The ADuM1250/ADuM1251 are hot swappable digital isolators with nonlatching, bidirectional communication channels that are compatible with I²C interfaces. This eliminates the need for splitting I²C signals into separate transmit and receive signals for use with standalone optocouplers.

The ADuM1250 provides two bidirectional channels, supporting a complete isolated I²C interface. The ADuM1251 provides one bidirectional channel and one unidirectional channel for applications where a bidirectional clock is not required.

Both the ADuM1250 and the ADuM1251 contain hot swap circuitry to prevent glitching data when an unpowered card is inserted onto an active bus.

These isolators are based on the iCoupler^® chip scale transformer technology from Analog Devices, Inc. iCoupler is a magnetic isolation technology with functional, performance, size, and power consumption advantages as compared to optocouplers. With the ADuM1250/ADuM1251, iCoupler channels can be integrated with semiconductor circuitry, which enables a complete isolated I²C interface to be implemented in a small form factor.

Applications

• Isolated I²C, SMBus, or PMBus interfaces
• Multilevel I²C interfaces
• Power supplies
• Networking
• Power over Ethernet
• Hybrid electric vehicle battery management 

At least one model within this product family is in production and available for purchase. The product is appropriate for new designs but newer alternatives may exist.