Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation has launched four dual-channel standard digital isolators designed to reduce power consumption and support reliable signal transmission in industrial equipment. Volume shipments of the new DCL32xx00 series have started.
The products target applications including programmable logic controllers (PLCs), actuators and inverters, where electrical isolation is used to protect circuits operating at different voltage potentials and prevent noise-related failures or malfunctions.
Low-Power Operation and Mid-Speed Communications
The four devices achieve typical current consumption of 0.2 mA per channel at 1 Mbps while supporting data transmission speeds of up to 25 Mbps, according to Toshiba.
The company said the products use its proprietary magnetic-coupling isolation technology alongside a new circuit design in the signal transmission section. The combination is intended to provide stable isolation performance while reducing energy consumption.
The DCL32xx00 series consists of two configurations. The DCL320C00 and DCL320D00 feature two forward channels for unidirectional digital signal transmission, including applications such as I2C communications.
The DCL321C00 and DCL321D00 each combine one forward and one reverse channel for bidirectional transmission, supporting applications such as UART communications.
This channel configuration gives equipment designers flexibility to select isolators according to their interface requirements without necessarily using higher-channel-count devices.
Designed for Industrial Operating Conditions
The new digital isolators have a minimum isolation voltage rating of 3,000 Vrms and operate across a temperature range of -40°C to 125°C. They support supply voltages from 2.25 V to 5.5 V.
Toshiba has packaged the devices in an industry-standard SOIC8-N package, addressing demand for smaller components as industrial equipment manufacturers seek to reduce system size while increasing functionality.
Electrical isolation is increasingly important as industrial equipment operates at higher speeds and incorporates more connected and power-intensive electronics. Noise generated by switching operations can affect signal integrity and potentially disrupt control systems.
At the same time, lower power consumption is becoming a design consideration as manufacturers seek to improve energy efficiency and reduce the operating footprint of industrial equipment.
Expanding Digital Isolator Portfolio
The DCL32xx00 launch follows Toshiba’s DCL34xx0B series of quad-channel standard digital isolators. With the addition of the four new products, Toshiba’s low-power standard digital isolator portfolio for industrial equipment now includes 10 devices.
The company also offers the DCL54xx01A and DCL52xx00 series for industrial applications requiring higher-speed communications, while its DCM34xx01 and DCM32xx00 series target automotive applications.
Toshiba said it plans to expand its digital isolator portfolio further through additional channel counts, package options and performance improvements. The company also maintains a range of photocouplers that provide optical isolation.
