Date: 01/03/2011

New devices for galvanically isolating interface between MCU and power switch

Infineon has launched new family of device family called ISOFACE to provide galvanically isolated interface between the micro-controller or bus-ASIC and either load-switches or digital sensor and switch inputs. The ISOFACE targets applications such as industry automation systems such as Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), Distributed Control Systems, Industrial PCs, General Control Equipment and Sensor Input Modules.

The ISOFACE ISO1H8xxG's 8-channel high-side switches can drive any kind of resistive,inductive or capacitive loads. These devices offer an integrated galvanic isolation of 500VAC (EN60664-1, UL508). The ISOFACE ISO1I81xT product family of galvanically isolated 8-channel digital input ICs samples input data from digital sensors and switches. Infineon says compared with alternative solutions they enable up to four times more channels on the same PCB (Printed Circuit Board) area.

The digital input ICs can be directly connected to digital inputs like sensors or switches and the micro-controller or bus-ASIC. Robust galvanic isolation is integrated.

Infineon has displayed ISOFACE Digital Input product family ISO1I811T and ISO1I813T at Embedded World 2011 tradeshow in Nuremberg, Germany.

The ISOFACE Digital Input products sample information from multiple digital sources - such as sensors - in the automation system and transfer it to the CPU. Infineon claims its new solution offers communication frequencies of up to 500 kHz, substantially exceeding the traditional solutions, which depend on optocouplers. These are ideally suited for high-precision or high-speed applications like bottling machines or paper producing and printing equipment.

To improve the EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) robustness of the control systems each of the 8 inputs (according to IEC61131-2 / Type 1/2/3) of the ISO1I813T has individually programmable deglitching filters. The product's channel-specific diagnostic capability supports detection of failures like input wire-break between a sensor and an IC input. The device's supply voltage on the input side is monitored and in case of failures a two-staged warning signal is being sent to the CPU.

"The ISOFACE Digital Input family delivers very tangible benefits to OEMs and their customers," said Kurt Marquardt, Senior Director Marketing ASIC & Power IC of Infineon Technologies. "Infineon's new solution is much more energy-efficient, compact and reliable than any other solution. Thanks to the comprehensive diagnostic features, costly down-times can be significantly reduced."

This product related market research quote from Infineon: "Based on IMS Research (report August, 2010) the industrial control market size is projected to be 6.5 million systems in 2011 and poised to grow by 10 percent going forward. This translates into an annual market potential of well over 30 million units for the ISOFACE™ Digital Input products."

Availability: Now in samples

For details visit www.infineon.com/isoface