There are three main technologies used for digital isolators, capacitive, magnetic, and giant magnetoresistive (GMR). This FAQ briefly looks at capacitive designs (they are covered in more detail in “What is a capacitive digital isolator”), then digs deeper into magnetic and GMR devices. Capacitive digital isolators use two CMOS dies connected with a capacitive isolation […]
Featured
FAQ on creepage and clearance: Part 2
Regulatory creepage and clearance requirements are increasingly affecting mainstream designs; understanding and meeting them is a complicated, multifaceted process. This part delves into more details on creepage and clearance. Q: What are the key standards for defining creepage and clearance minimum values? A: It’s complicated. Different documents cover PCB creepage and clearance standards and requirements, […]
What are the key specifications of digital isolators? Part 2
Digital isolators have two primary functions, to provide isolation and to transmit information across the isolation barrier. Part one looked at the various specifications related to voltage and isolation performance. Part two details key specifications related to the transmission of information. Common‐mode transient immunity (CMTI) is one of three key specifications of digital isolators. The […]
What are the key specifications of digital isolators? Part 1
Digital isolators have two primary functions, to provide isolation and to transmit information across the isolation barrier. This first of two FAQs on digital isolator specifications looks at voltage and isolation specs. Part two details key specifications related to information transmission. Two basic voltage specs are: Working voltage (VIOWM) is the maximum rms, or corresponding […]
FAQ on creepage and clearance: Part 1
Regulatory creepage and clearance requirements are increasingly affecting mainstream designs; understanding and meeting them is a complicated, multifaceted process. Electrical, mechanical, and packaging designers who work with lower power rails of just a few tens of volts usually have few or no concerns about product safety with respect to stray voltage and user shock. Now, […]
What is a capacitive digital isolator?
Capacitive digital isolators consist of two digital CMOS dies connected with a capacitive isolation barrier. The barrier provides galvanic isolation to meet safety regulations, reduce noise from ground loops, and connect interface communication boards or subcircuits that operate with different supply voltages. They are used in power converters and motor drives, electric vehicles (EVs), consumer […]
‘Bharat Ka Chandra Uday:’ India becomes first nation to land on the lunar south pole
After a 40-day journey starting from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 successfully made a soft landing on the moon at 6:03 PM IST on August 23. This makes India the first nation to achieve a lunar landing near the moon’s south pole. With the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3, India is now 4th […]
August 2023 Issue: Automotive & Transportation Electronics
In this issue Smarter, safer, cheaper: how Ethernet will enable the car of the future The implementation of Ethernet as a universal standard throughout the automotive industry can optimize vehicle performance by reducing the number of electronic control units (ECUs) and associated wiring, thus enabling a smarter, cheaper, and safer future car. Zonal E/E will…
Advancing automotive networks: robust ESD protection for Ethernet applications
Ethernet technology has emerged as a robust and reliable solution for data communication in various industrial and computing applications. While its adoption in the automotive sector has been relatively limited, automotive Ethernet is gaining momentum due to its ability to deliver fast and resilient data transfer. With its high bandwidth, flexibility in bus topologies, and […]
FAQ on traction motors, part 3
Traction motors are optimized for locomotives, EVs, elevators, and other situations where high torque at start-up and low speed is needed. The final part of this article examines additional traction-motor issues. Q: What about physical size and associated issues in traction-motor applications? A: Inner-city urban light-rail vehicle (LRV) floors are typically low since the stops […]
