6.2 - GigaCoupler – A scalable Opto-Isolator with Gbps-Data Transmission
- Event
- iCCC2026 - iCampus Cottbus Conference
2026-05-05 - 2026-05-07
Cottbus - Band
- Vorträge
- Chapter
- Kommunikation
- Author(s)
- K. Schmieder, T. Schneider, R. Kirrbach - Fraunhofer IPMS, Dresden
- Pages
- 98 - 102
- DOI
- 10.5162/iCCC2026/6.2
- ISBN
- 978-3-910600-10-2
- Price
- free
Abstract
Optocouplers are widely used for signal transmission between galvanically separated circuit parts. For decades, these have been an integral component of electronic modules. The wide selection becomes limited, and costs rise disproportionately for data rates >50 Mbps or isolation voltage exceeds several kV. This is where the GigaCoupler comes in. It is a novel short-range optical transceiver technology. In this paper, we introduce the concept and describe the implementation. Results of initial testing show that a data rate of 1.25 Gbps is achievable with an isolation voltage in the double-digit kV-range and a footprint of only 0.5 cm². Potential applications such as optical probes, isolated A/D or D/A converters; an alternative to circuit boards with embedded waveguides and a rotary usage are in the focus of this contribution. solutions are only a makeshift for intra- or inter-board connection.