Abstract: A protection circuit provides transient protection to a solid state circuit of a line interface for wired telecommunications media at a voltage level below the power supply of the solid state circuit and prevents transient currents from entering the power supply distribution where they might cause damage to the protected interface and other circuits. The protection circuit uses a MOSFET, the gate of which is provided with a bias derived from a power supply of the solid state circuit being protected. The bias causes the MOSFET to be always on such that the MOSFET provides an immediate and high transconductance path to ground for transient currents from the line interface.

Abstract: A protection circuit provides transient protection to a solid state circuit of a line interface for wired telecommunications media at a voltage level below the power supply of the solid state circuit and prevents transient currents from entering the power supply distribution where they might cause damage to the protected interface and other circuits. The protection circuit uses a MOSFET, the gate of which is provided with a bias derived from a power supply of the solid state circuit being protected. The bias causes the MOSFET to be always on such that the MOSFET provides an immediate and high transconductance path to ground for transient currents from the line interface.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing power dissipation in a plurality of Subscriber Line Interface Circuits (SLICs) is disclosed. In one embodiment, a first voltage source is operable to supply a first voltage to a portion of the SLICs and a second voltage source is operable to supply a second voltage to the portion of the SLICs. Data relating to subscriber loops served by the SLICs is collected and used to dynamically determine the second voltage.