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Electronics => Projects, Designs, and Technical Stuff => Topic started by: KedasProbe on March 26, 2013, 09:23:46 pm

Title: USB isolator board for testing (chip)
Post by: KedasProbe on March 26, 2013, 09:23:46 pm
Anyone using this?
I ordered myself one for separation and easy testing between Desktop PC and PCBs.
(No, I'm not using it to evaluate the chip)
http://www.analog.com/en/evaluation/eval-adum4160/eb.html (http://www.analog.com/en/evaluation/eval-adum4160/eb.html)


edit: FYI
http://www.digikey.com/videos/en/v/ADuM4160-First-Single-Package-USB-Isolation-Solution/2196710147001 (http://www.digikey.com/videos/en/v/ADuM4160-First-Single-Package-USB-Isolation-Solution/2196710147001)
Title: Re: USB isolator board for testing (chip)
Post by: marshallh on March 26, 2013, 10:45:10 pm
Full speed only. Won't support 480mbps
Title: Re: USB isolator board for testing (chip)
Post by: Circuitous on March 26, 2013, 11:01:18 pm
I've built an isolator using the cheaper ADuM3160 (lower isolation rating).  It's easy to build, and works just fine... but not for high-speed, only 1.5 and 12 Mbps.  That's fine for most of my stuff.
The main issue I found was providing high enough current to some USB powered devices.  The matching ADuM5000 only provides 100ma (I think), so you may want to use a separate wall-wart to power such devices.

Title: Re: USB isolator board for testing (chip)
Post by: KedasProbe on March 27, 2013, 07:52:50 am
I don't mind no 480Mbps support because I can't debug that anyway, my to be used MCU doesn't even support 480Mbps.
Yes power needs to be added but I didn't expect to use it otherwise, the board seems to be easy to setup whatever you want. (except 480Mbps  :) )
Title: Re: USB isolator board for testing (chip)
Post by: penfold on March 27, 2013, 08:25:25 am
I've not used it, but given the comparative cost of most other isolated usb hubs and adapters can't be too far wrong.
The speed is a bit unfortunate, but as a quick and dirty isolator I'll be getting myself one, let me know how it goes and thanks for the tip
Title: Re: USB isolator board for testing (chip)
Post by: mazurov on March 27, 2013, 06:36:09 pm
I've been making one based on the same IC for ~3.5 years -> https://www.circuitsathome.com/measurements/usb-isolator (https://www.circuitsathome.com/measurements/usb-isolator) . Take a look at the articles/comments for insight.
Title: Re: USB isolator board for testing (chip)
Post by: KedasProbe on March 31, 2013, 06:40:43 pm
Seems I already blown my board, not sure what went wrong.

Everything worked, then I wanted to use the earth/mass connection of my probe to reduce noise. So I connected it to the mass of the board (mass of my 5V power supply)
It was OK, I wanted to reconnect it for a better connection and then it 'shorted' out somehow.
Now it only measures 1.67 ohm over C4.
The other (identical) side of the chip is still measuring fine.

Maybe connecting the ground of my power supply to my scope earth generated unexpected spikes....

Luckily it won't cost much to replace the chip. (if that is the problem, and C4 isn't broken)