Data Sheet
HCPL-4701/-4731/-070A/-073A
Very Low Power Consumption High-Gain
Optocouplers
Description
These Broadcom® devices are very low power consumption,
high-gain, single- and dual-channel optocouplers. The HCPL4701 represents the single-channel, 8-pin DIP configuration
and is pin compatible with the industry-standard 6N139. The
HCPL-4731 represents the dual-channel 8-pin DIP
configuration and is pin compatible with the popular standard
HCPL-2731. The HCPL-070A and HCPL-073A are the
equivalent single- and dual-channel products in an SO-8
footprint. Each channel can be driven with an input current as
low as 40 μA and has a typical current transfer ratio of 3500%.
These high-gain couplers use an AlGaAs LED and an
integrated high-gain photodetector to provide an extremely
high current transfer ratio between input and output. Separate
pins for the photodiode and output stage results in TTL
compatible saturation voltages and high-speed operation.
Where desired, the VCC and VO terminals can be tied together
to achieve conventional Darlington operation (single-channel
package only).
These devices are designed for use in CMOS, LSTTL, or
other low power applications. They are especially well suited
for ISDN telephone interface and battery-operated
applications due to the low power consumption. A 700%
minimum current transfer ratio is guaranteed from 0°C to 70°C
operating temperature range at 40 μA of LED current and
VCC ≥ 3V.
The SO-8 does not require through holes in a PCB. This
package occupies approximately one-third the footprint area
of the standard dual-in-line package. The lead profile is
designed to be compatible with standard surface-mount
processes.
CAUTION! Take normal static precautions in the handling
and assembly of this component to prevent
damage, degradation, or both that might be
induced by ESD. The components featured in
this data sheet are not to be used in military or
aerospace applications or environments.
Broadcom
Features
Ultra low input current capability: 40 μA
Specified for 3V operation
– Typical power consumption: 2.0V). Common transient immunity in a Logic Low level is the
maximum tolerable (negative) dVCM/dt on the trailing edge of the common mode pulse, VCM, to ensure that the output will remain in a Logic
Low state (i.e., VO < 0.8V).
e. In applications where dV/dt may exceed 50,000 V/μs (such as static discharge) a series resistor, RCC, should be included to protect the
detector IC from destructively high surge currents. The recommended value is RCC = 220Ω.
Broadcom
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HCPL-4701/-4731/-070A/-073A Data Sheet
Very Low Power Consumption High-Gain Optocouplers
Package Characteristics
Parameter
Input-Output Momentary
Withstand Voltageb
Symbol
Device
HCPL-
VISO
Option 020
4701,
4731
Min.
Typ.a
Max.
Unit
Test Conditions
3750
—
—
Vrms
RH ≤ 50%, t = 1 min., TA = 25°C
5000
—
—
Fig.
Note
c, d
c, e
Resistance (Input-Output)
RI-O
—
1012
—
Ω
VI-O = 500 VDC, RH ≤ 45%
c
Capacitance (Input-Output)
CI-O
—
0.6
—
pF
f = 1 MHz
c
Insulation Leakage Current
(Input-Input)
II-I
—
0.005
—
μA
RH ≤ 45%, t = 5s, VI-I = 500 VDC
f
Resistance (Input-Input)
RI-I
—
1011
—
Ω
Capacitance (Input-Input)
CI-I
4731
—
0.03
—
pF
f = 1 MHz
f
073A
—
0.25
—
4731,
073A
a. All typical values at TA = 25°C and VCC = 5V, unless otherwise noted.
b. The Input-Output Momentary Withstand Voltage is a dielectric voltage rating that should not be interpreted as an input-output continuous
voltage rating. For the continuous voltage rating, refer to the IEC/EN/DIN EN 60747-5-5 Insulation Characteristics Table (if applicable), your
equipment level safety specification.
c. Device considered a two-terminal device: pins 1, 2, 3, and 4 shorted together, and pins 5, 6, 7, and 8 shorted together.
d. In accordance with UL 1577, each optocoupler is proof-tested by applying an insulation test voltage ≥4500 Vrms for 1 second (leakage
detection current limit, II-O ≤ 5 μA).
e. In accordance with UL 1577, each optocoupler is proof-tested by applying an insulation test voltage ≥6000 Vrms for 1 second (leakage
detection current limit, II-O ≤ 5 μA). This test is performed before the 100% production test for partial discharge (Method b) shown in the IEC/
EN/DIN EN 60747-5-5 Insulation Characteristics Table.
f. Measured between pins 1 and 2 shorted together, and pins 3 and 4 shorted together.
