Circuit Isolation Techniques

& TI Isolation Technology

Presented By: Saleem Marwat

Business Development Manager
Isolation Products
Industrial Interface

Agenda

Technical Review
Markets and Applications
Competitive Advantages
Product Portfolio
Q&A

Technical Review

Signal Isolation
The Real
World

Position

TRANSCEIVERS
RS-485/ CAN

Flow
Pressure
Sound

ADC

ISOLATION

Temperature
Speed

PLC
DSP

Light
Humidity

DIGITAL
INTELLIGENCE

What is Isolation ?
Galvanic isolation:

Although Circuit 1 and Circuit 2 exchange signals, no current

(electrons) pass from Circuit 1 to Circuit 2.
Why is isolation required in electrical systems?

Break ground loops

Reduce common mode noise
Safety from high voltages

Voltage supply 1
Circuit 1

Ground 1

Voltage supply 2
Signals

Circuit 2

Ground 2

Isolation Benefits
1)

Electrical Installation can cause large

GPDs (ground potential difference)
between two remote nodes.

2)

A direct ground connection between the

nodes closes the ground loop.

3)

Noise sources (i.e. electric motors)

inducing large currents into the ground
modulate the ground loop current.

4)

This ground noise then appears in the

signal path.
1)

An isolator breaks the ground loop,

thus removing signal path noise.

2)

The GPD yet still exists and the

isolator must be robust enough to
withstand the large voltage
differences.

Why Isolate?? - Other reasons

Data

120
CAN

Group loop
isolation

ISO

SN65HVD233

ISO7221C

120
CAN

ISO

SN65HVD233

ISO7221C

Noise
isolation

TMP101
DSP

DSP

OPA333

SN75477
ISO
ISO721

Block High
Voltage

ISO

120V

Amp

ADS1255
24-Bit

ISO7241A

LVC2G06
Fan

ISO

Sensor

TMS 320 F2810

DSP
with CAN
Controller

ISO7220M

Amp
Amp

Motor
480V

Data Isolation
Common-Mode Transient Event

Signals referenced
to GND2

CMTI The change in ground 1 relative ground 2. Measured in kV / Sec.

Key methods of Isolation

Ewald Georg von Kleist
invented the first recorded
capacitor 1745

Michael Faraday
demonstrated the
transformer principle in 1831
Zarlink Invented the
opto-coupler (1968)

Others
Sound, RF, light,
Mechanical, etc

Isolation Techniques
(Its all capacitive)

Source: TI App note SLLA198

www.ti.com/iso721

(Click on above link for web info)

Capacitive

GMR

Inductive

Optical

Capacitive
ISO72X

Inductive
ADuM1xx

GMR
IL7x

Optical
HCPL-07xx

CIO

1 pF

1 pF

1.1 pF

0.6 pF

Isolation
Dielectric

SiO2

Polyimide

Polyimide

Mold compound

All isolated couplers are capacitive coupled (active or parasitic)

CIO for any type is comparable

Some History
Burr Brown Announces Industry-First Isolated Digital Coupler Using Capacitive
Barrier Technology.
Article from: Business Wire Dated: August 19, 1998

Coplanar
Capacitor
Technology

Technical Innovation by TI with regard to capacitive isolation technology improvements

is impressive!!

How are they constructed?

Transmit - Chip

Receiver - Chip
HV-Cap

High Voltage Capacitor Detail

Mold compound

Bond wire
Top plate = Al

Inter Level Dielectric

(Tons of SiO2)

Min 14 m

Bottom Plate = Silicon Substrate (doped)

Internal Construction

ISO72x: Integrated at process level

Optical: Isolation functionality added at package level

ADuM1100: Integrated at process level

How do they work?

The LF channel assures correct output signal polarity during loss of input signal (i.e. wire-break)
HF and LF channels use differential signaling for high noise immunity
In the new architecture, all signal transitions go through the High-Frequency Channel.

High-Frequency Channel
for a 50:50 duty cycle

Low-Frequency Channel

Between A and D, the LF-channel works

in the same way the HF channel does.
The only differences are the pulse-width
modulation at the beginning and the
demodulation at the end.

Terminology

Working or Operating Voltage (Vpk):

Voltage that may be applied continuously across the Isolation barrier, mostly 560Vpk or 890Vpk

Isolation or Transient Voltage (Vrms):

Voltage that may occur temporarily across the barrier tested for 1 minute during qualification, for example 4kVpk &
6kVpk per VDE or 2.5kVrms & 5 kVrms per UL

Basic or Functional Isolation:

- assumes a single level of isolation of certain strength
- is applicable for most industrial applications and AC-equipment 400Vrms, and for consumer electronics.
- is mostly rated at 560Vpk continuous, 4kVpk transient voltage.

