Analog Devices Enables Isolated USB Connections For Medical & Industrial Equipment
Analog Devices, Inc. has introduced what the company calls the industry’s first single-IC USB isolator (universal serial bus isolator), which is said to simplify isolated USB-port implementation in system-critical medical and industrial equipment. USB ports provide a standardized, straightforward way to connect and disconnect peripheral devices to and from a computer without rebooting or turning off the system.
Leveraging ADI’s iCoupler® digital isolation technology, the ADuM4160 USB isolator offers 5kV rms medical-grade isolation, upstream short-circuit protection, and fully isolated 1.5- and 12-Mbps data rates (IEC 60601-1 medical safety approvals pending). The USB 2.0-compliant device provides fully isolated USB functionality at a fraction of the cost and complexity of current data isolation methods, and makes it possible for medical and industrial design engineers to cut implementation costs by up to 25%, reduce the size of designs by as much as 50%, and trim development time from months to weeks.
"ADI’s new USB isolator provides design engineers with a groundbreaking alternative to expensive and time-consuming USB isolation schemes that require complex, space intensive transceivers to convert USB’s differential, bidirectional signals into signals that are more compatible with traditional, discrete isolators," said Ronn Kliger, Product Line Director, Isolation Products, Analog Devices. "The ADuM4160 contains all USB signaling and isolation in one small IC."
Based on Analog Devices’ ICoupler technology, which combines high-speed CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) and chip-scale, micro-transformer technology, the ADuM4160 can be implemented easily in low- and full-speed USB-compliant systems. It operates off the 5V USB supply or system-supplied 3.3V power using an internal regulator. The ADuM4160 also provides isolated control of the pull-up resistor, allowing the peripheral to control connection timing. The device’s low idle current (2mA, max) eliminates the need for a suspend state.
"Medical designs have typically used isolated RS-232 or Ethernet connections that limit data transfer rates, do not support plug-and-play functionality, and take up excessive space," said Patrick O’Doherty, Healthcare Segment Director, Analog Devices. "The ADuM4160 USB isolator’s reinforced, medical-grade isolation makes it possible for engineers to design USB-enabled medical devices that help facilitate better patient care."
The ADuM4160 USB isolator is sampling now and will be available in production quantities in June 2009. They are priced (1,000 piece quantities) at $4.89.
