ADuM3160 USB Digital Isolator Module – USB 2.0 Low/Full Speed, 2.5kV Isolation

The ADuM3160 USB Digital Isolator Module is designed to provide galvanic isolation between a USB host and a connected USB peripheral, helping protect equipment and reduce problems caused by ground loops, electrical noise, common-mode transients, and differences in ground potential.

Based on the Analog Devices ADuM3160 iCoupler® USB digital isolator, it supports bidirectional USB communication at Low Speed (1.5Mbps) and Full Speed (12Mbps).

It is particularly useful for industrial equipment, USB measurement devices, microcontroller development systems, USB-to-serial interfaces, laboratory instruments, and other applications where electrical isolation of the USB data connection is required.

Technical Specifications

• Isolation IC: ADuM3160
• Device Type: USB Digital Isolator
• USB Compatibility: USB 2.0 Low Speed / Full Speed
• Low-Speed Data Rate: 1.5Mbps
• Full-Speed Data Rate: 12Mbps
• High-Speed 480Mbps Support: No
• Communication: Bidirectional
• Isolation Technology: Analog Devices iCoupler®
• Isolation Rating of ADuM3160 IC: 2500V RMS for 1 minute
• VBUS Operating Voltage: 4.5–5.5V
• Common-Mode Transient Immunity: >25kV/µs
• Upstream Short-Circuit Protection: Yes
• Maximum Upstream Supply Current at 1.5Mbps: 7mA
• Maximum Upstream Supply Current at 12Mbps: 8mA
• Maximum Upstream Idle Current: 2.3mA
• Maximum IC Operating Temperature: +105°C
• Application: USB Peripheral Isolation / Isolated USB Interface

USB Galvanic Isolation

The ADuM3160 uses iCoupler digital isolation technology to transfer USB communication signals across an electrical isolation barrier.

This separates the USB data-side grounds and can help prevent unwanted current from flowing through the USB connection.

Isolation is particularly useful when a computer is connected to equipment that operates from a different power system or has significant electrical noise.

Helps Reduce Ground Loop Problems

Ground loops can occur when two connected devices have different ground potentials.

When connected directly through USB, this difference can introduce unwanted current through the USB ground connection, potentially causing:

Communication Errors
Electrical Noise
Measurement Errors
Audio Hum
Unstable Equipment Operation

A properly designed ADuM3160 isolation system can help break this direct ground connection while maintaining USB data communication.

USB Speed Support

The ADuM3160 supports:

USB Low Speed – 1.5Mbps
USB Full Speed – 12Mbps

It does not support USB High Speed at 480Mbps.

This makes it suitable for many USB microcontroller boards, USB-to-serial devices, HID devices, measurement instruments, and low/full-speed peripherals, but not for devices that require a 480Mbps USB connection.

Typical Applications

The ADuM3160 is useful for isolating USB connections involving microcontroller development boards, USB-to-UART adapters, industrial controllers, measurement equipment, laboratory instruments, data-acquisition equipment, embedded systems, USB peripherals, test equipment, and electrically noisy systems.

It can also be useful when developing circuits where a USB-connected computer should be electrically separated from the target hardware.

Power Isolation Note

The ADuM3160 itself is a USB data isolator and does not contain an integrated isolated DC-DC power converter.

Therefore, USB data isolation should not automatically be interpreted as isolated USB power.

Some complete ADuM3160 modules include an additional isolated DC-DC converter to provide power isolation, while simpler boards may require an independent power supply on the isolated side.

Check the actual module circuit and PCB configuration before claiming power isolation.

Important Note

The ADuM3160 is designed for USB Low-Speed and Full-Speed communication only.

It is not suitable for peripherals that require USB 2.0 High Speed (480Mbps), such as many high-speed storage devices, cameras, and other bandwidth-intensive USB products.

Also note that the 2.5kV RMS isolation rating applies to the ADuM3160 IC under its specified test conditions. The safe isolation rating of a complete module also depends on its PCB layout, creepage and clearance distances, connectors, isolated power supply, enclosure, and overall construction.

Applications

Ideal for USB peripheral isolation, industrial USB interfaces, laboratory equipment, USB-to-serial systems, data-acquisition equipment, microcontroller development, test instruments, ground-loop reduction, noise-sensitive electronics, embedded systems, and isolated USB communication projects.

Package Includes

1 × ADuM3160 USB Digital Isolator Module