Broadcom
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HCPL-4701/-4731/-070A/-073A Data Sheet
Very Low Power Consumption High-Gain Optocouplers
Figure 1: DC Transfer Characteristics (IF = 0.5 mA to 2.5 mA)
Figure 2: DC Transfer Characteristics (IF = 50 μA to 250 μA)
7
TA = 25°C
VCC = 5 V
24
21
IF
IF
0m
= 2.
IF
m
= 1.5
18
A
A
15
IF =
12
A
1.0 m
I F = 0.5 m
9
A
6
3
0
0
6
IF = 200 μA
IF = 150 μA
5
4
IF = 100 μA
3
IF = 50 μA
2
1
0
2.0
1.0
0
1.0
2.0
VO – OUTPUT VOLTAGE – V
VO – OUTPUT VOLTAGE – V
Figure 3: Current Transfer Ratio vs. Forward Current
Figure 4: Output Current vs. Input Diode Forward Current
9
1.25
1.0
25°C
70°C
NORMALIZED
IF = 40 μA
VO = 0.4 V
VCC = 5 V
IO – OUTPUT CURRENT – mA
NORMALIZED CURRENT TRANSFER RATIO
IF = 250 μA
TA = 25°C
VCC = 5 V
mA
5
= 2.
IO – OUTPUT CURRENT – mA
IO – OUTPUT CURRENT – mA
27
0.75
0°C
0.5
0.25
0.1
10
1.0
Figure 5: Input Diode Forward Current vs. Forward Voltage
+
VF
–
1.0
0.1
0.01
0.8 0.9
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
VF – FORWARD VOLTAGE
Broadcom
0°C
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
0.2
0.1
0.3
0.4
0.5
Figure 6: Propagation Delay vs. Temperature
IP – PROPAGATION DELAY – μs
IF – FORWARD CURRENT – mA
TA = 25°C
IF
10
70°C
IF – INPUT DIODE FORWARD CURRENT – mA
IF – FORWARD CURRENT – mA
100
25°C
7
0
0
0.01
VO = 0.4 V
VCC = 5 V
8
1.5
70
IF = 0.5 mA
RL = 4.7 kΩ
60
50
tPLH
40
30
20
tPHL
10
0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
TA – TEMPERATURE – °C
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HCPL-4701/-4731/-070A/-073A Data Sheet
Very Low Power Consumption High-Gain Optocouplers
Figure 7: Test Circuit for Transient Immunity and Typical Waveforms
VCM
10 V
90%
90%
10%
0V
IF
8
RCC (SEE NOTE)
+5 V
220 Ω
2
7
0.1 μF
3
6
4
5
B
10%
tr
1
tf
RL
A
VO
5V
SWITCH AT A: IF = 0 mA
VO
VO
VFF
VCM
+
–
VOL
SWITCH AT B: IF = 0.5 mA
PULSE GEN.
NOTE:
In applications where dV/dt may exceed 50,000 V/μs (such as static discharge), a series resistor, RCC, should be
included to protect the detector IC from destructively high surge currents. The recommended value is RCC = 220Ω.
Figure 8: Switching Test Circuit
IF
0
5V
VO
(SATURATED
RESPONSE)
t PHL
1.5 V
1.5 V
PULSE
GEN.
ZO = 50 Ω
t r = 5 ns
IF
10% DUTY CYCLE
1/f < 100 μs
1
8
2
7
3
6
VOL
t PLH
+5 V
RL
VO
0.1 μF
I F MONITOR
4
5
* CL = 15 pF
RM
* CL IS APPROXIMATELY 15 pF, WHICH INCLUDES
PROBE AND STRAY WIRING CAPACITANCE.
Broadcom
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HCPL-4701/-4731/-070A/-073A Data Sheet
Very Low Power Consumption High-Gain Optocouplers
Applications Information
Typically, the HCPL-47XX can control a total output and
supply current of 15 mA. The output current, IO, is
determined by the LED forward current multiplied by the
current gain of the optocoupler, IO = IF (CTR)/100%. In
particular with the HCPL-47XX optocouplers, the LED can
be driven with a very small IF of 40 μA to control a maximum
IO of 320 μA with a worst-case design Current Transfer
Ratio (CTR) of 800%. Typically, the CTR and the
corresponding IOL are four times larger.
Low-Power Operation Current Gain
There are many applications where low-power isolation is
needed and can be provided by the single-channel HCPL4701, or the dual-channel HCPL-4731 low-power
optocouplers. Either or both of these two devices are
referred to in this text as HCPL- 47XX product(s).
For low-power operation, Table 1 lists the typical power
dissipations that occur for both the 3.3 Vdc and 5 Vdc
HCPL-47XX optocoupler applications. These approximate
power dissipation values are listed respectively for the LED,
for the output VCC and for the open-collector output
transistor. Those values are summed together for a
comparison of total power dissipation consumed in either
the 3.3 Vdc or 5 Vdc applications.