Reinforced Isolation:
- assumes a single level of isolation providing the same reliability as a two-layer isolation.
- is applicable for most medical applications and AC-equipment > 400Vrms.
- for component-level reinforced rating, VDE requires 10 kVpk surge voltage.

Common Mode Transient Immunity:

CMTI is the quick change in Reference potential from primary to secondary. Its given as the dV/dt up to
which no false toggling of the output will occur (e.g. 35kV/us). Usually scales linearly with Vcc.

Partial Discharge (PD):

- Is a localized dielectric breakdown of a small portion of an insulation system under high voltage stress, which
does not bridge the space between two conductors.
- It is measured in pico-coulombs using Apparent Charge method. 100% units are production-tested for PD.
- Epoxy is more susceptible to partial discharge due to voids; SiO 2 is much more resilient.

Creepage and Clearance

Discusses the surface-distance that may conduct if wet/polluted, respectively the airdistance. For 560V/4kV mostly 5mm is sufficient, for 890V/6kV mostly 8mm is needed.
Depends on pollution degree
Creepage distance: Shortest distance
between two conductive leads, across
isolation barrier, measured along surface
of insulation.

Package/ designation

Clearance distance: Shortest distance

between two conductive leads , across
isolation barrier, measured through air
(line of sight).

Creepage mm

Clearance mm

Narrow body SOIC/ D

4.3

4.8

Gull wing / DUB

6.8

6.1

Wide body SOIC/ DW

8.1

8.34

Discovery Questions
to allow educated solution-proposals
1. Isolation strength:
basic/reinforced?
2. Isolation voltage:
4kVpeak, 560Vpk continuous?
6kVpeak, 890Vpk continuous?
3. Stand-alone isolation or integration (Transceiver,
Gate-Driver, Data-Converter)?
4. Supply Voltages?
5. Channel-count & channel direction?
6. What is the transient immunity requirement? (CMTI)

Markets/Applications

Applications utilizing Isolation

Industrial:
Robotics
PLC input/output isolation
Industrial networks
Motor control
Power supplies

Primary Task:
Isolation between High-Power and Control Signals
Isolation of Bus-Nodes to prevent Corruption
of the complete Bus & Common Mode Rejection

Applications utilizing Isolation

Medical:
Microwave therapy
Patient monitoring
Electrocardiographs
Defibrillators
Communications:
PBX (Private Branch Exchange)
and central office
Primary Task:
Telephone terminal equipment
Medical:
Isolation between Power and Patient Telephone switching equipment
Modems
Communications:
Isolation between Power and Caller ISDN
Isolation of Bus-Nodes to prevent
Ethernet / PoE
Corruption of the complete Bus

Applications utilizing Isolation

Consumer Electronics:
Video (TV, VCR, etc.)
Plasma displays
Electronic gaming
Home appliances
Primary Task:
Isolation between High-Power and User

Computers & Office Equipment

Isolated I/O
Printers and plotters
Fax machines

Competitive Analysis

Specs and Reliability Comparison

Opto
(Avago)

Magnetic
(ADI)

Capacitiv
e
(Si Labs)

Capacitiv
e
(TI)

Max Data Rate (Mbps)

50

150

150

150

Typ Power Consumed/Ch @ 25Mbps & 3.3V (mA)

16

3.4

2.7

Max Propagation Delay Time (ns)

22

32

13

12

Pulse Width Distortion (ns)

4.5

1.5

Channel-to-Channel skew (ns)

16

2.0

2.5

1.6

Part-to-Part Skew (ns)

20

10

4.5

ESD on all Pins (kV)

Minimum CM Transient Immunity (kV/us)

20

25

25

25

Temperature Range (oC)

-45..125

-40..125

-40..125

-40..125

MTBF @ 125oC, 90% Confidence (Hrs)

6.92E+0
4

3.17E+0
7

1.65E+09

14391

31.55

0.6

Fails*
Fails*

Fails*
Fails*

Complies
Complies

FIT@ 125oC, 90% Confidence (per 1E+09 hrs)

Radiated Electromagnetic-Field Immunity
IEC61000-4-3 (80MHz-1000MHz)
MIL-STD 461E RS103 (30MHz-1000MHz)

*High-Voltage
Devices passed
the minimum
criteria set
by some standards. See- details later<in10
the presentation.
Lifetime
Expectancy
(yrs)
> 60*

> 28

Competitive Analysis ICC1

TI Isolators have excellent power consumption throughout its operating range.

