Isolators having a back-to-back configuration for providing electrical isolation between two circuits are described, in which multiple isolators formed on a single, monolithic substrate are connected in series to achieve a higher amount of electrical isolation for a single substrate than for isolators formed on separate substrates connected in series. Discrete dielectric regions positioned between isolator components forming an isolator provide electrical isolation between the isolator components as well as between the isolators formed on the substrate. The back-to-back isolator may provide one or more communication channels for transfer of information and/or power between different circuits.

In some examples, an isolation transformer can include a first wire having a first insulation thickness and a second wire having a second insulation thickness that is different than the first insulation thickness. The isolation transformer can further include a plurality of magnetic cores of magnetic material that can be configured to surround portions of each of the first and second wires along respective circumferences of the first and second wires to provide the isolation transformer.

An isolation transformer and an energy transfer device having an isolation transformer are disclosed. In an embodiments an isolation transformer includes an input winding, an output winding, a third winding, a capacitive element and a resistive element, wherein the capacitive element, the resistive element and the third winding are connected in series, and wherein the input winding, the output winding and the third winding are magnetically coupled.

A driving method and a driving device using the same are disclosed. The driving method controls a pulse transformer. The secondary winding of the pulse transformer is electrically connected to a control device. Firstly, positive charging electrical energy is delivered to the primary winding, thereby charging the control device. Then, the control device is disconnected from the secondary winding while the primary winding is in a high-impedance state. Finally, negative discharging electrical energy is delivered to the primary winding and the control device is electrically connected to the secondary winding, thereby discharging the control device, and the primary winding is in a low-impedance state after the step of delivering the negative discharging electrical energy to the primary winding.

Interface circuits for differential signal channels. The interface circuit includes, for example, a transformer, a common mode choke, and a bidirectional transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode. The transformer is coupled to two circuit side terminals of a differential signal channel. The common mode choke is coupled to the transformer. The common mode choke is also coupled to the two line side terminals of the differential signal channel via a first signal path and a second signal path. The bidirectional TVS diode includes a first output connection coupled to the first signal path. The bidirectional TVS diode also includes a second output connection coupled to the second signal path.

Isolators for high frequency signals transmitted between two circuits configured to operate at different voltage domains are provided. The isolators may include resonators capable of operating at high frequencies with high transfer efficiency, high isolation rating, and a small substrate footprint. In some embodiments, the isolators may operate at a frequency not less than 20 GHz, not less than 30 GHz, not less than 65 GHz, or between 20 GHz and 100 GHz, including any value or range of values within such range. The isolators may include inductive loops with slits and capacitors integrally formed at the slits. The sizes and shapes of the inductive loops and capacitors may be configured to control the values of equivalent inductances and capacitances of the isolators. The isolators are compatible to different fabrication processes including, for example, micro-fabrication and PCB manufacture processes.

An oscillator is coupled to a first side of a galvanic barrier for supplying thereto an electric supply signal. The oscillator is configured to be alternatively turned on and off as a function of a PWM drive signal applied thereto. A receiver circuit coupled to the galvanic barrier receives therefrom a PWM power control signal. A signal reconstruction circuit coupled between the receiver circuit block and the oscillator provides to the oscillator a PWM drive signal reconstructed from the PWM power control signal. The signal reconstruction circuit includes a PLL circuit coupled to the receiver circuit block and configured to lock to the PWM control signal from the receiver circuit block. A PLL loop within the PLL circuit is sensitive to the PWM drive signal applied to the oscillator. The PLL loop is configured to be opened as a result of the power supply oscillator being turned off.

A micro-isolator is described. The micro-isolator may include a first isolator element, a second isolator element, and a first dielectric material separating the first isolator element from the second isolator element. A second dielectric material may completely or partly encapsulate the second isolator element, or may be present at outer corners of the second isolator element. The second dielectric material may have a larger bandgap than the first dielectric material, and its configuration may reduce electrostatic charge injection into the first dielectric material. The micro-isolator may be formed using microfabrication techniques.

A laminated transformer-type transmitter-receiver device for transmitting or delivering electrical signals and/or power. The laminated device can include two metal shielding layers disposed between transmit and receive windings, which, in turn, are disposed between two magnetic layers. The laminated device further includes a dielectric isolation layer disposed between the two metal shielding layers. In the laminated device, no (or very little) common mode capacitance is distributed within the dielectric isolation layer, and no (or very little) common mode or leakage current flows across the dielectric isolation layer. As a result, various adverse effects of the common mode capacitance and the leakage current during operation of the laminated device are avoided.

According to one embodiment, in a magnetic coupler, a plurality of coils includes a first pattern and a second pattern. The first pattern includes a first winding portion and a second winding portion. The second winding portion is arranged in a first direction to the first winding portion. The second pattern is disposed adjacent to the first pattern along the first plane. The second pattern is arranged at a position corresponding to a boundary between the first winding pattern and the second winding pattern. The second pattern includes a third winding portion and a fourth winding portion. The fourth winding portion is arranged in a second direction to the third winding portion. The second direction is a different direction from the first direction. The fourth winding portion is wound in a reversed direction with the third winding portion.