New portfolio of isolation devices from TI

20th September 2023

Sheryl Miles

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Texas Instruments has introduced its new opto-emulator portfolio of signal isolation semiconductors, designed to improve signal integrity, consume less power, and extend the lifetime of high-voltage industrial and automotive applications.

TI’s inaugural opto-emulators are pin-to-pin compatible with the industry’s most common optocouplers, enabling seamless integration into existing designs while leveraging the benefits of silicon dioxide (SiO2)-based isolation technology.

“Today’s push for electrification, coupled with the intricacies of designing high-voltage systems, presents a need for engineers to increase the performance and lifetime of their products while ensuring the right level of isolation,” said Tsedeniya Abraham, General Manager of Interface Products at Texas Instruments. “Our new portfolio of opto-emulators not only addresses the growing need for reliable and affordable isolation, but also exemplifies our commitment to investing in high-voltage technologies.”

Increase reliability with TI’s SiO2-based isolation

Optocouplers, which integrate an LED to isolate the signal, have historically been a common choice among engineers. However, optocouplers typically require upfront overdesign to compensate for the inevitable aging effects of LEDs. TI’s opto-emulators eliminate the need for overdesign by using SiO2 for the isolation barrier, removing the effects of LED aging altogether. With a high dielectric strength of 500 VRMS/µm, TI’s SiO2 isolation barrier enables the new portfolio of devices to protect end-product designs for more than 40 years. Opto-emulators also provide isolation protection as high as 3,750 VRMS, while reducing power consumption by as much as 80%.

Additionally, the portfolio is able to withstand wide operating temperature ranges from –55°C to 125°C, while providing common-mode transient immunity up to 10x higher than optocouplers. The benefits of TI’s new opto-emulators, can be found in the technical article, “Opto-Emulators Explained: Why You Should Upgrade Your Optocoupler Technology.”

TI’s new opto-emulator portfolio builds on the company’s commitment to helping engineers unlock the power of high voltage.

Package, availability, and pricing

Preproduction quantities of opto-emulator products are available now at TI.
Package options as small as 4.8mm by 3.5mm.
Evaluation modules start at $19.00.
Multiple payment and shipping options available.
Automotive versions of opto-emulator products are expected to be available in 2024.