The ISOvolt isolated dc/dc reference design is a low-cost, robust, isolated dc/dc converter capable of delivering a maximum of 3 W of output power. This isolated power converter enables Silicon Labs’ isolation products to be powered from a single bias supply, eliminating the need for separate supplies on both sides of the isolation device. This design features fold-back current limiting and thermal shutdown protection, low EMI operation, and high (78%) operating efficiency. Input voltage ranges are 3.3 or 4.5 Vdc to 5.5 Vdc and generate isolated output voltages of 3.3, 5.0, 7.0, or 24 V, depending on the transformer and output regulator used. The ISOvolt reference design is based on push-pull switching topology. The timing generator is a CT600-PX0624GM MCU, which has been factory-programmed to generate primary-side transformer switch timing.

The ISOvolt reference design board also contains digital isolator U3 (Silicon Labs’ Si864IBC with three forward channels and one reverse channel) for customer use. The combination of ISOvolt and the onboard isolator is useful in applications, such as isolated serial ports. The user can connect external signals to input blocks J1 and J2, and VOUT+ supplies bias to the output side of the isolator.

Si86xx isolator devices are CMOS-based galvanic isolators with isolation ratings up to 5 kV and designed for industrial, commercial, computing, telecommunications and medical applications. Available in various channel counts (1/2/3/4/5/6), speeds (1 and 150 Mbps) and two package options (narrow and wide body SOIC), as well as unidirectional and bidirectional (I²C) channels configurations.
There are two ISOvolt reference design kits available: ISOVOLT35-KITand ISOVOLT55-KIT, with  isolated  3 V/3 V or 5 V/5 V differentiation.