High Speed Digital Bus Isolator for Space Applications

NVE will produce and package IC's that monolithically integrate their existing high speed GMR signal isolator silicon into a prototype 800 Mbits/sec. 8 bit transceiver. Commercial high speed data bus interfaces between subsystems such as IEEE 1284 andIEEE 1194 have not been galvanically isolated due to performance, size and cost constraints. These interfaces would benefit from the inclusion of monolithically integrated high performance galvanic isolation barriers. The proposed device will eliminatenoise, cross talk, and ground bounce and allow highly parallel long distance bus architectures. Products will find wide application in aerospace, military and commercial applications which require both high speed transceiver circuitry and galvanic signalisolation. NVE has successfully integrated IsoLoopr galvanic monolithic isolation technology into single and dual channel transceiver silicon and will use this foundation to design/build isolated 8 channel 74245 type transceiver circuits and design 8channel 74574 type latch solutions. This technology simultaneously meets requirements for high speed, low power, noise immunity and design flexibility required for high performance data busses. The Phase II program develops 3.3 volt radiation tolerant 4or 8 channel die for production worthy 8 bit latch/transceiver designs. Products decrease component footprint, weight and power for other systems.This project will prove the feasibility of large scale implementation of NVE's Isoloop technology for use incomputer bus interface applications. External interfaces to computers often must interface through a multi-channel parallel bus structure that today cannot be practically isolated. These non isolated bus interfaces often cause internal damage to computersystems due to grounding problems. This specific commercial market potential is estimated to exceed $50M. If the project is successful, it could lead to a product that can solve this technological problem and expand and create new markets.