High-Speed Optocoupler WL-OCHS for Digital Signal Transmission

In industrial automation and medical technology, secure communication between circuit components requires absolutely reliable galvanic isolation. To meet this operational requirement, Würth Elektronik is expanding its optoelectronics portfolio with the high-speed optocoupler WL-OCHS, which ensures fast digital signal transmission under extreme electromagnetic conditions.

Engineering Context and Operational Challenges
The increasing connectivity and miniaturization in industrial controls, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and medical devices lead to a higher density of electronic components. This physical proximity increases the risk of voltage flashovers and electromagnetic interference, which can damage microcontrollers, FPGAs, and DSPs or distort data signals. While conventional optocouplers provide galvanic isolation, they often exhibit switching delays that are too high to keep up with modern serial communication interfaces operating at high data rates. Engineers therefore require isolation components that offer both high interference immunity and minimal latencies for time-critical and safety-relevant applications.

Technical Explanation and Operating Principle
The high-speed optocoupler WL-OCHS utilizes optical signal transmission to establish secure galvanic isolation between input and output circuits with an isolation voltage of up to 5000 VRMS. The component achieves data rates from 1 MBd to 10 MBd and features extremely short switching times (tpHL/tpLH) in the range of 100 ns to 1500 ns. These reduced delay times enable more precise clock synchronization and faster data communication compared to conventional standard optocouplers. A crucial technical feature is the high CMTI (Common Mode Transient Immunity). This characteristic ensures that even with abrupt and rapid voltage changes between the primary and secondary sides, no erroneous signal changes are triggered. Additionally, the optocoupler is equipped with a copper lead frame, which increases resistance to corrosion and environmental influences, significantly enhancing the mechanical and thermal robustness of the entire series.

Product Relevance and Industrial Applications
Through the combination of high transmission speed and strong EMC interference immunity, the optocoupler is optimally suited for use in harsh production environments with high electrical noise levels. Primary fields of application include measurement and control technology, complex automation systems, and medical devices where protecting patients and users from dangerous fault currents is the highest priority. The WL-OCHS can be seamlessly integrated into existing serial communication interfaces such as UART, SPI, or RS-232/RS-485, stabilizing signal quality. The component is available from stock immediately, and developers can receive free samples for the prototyping phase upon request.

Additional Context
This section details technical specifications and competitive benchmarking not included in the original product announcement.

In the field of galvanic isolation technology, the technological trend is increasingly shifting from simple optical isolators to high-speed derivatives to handle the rising bandwidth requirements of networked machines. An isolation strength of 5000 VRMS corresponds to common industrial safety standards for reinforced isolation in highly stressed power supplies. Common Mode Transient Immunity (CMTI) is a critical benchmark for isolators operated in the vicinity of fast-switching power semiconductors, such as silicon carbide (SiC) or gallium nitride (GaN) transistors, as these can generate enormous slew rates. High CMTI in such system architectures effectively prevents bit errors in digital data transmission and guarantees the functional safety of motor drives, high-voltage inverters, and decentralized control units.

Edited by Maria Brueva, Induportals editorial team – adapted by AI.

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