Analog Devices Releases Integrated, Isolated DC-DC Converter With Chipscale Transformer Technology
Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) is expanding its family of interface products with what it describes as the industry’s first fully isolated single-package surface mount RS-232 transceiver with integrated dc-to-dc converter to supply isolated power. Featuring a very small form factor SMT (surface-mount technology) package, the ADM3251E transceiver integrates a line driver, line receiver, oscillator, rectifier, regulator, voltage doubler, voltage inverter and transformers into a single-chip solution that isolates both the data and power lines on chip. The highly integrated device is said to provide a robust serial communications interface with isolated power for use in harsh HVAC, industrial and medical applications.
The ADM3251E transceiver incorporates ADI’s ICoupler® and isoPower™ isolation technologies and is said to be the first surface mount RS-232 transceiver to feature full isolation of both the data lines and power. With a 2.5kV isolation rating, the new RS-232 transceiver complies with industry-standard isolation regulations, including UL1577 and DIN VDE 0884-10, ensuring it will meet the robustness levels required in noisy operating environments such as isolated RS-232 diagnostic data ports in HVAC building control systems, industrial automation and control applications, point-of-sale equipment, programmable logic controllers, telecom and medical equipment.
The ICoupler digital isolators condition and drive data across transformers. ADI’s isoPower dc-to-dc converter uses the same chipscale transformer technology, but instead of transmitting data, isoPower employs switches, rectifiers, and regulators to generate power that is isolated to the same degree as the data channels.
The ADM3251E is available now in production quantities and comes housed in a Pb-free 13 – 10.56mm (138mm²) 20-lead WSOIC (wide body small outline integrated circuit) surface-mount package. The transceiver is priced at $2.99 per unit in 1,000-unit quantities.
