Bi-directional digital isolators improve flexibility

2nd June 2016

Nat Bowers

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Designers can save space and achieve more flexible designs with the latest two-channel, bi-directional digital isolators from Maxim Integrated Products. The MAX14933 and MAX14937 transfer digital signals between circuits in both directions and provide complete galvanic isolation between two power domains, all while using fewer components to save board space.

The MAX14933 and MAX14937 provide best-in-class speed, propagation delay, skew and jitter for timing sensitive applications while maintaining an extremely robust isolation barrier between two power domains.

Digital isolators are replacing optocouplers in many applications because they offer the same isolation capabilities while using less board space and consuming less power. The MAX14933 and MAX14937 provide high voltage isolation of 2.75 or 5kVrms, respectively. They support data rates from DC up to 1.7MHz and can be used in isolated I²C busses with or without clock stretching. Both products feature independent 2.25 to 5.5V supplies on each side of the isolator, and provide open-drain channels for applications that require data to be transmitted in both directions on the same line. Applications include power supplies, battery management systems, instrumentation and interfaces for I²C, SMBus or PMBus.

The MAX14933 and MAX14937 lower component count and system complexity to save space and interface with most MCUs and FPGAs running at various supply voltages, increasing flexibility. The devices' robust galvanic isolation provides more than 30 years lifetime at rated working voltage.

Tony Partow, Executive Business Manager, Maxim Integrated, commented: “These I²C, two-channel, bi-directional digital isolators provide a solution for designers who want to lower component count and system complexity."

Operating over a temperature range from -40 to +125°C, the MAX14933 is available in a 16-pin wide-body (10.3x7.5mm) or narrow-body (9.9x3.9mm) SOIC package while the MAX14937 is available in a 16-pin wide-body (10.3x7.5mm) SOIC package. Pricing starts at $1.80 for the MAX14933ASE, $2.00 for the MAX14933AWE and $3.29 for the MAX14937AWE (each in 1,000 unit quantities). Evaluation kits are also available for both products.