6
ISO213
DISCUSSION
OF SPECIFICATIONS
ISO213 is intended for applications where isolation and
input signal conditioning are required. The best signal-to-
noise performance is obtained when the input amplifier gain
setting is such that F
B
pin has a full scale range of
±
10V. The
bandwidth is internally limited to typically 1kHz, making
the device ideal for use in conjunction with sensors that
monitor slowly varying processes. To power external func-
tions or networks, 3mA at
±
14V typical is available at the
isolated port.
LINEARITY PERFORMANCE
ISO213 offers non-linearity performance compatible with
12-bit resolution systems (0.025%). Note that the specifica-
tion is based on a best-fit straight line.
INPUT PROTECTION
The inputs of ISO213 are individually protected for voltages
up to
±
40V. For example, a condition of –40V on one input
and +40V on the other input will not cause damage. Internal
circuitry on each input provides low series impedance under
normal signal conditions. To provide equivalent protection,
series input resistors would contribute excessive noise. If the
input is overloaded, the protection circuitry limits the input
current to a safe value of approximately 1.5mA to 5mA. The
typical performance curve “Input Bias Current vs Input
Overload Voltage” shows this input current limit behavior.
The inputs are protected even if the power supplies are
disconnected or turned off.
USING
±
V
SS
TO POWER EXTERNAL CIRCUITRY
The DC/DC converter in ISO213 runs at a switching fre-
quency of 25kHz. Internal rectification and filtering is suf-
ficient for most applications at low frequencies with no
external networks connected.
The ripple on
±
V
SS
will typically be 100mVp-p at 25kHz.
Loading the supplies will increase the ripple unless extra
filtering is added externally; a capacitor of 1
μ
F is normally
sufficient for most applications, although in some cases
10
μ
F may be required. Noise introduced onto
±
V
SS
should
be decoupled to prevent degraded performance.
THEORY OF OPERATION
ISO213 has no galvanic connection between the input and
output. The analog input signal is multiplied by the gain of
the input amplifier and accurately reproduced at the output.
A simplified diagram of ISO213 is shown in Figure 2. The
design consists of a DC/DC converter, an uncommitted
input instrumentation amplifier, a modulator circuit and a
demodulator circuit with a gain of 0.5. Magnetic isolation is
provided by separate transformers in the power and signal
paths.
The DC/DC converter provides power and synchronization
signals across the isolation barrier to operate the instrumen-
tation amplifier and modulator circuitry. It also has suffi-
cient capacity to power external input signal conditioning
networks. The uncommitted instrumentation amplifier may
be configured for signal buffering or amplification, depend-
ing on the application.
The modulator converts the input signal to an amplitude-
modulated AC signal that is magnetically coupled to the
demodulator by a miniature transformer providing the
signal-path isolation. The demodulator recovers the input
signal from the modulated signal using a synchronous tech-
nique to minimize noise and interference.
FIGURE 1. Power Supply and Signal Connections Shown for Non-Inverting, Unity Gain Configuration.
0.1μF
R
G
Gain
Set
8
7
5
6
NOTE: (1) 10μF decoupling to be used with external loads connected
–V
SS
+V
SS
3
2
–V
IN
Com 1
1
V
IN
V
OUT
38
37
32
V
OUT
ACom 2
Com 2
34
35
Clock
Out
Clock
In
31
+V
CC
+
+
(1)
(1)
+V
IN
F
B
4
Input Ground Plane
Output Ground Plane
+15V
Isolation
Barrier
V
IN
F
B
50k
R
G
= 1 +
10μF
10μF
10μF Tantalum
+
100μH
V
IN
V
OUT
= 50k
G
1 +