Toshiba Launches Dual-Channel Digital Isolators for Lower Power Consumption in Industrial Equipment
Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation has introduced a new range of dual-channel standard digital isolators designed to help reduce power consumption and improve design flexibility in industrial equipment.
The new DCL32xx00 Series comprises four digital isolators: the DCL320C00, DCL320D00, DCL321C00 and DCL321D00. The devices combine low operating current, mid-speed data transmission, electrical isolation and a compact SOIC8-N package, making them suitable for a range of industrial communication and control applications.
Volume shipments of the new products have begun.
Low-power operation for industrial systems
Industrial equipment such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs), actuators, inverters and motor-control systems increasingly relies on electrical isolation to protect circuits operating at different voltage potentials. Isolation helps prevent noise and electrical disturbances from propagating between circuit sections, supporting reliable communication and stable equipment operation.
At the same time, industrial electronics are becoming smaller and more energy efficient. Reducing power consumption at the component level can help designers address system-level energy requirements while supporting more compact equipment designs.
The new DCL32xx00 Series addresses these requirements with a typical operating current of 0.2mA per channel at 1Mbps, under Toshiba’s specified measurement conditions. The devices can also support data transmission speeds of up to 25Mbps, providing a balance between low-power operation and communication performance.
Toshiba has incorporated a new circuit technology in the signal transmission section to achieve the low operating current. The devices also use the company’s proprietary magnetic coupling isolation technology, which transfers signals across an insulation barrier using a magnetic field.
Four configurations for different communication requirements
The DCL32xx00 Series is available in two channel configurations, allowing designers to select a device according to their system architecture.
The DCL320C00 and DCL320D00 feature two forward channels and no reverse channels. This configuration is designed for unidirectional digital signal transmission and can be used in applications such as I2C interfaces where signals need to travel in a single direction across the isolation barrier.
The DCL321C00 and DCL321D00, meanwhile, provide one forward channel and one reverse channel. This configuration supports bidirectional digital communication and is suitable for interfaces such as UART.
The four devices also provide different default output logic options. The DCL320C00 and DCL321C00 use a low default output logic, while the DCL320D00 and DCL321D00 use a high default output logic. This gives designers additional flexibility when integrating the isolators into control and communication circuits.
With the addition of these four products, Toshiba has expanded its portfolio of low-power standard digital isolators for industrial applications. Together with the previously introduced DCL34xx0B Series of quad-channel standard digital isolators, the company’s lineup now includes 10 low-power standard digital isolator products for industrial equipment.
Designed for demanding industrial environments
The new digital isolators are designed to operate across a broad temperature range of -40°C to 125°C, allowing them to be used in industrial environments where equipment may experience significant temperature variations.
The devices are rated for a minimum isolation voltage of 3000Vrms for 60 seconds at 25°C. They also support supply voltages ranging from 2.25V to 5.5V, enabling compatibility with a variety of system architectures and power-supply conditions.
The devices offer a maximum data rate of 25Mbps across the operating supply-voltage range and temperature range specified by Toshiba. Their maximum propagation delay is specified at 52ns, while common-mode transient immunity is rated at a minimum of 30kV/μs under the company’s test conditions.
These characteristics are intended to support reliable signal transmission in systems where electrical noise and rapid voltage transitions can affect communication between isolated circuit sections.
Compact SOIC8-N package
Space efficiency is another consideration in modern industrial equipment. To support compact designs, the DCL32xx00 Series is housed in an industry-standard SOIC8-N package.
The package has typical dimensions of 4.9mm × 6.0mm × 1.75mm, allowing the devices to be incorporated into circuit boards where board space is limited.
The combination of two-channel functionality and a compact package gives designers greater flexibility when developing isolated interfaces for industrial control equipment.
Broad range of industrial applications
The new digital isolators are intended primarily for I/O interface applications and can be used across several industrial systems.
Potential applications include industrial automation equipment, PLCs, field devices, sensors, actuators, motor-control systems, inverters and switching power supplies.
In PLC and industrial automation systems, for example, digital isolators can be used between controllers and external I/O circuits to provide electrical separation while maintaining communication. In motor-control and inverter applications, isolation can help separate control circuitry from higher-voltage sections of the system.
The DCL32xx00 Series can also support isolated communication interfaces where different sections of equipment operate at different voltage levels or require protection from electrical disturbances.
Expanding Toshiba’s isolation portfolio
The launch forms part of Toshiba’s broader effort to expand its semiconductor portfolio for industrial and automotive applications.
For industrial systems requiring higher-speed communications, Toshiba also offers the DCL54xx01A Series and DCL52xx00 Series of standard digital isolators. For automotive applications, the company provides the DCM34xx01 Series and DCM32xx00 Series.
The wider portfolio provides designers with options across different channel counts, communication speeds, package types and application requirements.
Toshiba also continues to offer photocouplers that provide optical isolation, complementing its digital isolator technologies and giving customers multiple approaches to electrical isolation in communication and control systems.
Supporting energy-efficient industrial equipment
As industrial equipment manufacturers work toward more compact and energy-efficient systems, semiconductor components that combine isolation, communication performance and low power consumption can play an important role in system design.
The DCL32xx00 Series addresses this requirement by combining a typical operating current of 0.2mA per channel at 1Mbps with communication speeds of up to 25Mbps. Its dual-channel configurations provide options for both unidirectional and bidirectional signal transmission, while the SOIC8-N package supports compact circuit designs.
Toshiba says it will continue expanding its digital isolator portfolio for industrial and automotive equipment, with a focus on broader channel-count and package options as well as continued performance improvements.
The new DCL320C00, DCL320D00, DCL321C00 and DCL321D00 digital isolators are now available for volume shipment, providing designers with additional options for implementing reliable, compact and lower-power isolated interfaces in industrial equipment.
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