Texas Instruments ISO106B

Overview

ISO106B from Burr-Brown is a hermetic, capacitive-coupled isolation buffer amplifier designed for high-voltage analog signal isolation in industrial and measurement systems. It provides ±10V input/output range, 70kHz small-signal bandwidth, 3500V_rms continuous isolation rating, and 125dB minimum isolation-mode rejection at 60Hz - enabling accurate transducer channel isolation in noisy or high-potential environments.

For engineers reviewing the ISO106B datasheet, ISO106B pinout, ISO106B application, or ISO106B equivalent, this page delivers verified technical context, real-world design meaning of key specs, validated 40-pin ceramic DIP package mapping, confirmed pin functions, and two rigorously cross-checked alternative parts with documented functional and application differences.

Technical Context

The ISO106B implements a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO)–phase-locked loop (PLL) architecture with differential ceramic capacitive barrier coupling. Its input stage converts analog voltage to frequency-modulated digital signals across two 3pF tungsten-thick-film ceramic capacitors, while the output PLL decodes the FM signal using a matched VCO and second-order 100kHz low-pass filter.

This architecture enables true galvanic isolation with no DC path between input and output commons, supports ±100kV/µs transient immunity, and maintains 14-bit linearity (±0.007% FSR nonlinearity) without external components - all within a side-brazed 40-pin ceramic DIP package rated for –25°C to +85°C operation.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

ISO106B uses a 40-pin side-brazed ceramic dual-in-line package (CERDIP), Package Drawing #206, 600mil wide, with industry-standard footprint and missing pins between input/output sections to support automated insertion. Hermetic sealing and tungsten-thick-film ceramic barrier ensure long-term reliability in harsh environments.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar isolation amplifier applications.

Compared with ISO106B, ISO122JP offers higher isolation and extended temperature but demands external compensation and lacks integrated references; AMC1301DWVR delivers superior speed and efficiency for digital-control-centric systems but shifts signal conditioning burden to external circuitry and abandons hermetic packaging.

Availability

ISO106B is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial process control, motor drive current sensing, power plant monitoring, and 4–20mA loop isolation requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for ISO106B includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Burr-Brown Corporation was a U.S.-based analog semiconductor pioneer, acquired by Texas Instruments in 2000, known for high-precision signal conditioning ICs and isolation technology.

The ISO106B belongs to Burr-Brown's capacitive-isolation amplifier family, engineered specifically for high-voltage analog signal integrity in industrial instrumentation, where hermetic reliability, certified isolation, and minimal external component count were primary design goals.

FAQ

What is the isolation voltage rating of the ISO106B and how is it tested?

The ISO106B is rated for 3500V_rms continuous isolation voltage at 60Hz for one minute, and 8000V_pk for 10 seconds. Every unit undergoes 100% high-voltage breakdown testing per datasheet specification. This rating applies across the full operating temperature range of –25°C to +85°C and is enabled by its dual 3pF tungsten-thick-film ceramic capacitive barrier with >10kV dielectric strength. The ISO106B datasheet confirms these values in the "Isolation" section under "Rated Continuous" and "Test Breakdown" conditions.

Does the ISO106B require external components to operate?

No, the ISO106B is a complete isolation solution requiring no external components for basic operation. All necessary circuitry - including input VCO, differential capacitive barrier, output PLL, and 100kHz low-pass filter - is integrated within the 40-pin ceramic DIP. Only 0.1µF ceramic bypass capacitors on each supply pin (±V_CC1, ±V_CC2) are recommended per Figure 2 of the ISO106B datasheet to minimize noise and ensure stability. Gain and offset adjustment are optional and only needed for calibration.

How does the ISO106B achieve 14-bit linearity and what does that mean for system accuracy?

The ISO106B achieves ±0.007% FSR nonlinearity (equivalent to 14-bit linearity over ±10V) through precision trimming of its VCO–PLL architecture and matched internal components. This means maximum deviation from ideal transfer function is ≤1.4mV across the full ±10V span, enabling accurate representation of fine signal details in 16-bit data acquisition systems where quantization noise dominates. The ISO106B datasheet specifies this value in the "Electrical Characteristics" table under "Nonlinearity" for ISO106B.

Can the ISO106B be used in place of the ISO106, and what is the difference between them?

Yes, the ISO106B is a performance-enhanced version of the ISO106, sharing identical pinout, package, isolation rating (3500V_rms), and core functionality. Key improvements include tighter initial gain error (±0.07% vs ±0.1%), reduced input offset voltage (±15mV vs ±25mV), and improved nonlinearity (±0.007% vs ±0.04% FSR). These enhancements make ISO106B preferable for high-accuracy applications like precision RTD amplifiers or calibration equipment, as confirmed in the "Electrical (Cont)" section of the ISO106B datasheet.

What are the thermal limitations of the ISO106B and how is power dissipation managed?

The ISO106B has a maximum junction temperature of +160°C, thermal resistance θ_JA of 40°C/W, and total power dissipation of 1.2W (600mW on ±V_CC2, 400mW on ±V_CC1). At ambient temperatures up to +85°C, it operates safely with standard PCB copper area; above that, derating is required per the "Power Dissipation vs Temperature" curve. The ISO106B datasheet specifies absolute maximum ratings and thermal curves on pages 4 and 5, confirming continuous operation at rated voltage and temperature without gain/offset drift degradation.