ISOM8110-EP: Optocoupler Selection

Part Number: ISOM8110-EP
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: ISO7820, ISO6020, ISO6420, TMUX1101

Hello TI Team,

I need to electrically isolate two control signals generated by an FPGA from the switch-side ground.

The current configuration is:

FPGA (3.3 V logic) → isolation device → switch-side circuit

There are two loads on the isolated side:

  • One analog switch

  • One BJT used as a switch in an open-collector configuration

Both switches are currently controlled by separate 3.3 V logic signals from the FPGA.

I would like to completely isolate the FPGA ground from the switch-side ground.

Could you please advise on the correct signal path and interface circuit?

My questions are:

  1. Would the following architecture be appropriate?

    FPGA GPIO → digital isolator/optocoupler → isolated-side logic → analog switch / BJT switch

  2. For these two 3.3 V control signals, would a dual-channel digital isolator be preferable to a dual-channel optocoupler?

  3. Since one output drives an analog switch and the other drives a BJT in an open-collector configuration, what output/interface circuit should be used after the isolation device?

  4. What TI device would you recommend for this application?

  5. What power supplies and grounds should be used on each side of the isolation barrier to ensure that the FPGA ground and switch-side ground remain electrically isolated?

  6. Are there any important considerations regarding propagation delay, output drive capability, pull-up resistors, and isolation capacitance for this application?

I can provide the schematic and signal timing/frequency if required.

Please suggest the recommended isolation topology and signal path for this application.

  • Nishant,

    Thanks for all of the information, but yes please share a schematic or block diagram to make sure I understand your idea fully. From your initial description of FPGA GPIO -> digital isolator -> isolated logic -> switch makes sense to me, but I'd like a little more information before deciding on a device and proper grounding techniques.

    Regards,

    Eric Hackett 

  • i want isolation from FPGA ground command signal ground. Please tell is there any optocoupler isolation is good or something else. Simple circuitry needed 2 channels needed.

    • Please tell as I have 12 Volt supply ground that will be have ground as that of FPGA ground but in load side when switch on and off need to isolate that 12 V ground from that return path. In secondary I need some external supply or only connecting return path will make my design correct 
  • Nishant,

    Thanks again for all of this information. It seems like what is needed is a digital isolator to separate the FPGA from the switch side, and the only signals that need to cross the isolation barrier are 3.3V signals from the FPGA. An optocoupler could work but wouldn't be as straightforward as just a digital isolator with two channels. We have several options with different data rates and isolation levels, available: ISO6020, ISO6420, ISO7820, etc. 

    Please let me know if I'm oversimplifying your system, but again, it seems like separating the FPGA ground with the rest of the grounds in the system is your main objective, and the only signals coming from the FPGA to the rest of the system are 3.3V logic signals.

    Regards,

    Eric Hackett 

    1. Any automotive qualified AEC-Q100 or space Grade or MIL grade part is there available for this ? 
    2. And propagation delay should be minimum requirement best possible case 
    3. Can you please tell for the routing practice to be done in digital isolator that to be used 
  • Nishant,

    I'm going to allow my colleague to help out with this thread. Thank you for your patience, we should have a response within 24 hours.

    Regards,

    Eric Hackett 

  •   

    Is this correct way of operating switches BJT as switch in open collector configuration and analog switch present is TMUX1101 or I need to do something there? And in secondary side I have 24V Is there any part which is avaialble in secondary side can be Vcc2 of 24V or greater ? 

  • You also give automotive qualified optocoupler isolation option also with part number for this case . So that I can explore in that option also. Also please tell how digital isolator is good option than optocoupler. Also please tell 24V supply at secondary side I can put that option is required in both possibility 

  • Hi Nishant,

    Thanks for reaching out. 

    Looking at the information you have provided, it seems that you are trying to use an isolated device to drive a BJT and a switch while suppling 24V to the secondary isoalted side. Before we give a part recommendation, I would like to understand your system more. 

    Considering the schematic you have provided, it seems you are trying to drive the BJT and switch. Can you please provide the voltage and current requirements of the switch input, and what are the required collector/base voltage and current for the BJT?

    In a general sense, the optoemulator might be a great option for the BJ while the digital isolator might be a good option for the switch.

    Regards,
    Aaditya

  • Thanks Aaditya,

    • Is there one single part can be good or resolve the isolation issue for both analog switch and BjT as switch . If one part is not applicable for both application as switch . please provide correct reason and explanation for that . Means 2 channels device can't be used for both requirement.switch is having VCC of 5V and current of drain to source is approximately in 24-25 mA. And for BJT Open collector configuration is there. So That collector voltage is internally in the electronics circuit we need to drive bjt using base current which is max 1mA but current calculation seems in micro-ampere. FPGA commands given 3V3 level and 0V to turn on and turn off  bjt as switch to operate in Saturation and cutoff state. And analog switch tmux1101 is used. Can you please tell in schematic it is correctly done by using digital isolator that Vcc and gnd and sel pin and drain to source that is connected to load is correctly done to separate FPGA ground to the load ground in standby operation. As TMUX1101 is TI part you can refer that . If I am missing something.

    Thanks & Regards 

    Nishant Gupta 

  • Analog switch input is also given by FPGA with 3V3 level and 0V to operate switch on and off operation 

  • NIshant,

    For operating SEL pin of TMUX, Digital Isolator (ISO6420) is sufficient as it is a digital output (OUTB) to digital Input (SEL) operation.

    But for BJT, since it is a current controlled device, the OUTx pins cannot be assumed to drive the base of BJT. For VCC2=5V, the max current that OUTx pin can deliver is 4mA. 

    If the BJT's base requires >4mA, the ISO6420 is not a suitable option. If it is <4mA, then you can go ahead with the ISO6420 in the schematic above.

    Hope this clarifies your confusion. 

    If you have any specific questions on TMUX1101, request you to raise a new thread so that the right experts can guide you on that.

    Closing this thread now.

    Regards
    Varun

  • Then for BJT which is option you suggest best 

  • The most common advice that I can provide is to connect a series base resistor, Rb, between OUTx and the base terminal.

    It limits the base current to a safe level for both the driver and the transistor. Calculate Rb using the required saturation collector current Ic, choosing a forced beta/hfe of 10 to 20 to ensure hard saturation

    Regards
    Varun