Evaluation Board User Guide UG-546
Rev. 0 | Page 3 of 8
EVALUATION BOARD CIRCUITRY
PCB EVALUATION GOALS
The EVA L-ADuM3481EBZ board is intended to achieve the
following goals:
• Evaluate the full range of iCoupler data transfer functions
• Power each side of the iCoupler isolator independently
• Allow high differential voltage to be applied between the
two sides of the iCoupler isolator
• Allow connecting easily to power and instrumentation
Although the evaluation board comes with the ADuM3481
iCoupler digital isolator installed, the board is also compatible
with the ADuM3480 and ADuM3482, and the user can substitute
either of these components in place of the ADuM3481.
CONNECTORS
The PCB provides support for three types of interconnections:
• SMA edge-mounted connectors
• Through-hole signal ground pairs
• Terminal blocks for power connections
With these three options, both temporary and permanent
connections to the board can easily be made.
When coaxial connections are desired, SMA connector positions
are available for V
DD1
, V
DDL1
, V
DD2
, and V
DDL2
power supplies, as
well as all digital inputs and outputs. These SMA connector
positions are left unpopulated so that the user can customize
the connectors for a given application. Figure 2 shows examples of
installed SMA connectors; these connectors were chosen because
they are not only low profile and provide excellent mechanical
connections to the PCB but also support 50 Ω coaxial cabling.
Because most lab equipment is compatible with BNC connectors,
adaptors may be required to use some on-board connectors.
1) SCOPE PROBE
2) SMA CONNECTOR
3) TERMINAL
BLOCK
6) PADS TO
CONNECT SMA
4) SHORTING
JUMPER
5) SCOPE PROBE
HEADER
11404-002
Figure 2. Optional Components
Power can be connected through the VDDL1A, VDD1A,
VDDL2A, and VDD2A terminal blocks, or can be wired directly
to the PCB via the P5A, P6A, P11A, and P12A through-hole
connectors. Each through-hole pair provides a power ground
pair with the power on the Pin 1 hole. The pin spacing of each
through-hole connector is 200 mil between centers. This
matches the pin spacing required for Tektronix active scope
probes. If a scope probe connection is desired, the header
shown in Figure 2 can be soldered into the through-hole
positions, and the signal pin can be trimmed to match the
height requirements of a Tektronix active scope probe.
POWER INPUT
Each side of the ADuM3480/ADuM3481/ADuM3482 iCoupler
isolator may require two off-board power sources. The power
supplies for each side of the isolator can be common or indepen-
dent, depending on the requirements of the application. Refer
to the ADuM3480/ADuM3481/ADuM3482 data sheet for proper
voltage ranges and combinations. To support all possible power
configurations, two power inputs are provided on each side of
the part—one input for V
DD
and one for V
DDL
. Because V
DD
and
V
DDL
are often connected together so that a single power supply
can be used, the ADuM3480/ADuM3481/ADuM3482 also provide
a jumper position to allow these inputs to be connected together
on the PCB through JP1 and JP2—one connection for each side
of the board. If independent power supplies are to be used for
V
DD
and V
DDL
, remove the corresponding jumper so that the
power supply inputs are not connected together and apply
power to both of the power inputs.
Sharing a single supply and ground for both sides of the part
(across the isolation barrier) does not harm the isolator, and is
useful for functional testing of the ADuM3480/ADuM3481/
ADuM3482 iCoupler isolator when common-mode voltages are
not present. If common-mode voltage are to be applied across the
isolation barrier, independent power supplies must be provided
for each side of the isolator.
A ground and two power planes are present on Layer 2 and
Layer 3 of the PCB on each side of the isolation barrier.
