Recommendations for Control of Radiated Emissions with iCoupler Devices

Several standards for radiated emissions exist. In the U.S., the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) controls the standards and test methods. In Europe, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) generates standards, and CISPR test methods are used for evaluating emissions. The methods and pass/fail limits are slightly different under the two standards. Although this application note references IEC stand-ards, all results are applicable to both standards.

Data transitions at the input of iCoupler digital isolators are encoded as narrow pulses that are used to send information across the isolation barrier. These 1 ns pulses have peak currents of up to 70 mA and may cause radiated emissions and conducted noise if not considered during printed circuit board (PCB) layout and construction. This application note identifies the radiation mechanisms and offers specific guidance on addressing them through high frequency PCB design techniques.