Data shown above is taken in the lab on the same setup to ensure apples-toapples comparison.

Competitive Analysis ICC2

TI Isolators have excellent power consumption throughout its operating range.

Data shown above is taken in the lab on the same setup to ensure apples-toapples comparison.

Competitive Analysis Propagation Delay

TI has isolators with very fast propagation delays (M-grade) and devices with
integrated input noise filters (C-grade).
Data shown above is taken in the lab on the same setup to ensure apples-toapples comparison.

Dielectric Materials Used for Isolation

SiO2: ISO72x Typical BV is 1000 Vpeak/um

Inorganic
Highly Stable (over temperature, moisture, time), high quality
Used extensively and for long time as dielectric in semiconductor
(low defect rates)
Deposited in a controlled semiconductor process

Polyimide: ADI Transformer core Typical BV is 250 Vpeak/um

Organic
Retains moisture affects lifetime especially at high voltages
Used in semiconductor mainly for stress relief & now as isolation
barrier

Epoxy: Opto-couplers: Typical BV is 50 Vpeak/um

Uses filler materials
Leaky (higher partial discharge)
Applied at packaging as mold compound
Voids and anomalies are common

High Voltage Lifetime TDDB

(time dependent dielectric breakdown)

High Voltage Lifetime

Temperature and Voltage Effect

Competitive Comparison
High Voltage Lifetime
1/E or Best Fit Curve Model

Source:
TI: App note SLLA197 www.ti.com/iso721
Avago: App note AN1074 www.avagotech.com
ADI: Marketing collateral

Competitive Comparison
High Voltage Lifetime
Using widely accepted E-Model methodology

ISO72x: Life expectancy is 28 years at

560Vpeak or 400Vrms

Competition: Life expectancy < 10 years

ISO72x
ADUM1100

Fail-OPEN vs. Fail-SHORT Myth

ALL dielectric barriers fail-SHORT when a sufficiently large breakdown voltage is applied
OPTO-COUPLER (HCPL-0721)

MAGNETIC-COUPLER (ADuM1200ARZ)

Fail-OPEN vs. Fail-SHORT Myth (cont.)

CAPACITIVE-COUPLER (ISO7421D)

Detailed Failure Analysis report is available upon request.

E-field immunity Test Report

EN55022 Class B Radiations Testing

1Mbps: Comparison of Radiated Noise Spectrum Antenna Horizontal

ADuM1201: 1Mbps
operation @ 5V Vcc

ISO7221: 1Mbps
operation @ 5V Vcc

EN55022 Class B Radiation Testing

25Mbps: Comparison of Radiated Noise Spectrum Antenna Horizontal

ADuM1201: 25Mbps
operation @ 5V Vcc

ISO7221: 25Mbps
operation @ 5V Vcc

E-field susceptibility Test Report

TI
Isolator

ADI
Isolator

E-field susceptibility Test Report

TI Isolator

Si Labs
Isolator

Competitive Comparison
Magnetic Immunity
IEC 61000-4-8

1KHz Field Frequency

106 x higher Immunity than ADI

Product Portfolio

Digital Interface Isolation - Portfolio

Single Channel Signal Isolators:

ISO72x
4000Vpeak Isolation
560Vpeak continuous
Signaling Rate Options

(ISO721/2: 100Mbps, ISO721/2M: 150 Mbps)

UL 1577, IEC 60747-5-2 (VDE 0884, Rev. 2),
IEC 61010-1 and CSA Approved
3.3V/5V Operation (any combination)
25 kV/s Transient Immunity and
High Electromagnetic Immunity
Failsafe Output and High Impedance at Input and Output with
Low Vcc

Multi-Channel Stand-alone Isolators: Duals

x designates speed option: A = 1Mbps; B = 5Mbps; C = 25Mbps; M =

150Mbps

Multi-Channel Stand-alone Isolators: Duals

Low Power

x designates
Speed option: E = >50Mbps &
Default Output: F = Low, No letter = High

Multi-Channel Stand-alone Isolators:

Triples
x

x designates speed option: A = 1Mbps; C = 25Mbps; M = 150Mbps

All in DW package

Multi-Channel Stand-alone Isolators:

Quad-channel
x

x designates speed option: A = 1Mbps; C = 25Mbps; M = 150Mbps

All in DW package

Isolated 485 Transceivers

ISO308x, ISO1x, ISO3x Standard RS-485
3.3V and 5V
half-duplex and full-duplex
(176 and 180 configuration)
1Mbps and 25Mbps
no ISODE output

