High speed optocouplers

Agilent has introduced high speed optocouplers, claimed to be capable of transmitting data at a 50 megabaud (MBd) rate, allowing high speed collection and control in industrial automation applications where isolation is required.

Optocouplers separate and protect sensitive circuitry to allow safe interface between high and low voltages in electronic systems The Agilent optocouplers have a 2 nanoseconds pulse width distortion that helps maintain a high data rate over longer line distances.

Field bus communication networks such a PROFIBUS and DeviceNet make possible effective data collection and control in industrial automation. These networks, interconnecting sensors , actuators and controllers typically need isolation at each interface location to increase data integrity and provide protection from power faults and ground loop effects. As these communication networks migrate to higher speed data transmission rates, higher speed optocouplers are required.

The optocouplers are not only suitable for communication applications, but also for digital isolation for analog-to-digital conversion, digital I/O ports, computer peripheral interfaces and microprocessor system interfaces.