Technical Notes

The Avago Advantage

High Speed Optocouplers in Industrial
Communication Networks
Introduction
The ACSL-7210 is a dual-channel bi-directional 25 MBd high speed
digital optocoupler optimized for full duplex industrial communication
applications for example PROFIBUS fieldbus and Serial Peripheral
Interface (SPI). The ACSL-7210 utilizes Avago’s proprietary IC and
patented packaging technologies to achieve 3,750 VRMS signal
isolation in a low profile SO-8 package while supporting high speed
full-duplex data communications with data rates of maximum 40ns
propagation delay.
photodetector IC comes with two transparent layers: SiO2 passivation
or insulation, and light-transmissive polyimide on top. The LED
attaches to the photodetector IC with a transparent connecting layer.
Standard die attach process is used to make all the placements.
Unlike conventional standard LED that emits lights on the same side as
the metal contacts, Avago develops the back emission LED that emits
light from the reverse side of the LED. This allows LED to stack on top
of the detector IC.

Standard LED
Passivation P Metal Pad

Active Layer

VDD 1 1 8 VDD 2 Epi & Substrate N Metal Pad

Data Out Data In
VOA 2 7 VI A
Back Emission LED
P Metal Pad Passivation N Metal Pad
VIB 3 6 VOB

Data In Data Out

GND1 4 5 GND 2
Active Layer
Shield

ACSL-7210 Epi & Substrate

Figure 1: ACSL-7210 block diagram.

Patented Packaging and Stacked LED Technologies
Avago’s patented packaging process of stacking LED die directly on
a silicon IC substrate enables higher integration in monolithic IC
packaging and low profile. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of
one of the two channels in ACSL-7210. Input logic signal controls
the CMOS LED driver buffer IC, which supplies current to the LED. The
Figure 3: Standard LED vs Back Emission LED.
This patented packaging technology provides the advantage of high
integration, with ACSL-7210 being a dual-channel bi-directional
optocoupler utilize for PROFIBUS isolated data communication
applications. Another advantage is low profile package (See Figure
4). ACSL-7210 can be mounted on the back-side of the PCB board to
maximize the use of board space.

Light-Transmissive To LED Driver

Polymide Buffer IC
Transparent Stacked LED Double Mold Dielectric Planar
LED ~1.6 mm ~2.5 mm Placement ~2.5 mm
Connecting Layer
~3.2 mm
Photodiode IC SiO2
Passivation
Insulation
LED Figure 4. Profile packages comparison.
Ouput Input
Leadframe Leadframe
Industrial Communication Networks
Photodetector IC Dielectric LED Driver Buffer IC
Fieldbus (or field bus) refers to a family of industrial computer network
protocols used for real-time distributed control of instruments. As shown
Figure 2: Cross-sectional view of one channel in ACSL-7210.
in Figure 5, an automated industrial system such as a manufacturing

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assembly line usually needs an organized hierarchy of controller
systems to function. From the top hierarchy is a Human Machine
Interface (HMI) where an operator can operate the industrial
system. This is typically linked to a middle layer of programmable
logic controllers (PLCs) by a non-time-critical communications
system such as Ethernet. At the bottom of the control hierarchy is
the fieldbus that links the PLCs to the “assembly line” components,
such as sensors, actuators, electric motors, switches, and valves. In
such industrial environment, high voltages, magnetic fields and
noise are commonly present. High reliability is also critical to avoid
production downtime and ensure data transmission accuracy. Using
optocouplers such as ACSL-7210 address to these isolation needs.
Internet
Ethernet
FIELDBUS FIELDBUS
Figure 6 shows the typical application diagram for 25MBd bi-
directional ACSL-7210 and 10MBd ultra low power ACPL-M61L
providing isolation in PROFIBUS (RS485) communication. ACSL-
7210 isolates the transmitting and receiving data channels while
ACPL-M61L isolates the transmit enable signal.
Summary
With its patented packaging and stacked LED technologies, dual-
channel bi-directional 25MBd ACSL-7210 optocoupler meets
the high switching speed and small package size requirements
from industrial communication networks, for example PROFIBUS
applications in noisy industrial environments.
Reference
1. ACSL-7210 product page
www.avagotech.com/pages/en/optocouplers_plastic/plastic_
digital_optocoupler/high_speed_cmos_logic_gate/acsl-7210/
2. ACSL-7210 product brief
www.avagotech.com/docs/AV02-4094EN
3. White Paper “Fieldbus Applications with Optocouplers”
www.avagotech.com/docs/AV02-3090EN

Figure 5: Hierarchy of controllers and instruments in automated

industrial system.

VDD1 VDD2
Isolation
C4 U1
100n
1 8
Rx 2
VDD1 VDD2
7 Rx
VOA VIA
3 6
VIB VOB
Tx 4
GND1 GND2
5
Tx
ACSL-7210 VDD2
VDD1 VDD2
Isolation U3
U2 1 8
R1 RO VCC
1 AN VDD 6 2 7 Fieldbus
RE_ B
510 5 3
A 6
Network
VO DE
R2 3 (Twisted Cable)
CA GND
4
Tx Enable 4
DI GND
5

Tx Enable
ACPL-M61L RS485

Figure 6: Isolated PROFIBUS (RS485) communication using ACSL-7210 and ACPL-M61L.

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Data subject to change. Copyright © 2013 Avago Technologies