Extended digital IO family addresses Industry 4.0 challenges

As manufacturing becomes increasingly automated, there is a stronger need for real-time decision-making and feedback-loop mechanisms. These intelligent Industry 4.0 systems require digital input ICs inside the PLCs to receive on/off status signals. Yet, for ease of integration throughout manufacturing environments, the devices must be robust, high-performing and compact.

Maxim's expanded portfolio of IEC61131-2-compliant digital input devices offers the industry's smallest solution size (by as much as 50%), features the lowest power dissipation (by as much as 60%), is up to six times faster and has the most robust performance (integrating one kilovolt of surge protection and integrated diagnostics). In addition, the family also includes a parasitically powered digital input that reduces power dissipation by up to 60 percent and does not require a discrete isolated power supply.

The newest digital input devices include:

• MAX22190 eight channel octal digital input with Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), accurate input current limiters, built-in surge protection of >1kV and wire break detection in a 5x5mm package.
• MAX22191 single-channel, parasitically powered digital input with accurate input current limiters and 250ns (max) propagation delay in a 2.8x2.9mm package.
• MAX22192 eight channel octal digital input with isolated SPI, wire break detection and accurate input current limiters in a 6x10mm package.
• MAX22195 high-speed octal digital input with parallel output and accurate input current limiters, 300ns (max) propagation delay, parallel interface, low power, low heat dissipation, fault tolerance with built-in diagnostics, configurability and a robust design in a 5x5mm 32-TQFN package.

These products enhance a digital IO family that also includes the MAX14912 and MAX14913 octal high-speed, switch/push-pull driver with integrated surge protection, diagnostics and fast/safe demagnetisation; the MAX14914 universal digital IO with surge protection, high-side switch/push-pull driver/digital input and an SPI interface; and the MAX14483 6-channel, high-density, high-speed, low-power digital isolator optimised for daisy chained SPI applications.

Kristin Schuetter, Vice President of Supplier Management, Semiconductors, at Mouser Electronics, stated: “With increasing decentralisation and miniaturisation of industrial process control technology, Mouser’s customers seek leading power control options. Maxim’s new family of digital inputs provides the small size and high performance needed across a vast spectrum of automated factory equipment.”

Tim Leung, Director, Business Management, Industrial Communications Business Unit, at Maxim Integrated, added: “Maxim is committed to providing a superior, robust family of digital IO devices with many flavours to meet the varying demands of automated manufacturing environments. The newest digital input products are poised to help take adaptive manufacturing to a new level.”

The MAX22190, MAX22191, MAX22192 and MAX22195 are available at Maxim’s website for $2.73, $0.57, $5.22 and $2.20, respectively (1000-up, FOB USA); they are also available from authorised distributors.