| Operates under any load in harsh industrial environments
| 100kV/µs CMTI characteristics with CMOS isolation technology
Higher reliability than optocoupler-based isolation technology

Silicon Labs announced on the 29th that it is launching a family of isolated smart switches designed to operate under any load in harsh industrial environments.

The Si834x isolated switch family is suitable for driving resistive and inductive loads, such as solenoids, relays, and lamps, used in industrial control systems such as PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), I/O modules, relay drivers, and servo motor controllers.

Silicon Labs' new galvanic isolation product, which uses CMOS-based isolation technology for safety, provides superior reliability and performance compared to existing optocoupler-based isolation technology, including Common-Mode Transient Immunity (CMTI) characteristics of over 100kV/µs.

The Si834x isolated switch family supports high-side and low-side switch options, low on-resistance (145mΩ RON), a continuous current of up to 700mA compliant with IEC 61131-2 standards, comprehensive protection and diagnostic reporting, advanced settings, and monitoring and control functions for industrial automation systems. />
The logic interface can be configured simply with four low-power CMOS digital inputs, or as a serial peripheral interface (SPI) capable of controlling up to 128 channels with four MCU pins.

Sample and mass-produced products of the Si834x family are currently being supplied in a DFN-32 package with an ePAD (exosed center pad) in a 9 x 9 mm size.

The price of the Si834x4x family, which supports a parallel interface, is $1.9 per unit based on an order quantity of 100,000 units, and the Si834x8x switch, which supports SPI, is $2.09 per unit based on a quantity of 100,000 units.

Silicon Labs offers the Si834x evaluation kit with parallel or SPIC interfaces and sink/source output options.

Brian Mirkin, Vice President and General Manager of Power Products at Silicon Labs, said, “The Si834x isolated smart switch family embodies Silicon Labs’ third-generation innovative technology for industrial automation applications.”

"The Si834x product family complements Silicon Labs' PLC input isolators and isolated FET drivers," they added. "The Si834x switch surpasses optocouplers, power FETs, and other competing technologies by providing a fully integrated 24V digital output solution that supports best-in-class switch protection, flexible configuration, and extensive diagnostic feedback capabilities."