Mitsubishi Motors Adopts Analog Devices’ Low-Power Isolation Technology For Next-Generation Electric Vehicle

“Mitsubishi Motors has demonstrated exemplary leadership and innovation in their approach to electric vehicle design and we are pleased that they selected our iCoupler digital isolation technology for the i-MiEV,” said Thomas Wessel, vice president, Automotive Group, Analog Devices. “Advances in battery technology for hybrid/electric vehicles require similar advances in isolation technology, such as higher levels of integration, temperature resistance and interfaces that eliminate the need for external signal conditioning. ADI’s digital isolation technology is effective for meeting these stringent requirements.”

ADI’s ADuM1402W and ADuM1201W iCoupler® digital isolators provide the means to transmit data across the safety isolation barriers between the high-voltage Li-ion battery system electronics and standard vehicle electronic systems. The iCoupler isolators addressed additional requirements such as small size, low power consumption, and extended battery life for longer cruising ranges and maximum service life for the vehicle.

iCoupler products consume one-tenth to one-sixth of the power of optocouplers at comparable signal data rates (e.g. 0.8 mA per channel maximum @ 0 Mbps to 2 Mbps during 3 V operation). iCoupler digital isolators are available in industry-standard, small RoHS-compliant, SOIC (small-outline integrated circuit) packages.

With more than 300 million channels deployed throughout the industry, ADI’s proven iCoupler technology is based on chip-scale transformers, rather than the LEDs and photodiodes used in optocouplers, which ensures higher data rates, lower power consumption, and more stability over the life time of the system. By fabricating the transformers using wafer-level processing, iCoupler channels can be integrated with each other and other semiconductor functions at low cost. iCoupler transformers are planar structures formed from CMOS and gold metal layers. A high breakdown polyimide layer underneath the gold layer insulates the top transformer coil from the bottom. CMOS circuits connected to the top coil and bottom coil provide the interface between each transformer and its external signals. Automotive grade versions are qualified for 125 degrees C operation per AEC-Q100. For more on ADI’s iCoupler digital isolation technology, visit: www.analog.com/icoupler.

Making a Difference in Automotive

As automobiles become more complex and rely on electronic systems, signal processing technologies are increasingly being used to create automobiles that provide more safety, performance, driving comfort, and become environmentally friendly. By combining over 40 years of signal processing experience with the industry's leading portfolio of reliable circuit designs, ADI is the semiconductor partner design engineers around the world are working with to address the most challenging signal chain requirements in the most advanced safety, infotainment, powertrain, and body/chassis electronics systems. ADI’s automotive offerings can be found at www.analog.com/automotive.