 - Also see diode.
An optoisolator, also known as an optical coupler or optocoupler,
is a semiconductor device that allows signals
to be transferred between circuits or systems, while keeping those circuits or systems
electrically isolated from each other. Optoisolators are used in a wide variety of
communications, control, and monitoring systems.
In its simplest form, an optoisolator consists of an light-emitting diode (LED), IRED (infrared-emitting
diode), or laser diode for signal
transmission, and a photosensor for signal reception. The "transmitter" takes the electrical signal and converts it into a a beam of modulated visible light or infrared (IR). This beam travels across
a transparent gap and is picked up by the "receiver," which converts the
modulated light or IR back into an electrical signal. The electrical output waveform
is identical to the electrical input waveform, although the input and output amplitudes
(signal strengths) often differ. The optoisolator is enclosed in a single package,
and has the appearance of an integrated circuit (IC) or a transistor with extra leads.
A common application of an optoisolator is in a specialized modem that allows a computer to be connected to a
telephone line without risk of damage from electrical transients (also called
"surges" or "spikes"). Two optoisolators are employed in the analog section of the device: one for upstream
signals and the other for downstream signals. If a transient occurs on the telephone
line (and these are common), the computer will be unaffected because the optical gap does
not conduct electric current. For this
reason, modems that use optoisolators provide superior protection against transients
compared with modems incorporating electrical surge
suppressors alone. (An electrical surge suppressor should be installed between the optoisolator and the telephone line for optimum protection.)
| LAST UPDATED: |
31 Jul 2001
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