Abstract: A portable radio communication device (303) includes power control circuitry (315) for monitoring the voltage level incoming from a battery (317), and provides power to the rest of the radio communication device (303). The power control circuitry (315) includes a boost regulator (407) that is used to generate an internal reference signal for use throughout the radio communication device including an analog to digital converter (ADC) for digitizing the battery voltage for use by the power control circuitry (315). The power control circuitry (315) compares the digitized battery voltage to thresholds to control power to the remainder of the radio communication device (303). Additionally, a secondary comparator (413) is provided to prevent damage to the battery and radio communication device circuitry. The secondary comparator uses multiple undervoltage thresholds depending upon the power state of the radio communication device (303).

Abstract: An apparatus (200) for securing electronic information (205) includes a microcontroller (202) and an external memory (204) coupled thereto. The microcontroller (202) comprises a one-time programmable security flag (230) that is programmed when the electronic information (205) is stored in the memory (204). Once programmed, the security flag prevents reprogramming of the memory (204). Additionally, the microcontroller (202) comprises an algorithm (400) that generates electronic authentication information (207) from the electronic information (205). The authentication information (207) is stored in the memory (204) along with the electronic information (205). Upon retrieval from the memory (204) for registration, the electronic information (205) is authenticated by generating new electronic authentication information (508) via the algorithm (400) to compare to the authentication information (207) stored in the memory (204). Such authentication prevents swapping out of the memory (204) to gain system access.

Abstract: A bidirectional voltage translator (102) includes a first port (200/400), a second port (202/402) and a bidirectional translator circuit (208-215/404-408, 410, 412-415) coupled between the first and second ports (200/400,202/402). The first and second ports (200/400,202/402) communicate signals at a first voltage level and a second voltage level, respectively. The second voltage level is different from the first voltage level. When a first port signal input at the first voltage level at the first port (200/400) is detected, the bidirectional translator circuit (208-215/404-408, 410, 412-415) translates the first port signal into the second voltage level at the second port (202/402) and disables translation of a signal at the second port (202/402) to the first port (200/400).