Secure element power management system

摘要

There is described a method of, and a circuit for supplying power to an integrated circuit card, ICC, of a wireless device comprising a first power supply unit. The circuit comprises a power pin connected configured to selectively operate as a power input pin or as a power output pin, and adapted to be connected to the first power path of the device through a second power path of the device; a second power supply unit; and a controller configured to cause the power pin to operate as a power input pin in the first operation mode of the device, or as a power output pin in the second operation mode of the device. A wireless device comprising the circuit and a method of supplying power to an ICC are further disclosed.

主权项

1. A circuit for supplying power to an integrated circuit card, ICC, of a wireless device comprising a first power supply unit adapted to supply power to the ICC through a first power path in a first operation mode of the device while being unable to supply power to the ICC in a second operation mode of the device, the circuit comprising:
a second power supply unit; a power pin connected to the second power supply unit and configured to selectively operate as a power input pin or as a power output pin, and adapted to be selectively connected to the first power supply unit of the device through a second power path of the device or to the ICC through a third power path of the device, respectively; a controller configured to cause the power pin to operate as a power input pin in the first operation mode of the device whereby the second power supply unit is loaded with power from the first power supply unit through the power pin and the second power path of the device, or as a power output pin in the second operation mode of the device whereby power is supplied to the ICC from the second power supply unit through the power pin and the third power path of the device, wherein the controller is configured to
determine whether the device operates in the second operation mode and/or the first power supply unit is unable to supply power to the ICC, andbased on said determination, control operation of the power pin as a power input pin or as a power output pin, and/or to control the opening or closing of a circuit breaking unit, wherein
(a) the device operating in the second operation mode is determined based on information obtained by the controller from a central processor of the device, or(b) the first power supply unit being unable to supply power to the ICC is determined by monitoring a current flow entering the power pin when the power pin is configured to operate in the first operation mode of the device.