We just released the Si838x Isolator Family, the industry’s first high-speed, multi-channel PLC input isolators. We built them to meet the special demands of programmable logic controller (PLC) applications so they’re a compact, multi-channel, high-speed digital isolation solution for designers.

We wanted to address the many headaches designers face with PLC applications, such as high-noise environments causing optos to glitch and traditional solutions using optos that are high power, unstable, and low immunity. The Si838x Isolator Family addresses these concerns and more with an exciting new combination of high-speed channels, exceptional channel integration, bipolar input flexibility, high noise immunity, and 2.5k VRMS safety isolation previously unavailable.

Purpose-built solution for many PLC applications, the Si838x family is ideal for industrial I/O modules, computer numerical control (CNC) machines, and servo motor control as well as process automation controllers (PACs) used in distributed process control systems. 

And PLC developers can now easily migrate their optocoupler-based designs to state-of-the-art digital isolation technology and take advantage of higher performance, greater design flexibility, higher channel density, and long-term reliability due to an incredible list of features:

Si838x PLC Field Input Isolator Family Highlights

• Bipolar input capability offers flexible design options for sinking or sourcing PLC inputs
• Up to 8 channels in one package reduces board space for compact PLC designs
• High-speed 2 Mbps channels enable reliable servo motor control
• High noise immunity (50 kV/µs CMTI on high-speed channels) ensures reliable operation
• Parallel or SPI interface provides flexible design options
• Single SPI port supports 128 channels with 16 Si838x devices, saving control I/O pins
• User-programmable de-bounce capability using SPI
• 25-5.5 V VDD capability reduces power consumption for low-power controller interface
• Integrated 2.5k VRMS safety-rated isolation

To give designers a taste of the technology, we offer the Si838xISO-KIT evaluation kit for experimentation that includes:

• Si838xISO-EVB evaluation board
• Si8384P-IU – PLC input isolator with 4 high speed channels, and 8 total channels in 20 pin QSOP package

Learn more here.