{"id":82092,"date":"2026-02-09T07:20:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T10:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/automotive.einnews.com\/article\/890668239"},"modified":"2026-02-09T07:20:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T10:20:00","slug":"dual-channel-digital-isolators-to-improve-automotive-system-performance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/2026\/02\/09\/dual-channel-digital-isolators-to-improve-automotive-system-performance\/","title":{"rendered":"Dual-channel Digital Isolators to Improve Automotive System Performance"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Diego de Azcu\u00e9naga<\/strong><\/p>\n

Toshiba has introduced four new AEC-Q100-certified, high-speed, two-channel digital isolators. The DCM32xx00 series is designed to deliver robust performance and support data transmission speeds of up to 50 Mbps. Onboard chargers and battery management systems used in electric vehicles are improving safety and reliability thanks to the design of these devices.<\/p>\n

In an exclusive interview with Electropages, Kazuhiro Natori, Manager, Semiconductor Product Marketing at Toshiba Electronics Europe GmbH, emphasized that the isolators have the capability to resist common-mode electrical noise across input and output terminals, supporting consistent control signal integrity.<\/p>\n

Increased reliability of automotive systems<\/h2>\n

\u201cToshiba\u2019s DCM32xx00 series digital isolators enhance reliability by delivering robust noise immunity and stable signal transmission even under harsh conditions,\u201d Natori said. With a high typical common-mode transient immunity (CMTI) of 100 kV\/\u00b5s, they help prevent signal disturbances caused by fast-switching transients, a common challenge in automotive environments such as onboard chargers (OBC) and battery management systems (BMS). \u201cThis ensures critical subsystems maintain reliable communication and operation throughout the vehicle\u2019s lifespan,\u201d Natori added.<\/span><\/p>\n

Features to deliver robust performance<\/h2>\n

Key design attributes include Toshiba\u2019s proprietary magnetic coupling technology, high CMTI performance, and low pulse-width distortion of 0.8\u202fns (typ.). Devices in this series support data rates up to 50\u202fMbps and operate across a supply voltage range of 3.0\u202fV to 5.5\u202fV. \u201cThe 8-pin SOIC package is optimised for compact automotive systems and ensures thermal stability up to 125\u00b0C. Additionally, configurations with one forward and one reverse channel support bidirectional communication,\u201d Natori explained. The use of two isolated semiconductor dies in a dual-insulation structure enhances safety, even if one insulation layer degrades, the other maintains protection. This design is instrumental in meeting the insulation life and surge withstand requirements of standards such as VDE V 0884-11 and IEC 61000-4-5, contributing to the long-term functional safety of powertrain and energy storage systems in EVs.<\/p>\n

Improve the safety and reliability in electric vehicles<\/h2>\n

In systems such as OBCs and BMSs, galvanic isolation is essential to prevent cross-domain faults and to protect low-voltage control units from high-voltage transients. \u201cBy isolating control signals with high CMTI and fast propagation times, DCM32xx00 devices safeguard signal integrity and prevent latch-up or erroneous switching,\u201d Natori said. Beyond immediate circuit protection, this enhanced isolation capability is critical for maintaining overall vehicle stability under diverse operating conditions.<\/p>\n

Advanced magnetic coupling technology<\/h2>\n

\u201cThese digital isolators adopt a proprietary magnetic coupling architecture based on on-chip transformer structures formed by integrated coils,\u201d Natori explained. The input-side coil modulates the logic signal into a high-frequency carrier using an on-off keying method, which is then transmitted across an insulation barrier via magnetic induction. This enables complete galvanic isolation between input and output without a physical electrical connection. <\/p>\n

\u201cA key benefit of this method is its robustness in high-voltage environments. The DCM32xx00 series achieves a typical common-mode transient immunity (CMTI) of 100 kV\/\u00b5s, ensuring signal stability even in the presence of steep voltage transients commonly found in automotive power systems,\u201d Natori noted. Overall, the magnetic coupling approach offers excellent noise immunity, a long insulation life, and a compact footprint<\/p>\n

Support stable operation of connected systems<\/h2>\n

Digital isolators like the DCM32xx00 series play a critical role in maintaining precise and reliable signal timing between subsystems that operate at different voltage domains. \u201cTheir high CMTI performance ensures that even in the presence of fast voltage transients or ground potential shifts, the signal output remains unaffected,\u201d Natori said. \u201cThis is crucial in environments where electric motors, power switches, and charging circuits generate frequent switching events and common-mode noise.\u201d<\/p>\n

The series also features low propagation delay and low pulse-width distortion (PWD), with a typical PWD of just 0.8\u202fns. This allows for near-synchronous signal transmission, which is especially important in high-speed control interfaces such as PWM gate drive signals or digital communication links. \u201cBy ensuring minimal timing skew and logic level distortion, the DCM32xx00 devices help preserve the accuracy of control loops and prevent data corruption, ultimately contributing to stable system operation and safety compliance,\u201d Natori added.<\/p>\n

Configuration options<\/h2>\n

The DCM32xx00 series offers two-channel configurations to support both unidirectional and bidirectional signal transmission:<\/p>\n