Date: 27/02/2010

ADI's quad-channel digital isolators are automotive qualified

To address the growing market of electric and hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs), where battery management is critical, Analog Devices (ADI) has expanded its portfolio of AEC-Q100 products with the introduction of quad-channel digital isolators with integrated, isolated power.

The new ADuM540xW family incorporate ADI's proprietary isoPower integrated, isolated dc-to-dc converter technology, which provides up to 500 mW of regulated, isolated power at 5-V output. In an HEV application, this level of integrated isolation allows for power to be transferred across an isolation barrier ensuring monitoring of the battery without drawing from the battery's power.

ADI says, the ADuM540xW devices are a better choice over discrete solutions, such as optocouplers paired with external dc-to-dc converters, because their small 10-mm x 10-mm surface mount packages reduce the component count of discrete solutions to a single component, reducing board space by up to 70 percent and cutting costs by as much as 50 percent.

"Advances in battery technology for hybrid/electric vehicles require isolated power technology with higher levels of integration, temperature resistance and a digital interface that eliminates the need for external signal conditioning," said Bill Riedel, director automotive signal processing, Automotive Segment Group, Analog Devices. "ADI's iCoupler digital isolators with isolated power are not only smaller, they reduce power consumption by 50 percent compared to optocoupler solutions, which helps car manufacturers build even more environmentally sound vehicles."

Qualified for an AEC-Q100-40°C to +105°C automotive temperature rating, the ADuM540xW family is designed for HEV motor drives and battery management systems. The new AEC-Q100 isoPower isolators provide multiple isolation channels in different channel configurations and supports data rates up to 25 Mbps. The CMOS-based ADuM540xW family operates with the supply voltage on either side ranging from 4.5 V to 5.5 V.

Package: SOIC
Availability: Now
Price: Each $5.75 for 10 K pieces

For details visit www.analog.com