ISO1176 : Isolated ProfiBus

5V
half-duplex
25Mbps
optimized for Profibus-Applications
ISODE available

Isolated CAN Transceiver

ISO1050
5V CAN transceiver
ISO11898 compliant
3.3V/5V isolated logic interface
High EM Immunity
15kV/us transient immunity
Bus fault protection of -27V to 40V
Dominant timeout function
Thermal Shutdown protection
High Input impedance with low Vcc
1Mbps

ISO RS-485 with Transformer Driver

Part #

Duplex

Function

Speed

Package

ISO1176T

Half

Profibus

40Mbps

SOIC-16 (DW)

ISO35T

Full

3V
RS485

1Mbps

SOIC-16 (DW)

ISO3086T

Full

5V
RS485

20Mbps

SOIC-16 (DW)

ISO5500

Isolated IGBT Driver with integrated safety features

Silicon Integrated SiO2 Dielectric Capacitor

DESAT protection - fault feedback, soft turn
off, UVLO
200ns typ. prop delay, 10ns max pulse skew
4KV ESD on All Pins
3.3V and 5V Vcc1 Supported
Extended Temp Range: -40oC to 125oC
6000Vpk Transient / 1200Vpk Working voltage
- Wide SOIC Packages
- UL1577, IEC 60747-5-2, IEC 61010-1 & CSA

Industrial Motor Control

Industrial Power Supplies/ Inverters
HEV & EV power modules

E
V
M

ISO EVM - ISO5500

Proven Reliability of SiO2 Dielectric,

- Life Span > 25 years
Improved safety & system performance
Fast switching times
High Reliability in Harsh Environments
Flexibility with Power Supplies, enabling low
power application
Certified by all 3 World Wide agencies

SN6501 Transformer Driver for Isolated

Power Supplies
Released

Transformer Driver for Small 12V-s Transformers

Single 3.3V or 5V Supply
High Primary Side Current Drive:
350 mA max (5V Supply)
150 mA max (3.3V Supply)
Extremely low ICC
300 uA typ (5V Supply)
150 uA typ (3.3V Supply)
Low Ripple Permits Small Output Capacitors
Small 5-pin SOT-23 (2.9mm x 2.8mm) Package

Isolated Interface Power Supply

for CAN, RS-485, RS-422, RS-232,
SPI, I2C, Low-Power LAN
Industrial Automation
Process Control
Medical Equipment

Suitable for vast variety of applications

Ease of Isolated Power Design
Provides power to more than one component
Power efficient solution
High quality yet cheaper solution cost
Smaller board size compared to competing
solutions

ISO1540 / ISO1541
4 kVPK, Low-Power Bidirectional I2C Isolators

Isolated I2C, SMBus, PMBus Interfaces

Open-drain Network Interfaces
Power Over Ethernet
Power Supplies
Battery Management
Motor Control Systems
Level Shifting and Hot Swap Apps

Release
Aug 2012

Reduces Cost and Board Space

Single & Multi-Master Applications
Usable in Vast Majority of Applications
Ease of Use
Better reliability, immunity than Competition
Proven Reliability of SiO2 Dielectric, Stable
over Temperature & Moisture Isolation Life
Span > 25 years
Suitable for harsh Industrial Environments
Industry Standard Footprint. Compatible
with ADuM1250/1, Si8400/1 & Si8600/1

ISO1540
VCC1 1
SDA1 2
SCL1 3
GND1 4

ISO1541
8 VCC2

VCC1 1

7 SDA2

SDA1 2

6 SCL2

SCL1 3

5 GND2

GND1 4

8 VCC2
Isolation

Bidirectional I2C Communication

Uni- & Bidirectional Clock Options
Fast Mode Plus (1 Mbps) Operation
3-V to 5.5-V Operation
50 kV/s Typical Transient Immunity
4000 VPK VDE Isolation Rating
IEC, UL 1577, CSA certifications
8 kV ESD Protection on Bus Pins
Extended Temp Range -40C to 125C
8-pin Narrow-body SOIC package

Isolation

Samples
Now

7 SDA2
6 SCL2
5 GND2

Motor Control reference design

PLC reference design

Isolated CAN reference design

TI Makes Isolators Easy to Use

Get Started Today
Evaluation modules
Samples
Applications support
IBIS models
Data sheets
Technical documentation
Application notes on:
High-Voltage Lifetime
Magnetic Field Immunity
ISO72x Family of Digital
Isolators
Complements TIs industrial
product portfolio: interface,
data converter, DSP, MCU,
amplifier, power & logic

Contact: Neel Seshan (neels@ti.com)

Questions?

Singles, Duals, Triples, Quads

SINGLES

DUALS

TRIPLES

QUADS

Isolated Transceivers

Thank You!