprising a voltage follower and a first current slope limiter.

9. A method or device according to claim 8, wherein wherein each time said voltage detector (305) determines that said first supply voltage (VCC-UICC-IN) is different from the reference voltage, said near field communication module (104) commands the start of said first circuit (304).

10. A method or device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein each time said voltage detector (305) determines that said first supply voltage (VCC-UICC-IN) is equal to the reference voltage, said near field communication module (104) commands the shutdown of said first circuit (304).

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