
ADuM6400/ADuM6401/ADuM6402/ADuM6403/ADuM6404
Rev. 0 | Page 19 of 24
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
THEORY OF OPERATION
The dc-to-dc converter section of the ADuM640x works on
principles that are common to most modern power supplies.
It is a secondary side controller architecture with isolated pulse-
width modulation (PWM) feedback. VDD1 power is supplied to an
oscillating circuit that switches current into a chip-scale air core
transformer. Power transferred to the secondary side is rectified
and regulated to either 3.3 V or 5 V. The secondary (VISO) side
controller regulates the output by creating a PWM control signal
that is sent to the primary (VDD1) side by a dedicated iCoupler
data channel. The PWM modulates the oscillator circuit to control
the power being sent to the secondary side. Feedback allows for
significantly higher power and efficiency.
The ADuM640x implement undervoltage lockout (UVLO) with
hysteresis on the VDD1 power input. This feature ensures that the
converter does not go into oscillation due to noisy input power or
slow power-on ramp rates.
A minimum load current of 10 mA is recommended to ensure
optimum load regulation. Smaller loads can generate excess noise
on chip due to short or erratic PWM pulses. Excess noise gener-
ated this way can cause data corruption, in some circumstances.
PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) LAYOUT
The ADuM640x digital isolators with 0.5 W isoPower integrated
dc-to-dc converters require no external interface circuitry for
the logic interfaces. Power supply bypassing is required at the
input and output supply pins (see
Figure 25). Note that a low
ESR bypass capacitor is required between Pin 1 and Pin 2, as
close to the chip pads as possible.
The power supply section of the ADuM640x uses a 180 MHz
oscillator frequency to efficiently pass power through its chip
scale transformers. In addition, normal operation of the data
section of the iCoupler introduces switching transients on the
power supply pins. Bypass capacitors are required for several
operating frequencies. Noise suppression requires a low
inductance, high frequency capacitor; ripple suppression
and proper regulation require a large value capacitor. These are
most conveniently connected between Pin 1 and Pin 2 for VDD1
and between Pin 15 and Pin 16 for VISO. To suppress noise and
reduce ripple, a parallel combination of at least two capacitors
is required. The recommended capacitor values are 0.1 μF and
10 μF for VDD1. The smaller capacitor must have a low ESR; for
example, use of a ceramic capacitor is advised.
Note that the total lead length between the ends of the low ESR
capacitor and the input power supply pin must not exceed 2 mm.
Installing the bypass capacitor with traces more than 2 mm in
length may result in data corruption. A bypass between Pin 1 and
Pin 8 and between Pin 9 and Pin 16 should also be considered
unless both common ground pins are connected together
close to the package.
VDD1
GND1
VISO
GNDISO
VIA/VOA
VIB/VOB
VIC/VOC
VDDL
VID/VOD
VIA/VOA
VIB/VOB
VIC/VOC
VID/VOD
VSEL
GND1
BYPASS < 2mm
GNDISO
08
14
1-
02
5
Figure 25. Recommended Printed Circuit Board Layout
In applications involving high common-mode transients, ensure
that board coupling across the isolation barrier is minimized.
Furthermore, design the board layout such that any coupling
that does occur equally affects all pins on a given component side.
Failure to ensure this can cause voltage differentials between pins,
exceeding the absolute maximum ratings specified in
Table 19,
thereby leading to latch-up and/or permanent damage.
The ADuM640x are power devices that dissipate about 1 W
of power when fully loaded and running at maximum speed.
Because it is not possible to apply a heat sink to an isolation
device, the devices primarily depend on heat dissipation into
the PCB through the GND pins. If the devices are used at high
ambient temperatures, provide a thermal path from the GND
pins to the PCB ground plane. The board layout in
Figure 25shows enlarged pads for Pin 8 and Pin 9. Large diameter vias
should be implemented from the pad to the ground, and power
planes should be used to reduce inductance. Multiple vias in the
thermal pads can significantly reduce temperatures inside the
chip. The dimensions of the expanded pads are left to the
discretion of the designer and the available board space.
THERMAL ANALYSIS
The ADuM640x parts consist of four internal die attached to a
split lead frame with two die attach paddles. For the purposes of
thermal analysis, the die is treated as a thermal unit, with the
highest junction temperature reflected in the θJA from Table 14. The value of θJA is based on measurements taken with the parts
mounted on a JEDEC standard, 4-layer board with fine width
traces and still air. Under normal operating conditions, the
ADuM640x devices operate at full load across the full temperature
range without derating the output current. However, following
section decreases thermal resistance to the PCB, allowing
increased thermal margins in high ambient temperatures.