Avago Technologies Introduces Industry's First High-Speed Optocoupler Optimized for Use in Automotive Applications

Avago Technologies, the world's largest privately held semiconductor company, today introduced the industry's first high-speed optocoupler designed specifically to meet the performance and reliability requirements of the automotive market, especially for hybrid electric vehicles. These vehicles combine an electric motor and battery systems with traditional auto engines. The next-generation vehicles are expected to have even higher-powered batteries, high efficiency battery charging and high performance electric motor systems. Such highly driven systems will require isolation in the electrical systems to prevent unwanted interference, and provide reliable operation in automotive environments.

The 1 MBd ACPL-M43T uses a new Avago-developed LED that provides higher light output at lower drive current -- 10 mA (typical), compared to16 mA for other optocouplers - high common mode rejection (CMR) performance of 30kV/microsecond and a temperature performance range from -40 to 125oC. To increase reliability, an enhanced bonding process for both the integrated circuit and leads provides redundancy and reduces the potential for wire breakage caused by shock and vibration. The auto-insertable SO-5 surface-mount package (lead-free option available) uses an improved lead frame, which provides better heat dissipation than conventional lead frames.

The ACPL-M43T is ideal for driving intelligent power module (IPM) control electronics in the automotive battery DC-DC converter and electric motor inverter systems. In addition, its high-speed operation also makes it perfect for providing digital isolation in robust automotive CANBus serial communication applications.

"Our new automotive optocoupler demonstrates how we will make new inroads as a high-quality supplier in the automotive market, meeting the industry's specifications with stringent design and manufacturing processes to ensure robust and reliable products," said Kheng-Jam Lee, worldwide marketing manager for isolation products in Avago Technologies' Optical Communication Solutions Division.

Approval in accordance with the following safety standards is pending: UL 1577 and CSA File CA88324 (Notice #5). In addition, Avago has created a special reliability and automotive qualification plan to meet the AECQ100 test guidelines for integrated circuits, which was developed by the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIGA).