Isolation system with digital communication across a capacitive barrier

• US 6,137,827 A
• Filed: 04/22/1997
• Issued: 10/24/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Scott, Jeffrey W., Welland, David R., Sooch, Navdeep S.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, AMANDA T
• Application Number:
  US08/841,409
• Time in Patent Office: 1,281 Days
• Field of Search: 375/219, 375/220, 375/222, 375/257, 375/258, 375/259, 375/354, 375/359, 375/377, 379/399, 379/412
• US Class Current: 375/219
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/0266 Arrangements for providing Galvanic isolation, e.g. by means of magnetic or capacitive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/06 Dc level restoring means; Bias distortion correction ; Decision circuits providing symbol by symbol detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 7/033 using the transitions of the received signal to control the phase of the synchronising-signal-generating means, e.g. using a phase-locked loop
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/06 Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors

Abstract

An isolation system is provided that is suitable for use in telephony, medical instrumentation, industrial process control and other applications. Preferred embodiments of the invention comprise a capacitive isolation barrier across which a digital signal is communicated. The system provides a means of communication across the isolation barrier that is highly immune to amplitude and phase noise interference. Clock recovery circuitry may be employed on one side of the isolation barrier to extract timing information from the digital signal communicated across the barrier, and to filter the effects of phase noise introduced at the barrier. Delta-sigma converters may be disposed on both sides of the isolation barrier to convert signals between analog and digital domains. An isolated power supply may also be provided on the isolated side of the barrier, whereby direct current is generated in response to the digital data received across the isolation barrier. Finally, a bidirectional isolation system is provided whereby bidirectional communication of digital signals is accomplished using a single pair of isolation capacitors. In preferred embodiments, the digital data communicated across the barrier consists of digital delta-sigma data signals multiplexed in time with other digital control, signaling and framing information.

Claims

1. A telephone line isolation system for providing a digital communication channel across one or more isolation capacitors of an isolation barrier between a data input terminal and a data output terminal, the isolation system comprising:

an encoder circuit connected to receive digital data input signals from the input terminal, the encoder circuit including logic circuitry for combining the data input signals with control signals, the encoder circuit providing a digital encoded signal at an encoder output;

a driver circuit connected to the encoder output and to a first side of at least one of the isolation capacitors, the driver circuit adapted to receive the encoded signal and to apply it to the first side of at least one of the isolation capacitors;

a clock circuit connected to a second side of at least one of the isolation capacitors, the clock circuit providing a clock signal on the second side of the isolation capacitors;

a data latch connected to the second side of at least one of the isolation capacitors and to the clock signal, the data latch comprising a clocked latch circuit and adapted to provide a synchronized encoded data signal synchronized with the clock signal; and

a decoder circuit connected to receive (a) the synchronized encoded data signal from the data latch and (b) the clock signal, the decoder circuit adapted to separate the synchronized encoded data signal into control signals and isolated digital data signals, the isolated digital data signals being presented at the output terminal of the system,

wherein the clock circuit, data latch and decoder circuit are contained within an isolated circuit, the isolated circuit receiving power from across the isolation barrier or from a telephone line or both.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the driver circuit is a differential driver circuit.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising an analog-to-digital converter connected to the input node.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a digital-to-analog converter connected to the output node.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the clock recovery circuit comprises a phase-locked-loop circuit and a filter circuit.

40. The system of claim 1, the clock circuit receiving an isolated encoded signal received from at least one of the isolation capacitors.

41. The system of claim 1, further comprising an isolated power supply circuit connected to the second side of at least one of the isolation capacitors, the power supply circuit converting a portion of the energy in an isolated encoded data signal into a DC voltage signal that is connected to provide DC power to other isolated circuitry.

3. A telephone line isolation system for providing a digital communication channel across one or more isolation capacitors between a data input terminal and a data output terminal, the isolation system comprising:

an encoder circuit connected to receive digital data input signals from the input terminal, the encoder circuit including logic circuitry for combining the data input signals with control signals, the encoder circuit providing a digital encoded signal at an encoder output;

a driver circuit connected to the encoder output and to a first side of at least one of the isolation capacitors, the driver circuit adapted to receive the encoded signal and to apply it to the first side of at least one of the isolation capacitors;

a clock circuit connected to a second side of at least one of the isolation capacitors, the clock circuit providing a clock signal on the second side of the isolation capacitors;

a data latch connected to the second side of at least one of the isolation capacitors and to the clock signal, the data latch comprising a clocked latch circuit and adapted to provide a synchronized encoded data signal synchronized with the clock signal;

a decoder circuit connected to receive (a) the synchronized encoded data signal from the data latch and (b) the clock signal, the decoder circuit adapted to separate the synchronized encoded data signal into control signals and isolated digital data signals, the isolated digital data signals being presented at the output terminal of the system; and

an isolated power supply circuit connected to the second side of the isolation capacitors, the power supply circuit converting a portion of the energy in at least one signal transmitted across at least one of the isolation capacitors into a DC voltage signal that is connected to provide DC power to other isolated circuitry,

wherein the clock circuit, data latch and decoder circuit are contained within an isolated circuit, the isolated circuit receiving power from across the isolation barrier or from a telephone line or both.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the DC voltage signal is connected to provide power to the clock recovery circuit.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the DC voltage signal is connected to provide power to the decoder circuit.

9. A bidirectional isolation system for providing an isolated communication channel for digital signals in a forward direction and in a reverse direction across a telephone line isolation barrier, the system comprising:

an isolation barrier comprising one or more capacitors;

a powered system on a first side of the isolation barrier, the powered system comprising;

a powered driver circuit connected to at least one of the capacitors for driving a forward direction signal across the isolation barrier,

a powered encoder circuit having an input terminal for receiving a digital signal to be transmitted in the forward direction across the barrier and having au output connected to the powered driver circuit, and

a powered decoder circuit having an input connected to at least one of the capacitors, the powered decoder circuit adapted for receiving and decoding signals transmitted in the reverse direction across the isolation barrier; and

an isolated system on a second side of the isolation barrier, wherein at least some of the isolated system receives power from across the isolation barrier or from a telephone line or both, the isolated system comprising;

a clock circuit having an input connected to at least one of the barrier capacitors and an output providing an isolated clock signal to circuitry in the isolated system,

an isolated decoder circuit connected to at least one of the capacitors and providing a decoded digital data signal,

an isolated driver circuit connected to at least one of the capacitors for driving signals in the reverse direction across the isolation barrier, and

an isolated encoder circuit having an input for receiving a digital signal to be transmitted in the reverse direction across the barrier and having all output connected to the isolated driver circuit.

11. The system of claim 9, further comprising a data latch connected to receive the forward direction signal and the clock signal and having an output providing a synchronized data signal to the isolated decoder circuit.

10. A bidirectional isolation system for providing an isolated communication channel for digital signals in a forward direction and in a reverse direction across a telephone line isolation barrier, the system comprising:

an isolation barrier comprising one or more capacitors;

a powered system on a first side of the isolation barrier, the powered system comprising,

a powered driver circuit connected to at least one of the capacitors for driving a forward direction signal across the isolation barrier,

a powered encoder circuit having an input terminal for receiving a digital signal to be transmitted in the forward direction across the barrier and having an output connected to the powered driver circuit, and

a powered decoder circuit having an input connected to at least one of the capacitors, the powered decoder circuit adapted for receiving and decoding signals transmitted in the reverse direction across the isolation barrier; and

an isolated system on a second side of the isolation barrier, wherein at least some of the isolated system receives power from across the isolation barrier or from a telephone line or both, the isolated system comprising;

a clock circuit having an input connected to at least one of the barrier capacitors and an output providing an isolated clock signal to circuitry in the isolated system,

an isolated decoder circuit connected to at least one of the capacitors and providing a decoded digital data signal,

an isolated driver circuit connected to at least one of the capacitors for driving signals in the reverse direction across the isolation barrier,

an isolated encoder circuit having an input for receiving a digital signal to be transmitted in the reverse direction across the barrier and having an output connected to the isolated driver circuit, and

an isolated power supply circuit connected to at least one of the isolation capacitors, the power supply circuit converting a portion of the energy in at least one signal transmitted across at least one of the capacitors into a DC voltage signal that is connected to provide DC power to other circuitry in the isolated system.

12. An isolation system for transmitting a digital data signal across a telephone line isolation barrier, comprising:

one or more isolation capacitors;

means for providing a digital signal to a first side of the isolation barrier;

means for receiving a corresponding isolated signal from a second side of the isolation barrier;

clock recovery means for recovering a clock signal from the isolated signal; and

means for synchronizing the isolated signal with the clock signal,

wherein circuitry on the second side of the isolation barrier receives power from across the isolation barrier or from a telephone line or both.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising means for generating a DC voltage from the isolated signal for use in powering said clock recovery means.

14. The system of claim 12, further comprising encoder means for combining said digital signal with control information to be transmitted across the isolation barrier, and decoder means for separating the digital data signal from the isolated signal.

15. A method of transmitting a digital data signal across a telephone isolation barrier having one or more isolation capacitors, comprising:

combining the digital data signal with control information to form a digital encoded signal;

driving the digital encoded signal across one or more of the isolation capacitors of the isolation barrier;

providing power to at least some circuitry on an isolated side of the isolation barrier only from across the isolation barrier or from a telephone line or both;

receiving an isolated encoded signal from the isolation barrier;

receiving clock information from across one or more of the isolation capacitors to provide a clock signal;

synchronizing the isolated encoded signal with the clock signal; and

separating the isolated encoded signal into an isolated digital data signal and isolated control information.

42. The method of claim 15 wherein the clock signal is recovered from the isolated encoded signal.

43. The method of claim 15 further comprising generating a DC power supply signal from the isolated encoded signal.

16. A method of transmitting a digital data signal across a telephone isolation barrier having one or more isolation capacitors, comprising:

combining the digital data signal with control information to form a digital encoded signal;

driving the digital encoded signal across one or more of the isolation capacitors of the isolation barrier;

providing power to at least some circuitry on an isolated side of the isolation barrier only from across the isolation barrier or from a telephone line or both;

receiving an isolated encoded signal from the isolation barrier;

receiving clock information from across one or more of the isolation capacitors to provide a clock signal;

synchronizing the isolated encoded signal with the clock signal;

separating the isolated encoded signal into an isolated digital data signal and isolated control information; and

generating a DC power supply signal from at least one signal transmitted across one or more of the isolation capacitors.

17. A bidirectional isolation system for providing an isolated communication channel for data signals in a forward direction and in a reverse direction across an isolation barrier comprised of one or more isolation elements, the system comprising:

(a) a powered system on a first side of the isolation barrier, the powered system comprising a first driver circuit connected to the isolation barrier for driving a forward direction digital signal across the isolation barrier; and

(b) an isolated system on a second side of the isolation barrier, the isolated system comprising a second driver circuit connected to the isolation barrier for driving a reverse direction digital signal across the isolation barrier;

wherein the forward direction digital signal and the reverse direction digital signal are both driven through the same isolation element, and wherein the isolated system receives power from across the isolation barrier or from a telephone line or both.

18. The isolation system of claim 17, wherein the isolation elements are capacitors.

19. The isolation system of claim 17, wherein the first and second driver circuits are differential driver circuits.

20. The isolation system of claim 17, wherein the forward direction digital signal comprises said data signal multiplexed with a control signal.

21. The isolation system of claim 20, wherein the reverse direction digital signal comprises said data signal multiplexed with a control signal.

38. The isolation system of claim 18, wherein the isolation barrier comprises a signal channel capacitor and a return current capacitor.

39. The isolation system of claim 18, wherein the isolation barrier comprises two capacitors, and wherein the first and second driver circuits are differential driver circuits that drive differential signals across the isolation barrier.

22. An isolation system for providing a digital communication channel for data signals and control signals, the isolation system comprising:

an isolation barrier;

a multiplexer located on one side of the isolation barrier and connected to receive the data signals and the control signals and providing a multiplexed digital signal that is connected to the isolation barrier; and

a demultiplexer located on the other side of the isolation barrier and connected to receive the multiplexed digital signal from the isolation barrier, the demultiplexer having a data signal output and a control signal output,

wherein one side of the isolation barrier is an isolated side that receives power from across the isolation barrier or from a telephone line or both.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the isolation barrier comprises one or more isolation capacitors.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the multiplexed digital signal is a differential digital signal.

25. The system of claim 22, further comprising

a second multiplexer located on said other side of the isolation barrier and connected to receive data signals and control signals and providing a multiplexed digital signal that is connected to the isolation barrier;

a second demultiplexer located on said one side of the isolation barrier and connected to receive the multiplexed digital signal from the isolation barrier, the demultiplexer having a data signal output and a control signal output;

whereby bidirectional multiplexed communication of data and control signals across the isolation barrier is enabled.

26. An isolation system for providing digital communication across an isolation barrier, comprising:

a transmit circuit located on a first side of the barrier for providing a digital signal to be;

communicated across the barrier;

a receive circuit located on a second side of the barrier for receiving a received digital signal from the barrier; and

a filter circuit coupled to the receive circuit for filtering phase noise from the received digital signal,

wherein one side of the isolation barrier is an isolated side that receives power from across the isolation barrier or from a telephone line or both.

27. The isolation system of claim 26, wherein the isolation barrier comprises one or more capacitors.

28. The isolation system of claim 26, wherein the transmit circuit is adapted to provide a differential signal to be communicated across the isolation barrier.

29. The isolation system of claim 26, further comprising:

a second transmit circuit located on the second side of the barrier for providing a second digital signal to be communicated across the barrier from the second side of the barrier to the first side of the barrier;

a second receive circuit located on the first side of the barrier for receiving the second digital signal from the barrier;

whereby communication is enabled in both directions across a single isolation barrier.

30. The isolation system of claim 26, wherein the transmit circuit comprises:

a first input for receiving digital control information;

a second input for receiving digital data representing a time-varying signal; and

a mixing circuit for combining the digital control information and the digital data representing a time-varying signal to produce the digital signal to be communicated across the barrier.

31. The isolation system of claim 26 wherein the filter circuit includes a phase locked loop circuit, comprising a phase detector circuit, a loop filter circuit, and a controllable oscillator circuit.

32. An isolation system for providing digital communication across an isolation barrier, comprising:

a transmit circuit located on a first side of the barrier for providing a digital signal to be communicated across the barrier;

a receive circuit located on a second side of the barrier for receiving a received digital signal from the barrier; and

a clock circuit coupled to the receive circuit for providing a timing signal from the received digital signal;

wherein one side of the isolation barrier is an isolated side that receives power only from across the isolation barrier and from a telephone line.

33. The isolation system of claim 32, wherein the isolation barrier comprises one or more capacitors.

34. The isolation system of claim 32, wherein the transmit circuit is adapted to provide a differential signal to be communicated across the isolation barrier.

35. The isolation system of claim 32, further comprising:

a second transmit circuit located on the second side of the barrier for providing a second digital signal to be communicated across the barrier from the second side of the barrier to the first side of the barrier;

a second receive circuit located on a first side of the barrier for receiving the second digital signal from the barrier;

whereby communication is enabled in both directions across a single isolation barrier.

36. The isolation system of claim 32, wherein the transmit circuit comprises:

a first input for receiving digital control information;

a second input for receiving digital data representing a time-varying signal; and

a mixing circuit for combining the digital control information and the digital data representing a time-varying signal to produce the digital signal to be communicated across the barrier.

37. The isolation system of claim 32, wherein the clock recovery circuit comprises a phase locked loop circuit.