As an alternative to opto-isolators, a range of Isoloop magnetic isolators from Rhopoint work by differentiating the incoming pulse and using the resultant edge to power a coil which creates a magnetic field for a short period of time.

This pulse then changes the state of a 1-bit magnetic memory which then is buffered to provide the output. The isolation is achieved between the coil and the 1-bit non-volatile magnetic memory.

The non-volatile nature of the magnetic memory used to lead to an undefined state at start up.

The IL500 series of IsoLoop isolators has a patented, controllable refresh clock to ensure I/O synchronisation within 9[micro]s while some devices in the series use an external synchronisation clock input.

All IL500 series isolator channels operate at 2Mbit/s over the full temperature and supply voltage ranges.

Maximum propagation delay is 25ns, and pulse-width distortion is 10ns.

The series is available in 1, 2, 3, and 4 channel models; the 1 and 2 channel models are available in either SOIC packages or 8 pin MSOPs. The 3 and 4 channel models are available in 16-pin SOIC packages.

The isolators operate over a supply-voltage range of 3 to 5.5V and temperature range of −40 to +85°C.

Typical transient immunity is 30kV/[micro]s.

More information: www.rhopointcomponents.com