These optocouplers are Broadcom’s lowest input current,
low-power optocouplers. Low-power isolation can be
defined as less than a milliwatt of input power needed to
operate the LED of an optocoupler (generally less than
500 μA). This level of input forward current conducting
through the LED can control a worst-case total output (IOL)
and power supply current (ICCL) of two and a half
milliamperes.
Table 1: Typical HCPL-4701 Power Dissipation for 3V and 5V Applications
VCC = 3.3 Vdc
VCC = 5 Vdc
Power Dissipation
(μW)
IF = 40 μA
IF = 500 μA
IF = 40 μA
IF = 500 μA
PLED
50
625
50
625
PVcc
65
330
100
500
PO-Ca
20
10
25
20
PTOTALb
135 μW
965 μW
175 μW
1,145 μW
a. RL of 11 kΩ open-collector (o-c) pull-up resistor was used for both 3.3 Vdc and 5 Vdc calculations.
b. For typical total interface circuit power consumption in 3.3 Vdc application, add to PTOTAL approximately 80 μW for 40 μA (1,025 μW for
500 μA) LED current-limiting resistor, and 960 μW for the 11 kΩ pull-up resistor power dissipations. Similarly, for 5 Vdc applications, add to
PTOTAL approximately 150 μW for 40 μA (1,875 μW for 500 μA) LED current-limiting resistor and 2,230 μW for the 11 kΩ pull-up resistor
power dissipations.
Broadcom
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HCPL-4701/-4731/-070A/-073A Data Sheet
Very Low Power Consumption High-Gain Optocouplers
Propagation Delay
Telephone Line Interfaces
When the HCPL-47XX optocoupler is operated under very
low input and output current conditions, the propagation
delay times will lengthen. When lower input drive current
level is used to switch the high-efficiency AlGaAs LED, the
slower the charge and discharge time will be for the
LED.Correspondingly, the propagation delay times will
become longer as a result. In addition, the split-Darlington
(open-collector) output amplifier needs a larger, pull-up load
resistance to ensure the output current is within a
controllable range.
Applications where the HCPL-47XX optocoupler would be
best used are in telephone line interface circuitry for
functions of ring detection, on-off hook detection, line
polarity, line presence and supplied-power sensing. In
particular, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
applications, as illustrated in Figure 9, can severely restrict
the input power that an optocoupler interface circuit can use
(approximately 3 mW). Figure 9 shows three isolated
signals that can be served by the small input LED current of
the HCPL-47XX dual- and single-channel optocouplers.
Very low, total power dissipation occurs with these series of
devices.
Applications that are not sensitive to longer propagation
delay times and that are easily served by this HCPL-47XX
optocoupler, typically 65 μs or greater, are those of status
monitoring of a telephone line, power line, battery condition
of a portable unit, and so on. For faster HCPL-47XX
propagation delay times, approximately 30 μs, this
optocoupler needs to operate at higher IF (≥500 μA) and IO
(≥1 mA) levels.
Battery-Operated Equipment
Common applications for the HCPL-47XX optocoupler are
within battery-operated, portable equipment, such as test or
medical instruments, computer peripherals, and
accessories where energy conservation is required to
maximize battery life. In these applications, the optocoupler
would monitor the battery voltage and provide an isolated
output to another electrical system to indicate battery status
or the need to switch to a backup supply or begin a safe
shutdown of the equipment via a communication port. In
addition, the HCPL-47XX optocouplers are specified to
operate with 3 Vdc CMOS logic family of devices to provide
logic-signal isolation between similar or different logic circuit
families.
Broadcom
Switched-Mode Power Supplies
Within Switched-Mode Power Supplies (SMPS) the less
power consumed the better. Isolation for monitoring line
power, regulation status, for use within a feedback path
between primary and secondary circuits or to external
circuits are common applications for optocouplers. Lowpower HCPL-47XX optocoupler can help keep higher
energy conversion efficiency for the SMPS. Figure 11
shows where low-power isolation can be used.
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HCPL-4701/-4731/-070A/-073A Data Sheet
Very Low Power Consumption High-Gain Optocouplers
Figure 9: HCPL-47XX Isolated Monitoring Circuits for 2-Wire ISDN Telephone Line
TELEPHONE LINE
ISOLATION BARRIER
RECEIVE
2-WIRE
ISDN
LINE
PROTECTION
CIRCUIT
TRANSMIT
LINE POLARITY
HCPL-4731
PRIMARY–SECONDARY
POWER ISOLATION
BARRIER
LINE PRESENCE
TELEPHONE
LINE
INTERFACE
CIRCUIT
SECONDARY/
EMERGENCY
POWER
HCPL-4701
EMERGENCY
POWER
SWITCHED–
MODE
SECONDARY
VAC
PRIMARY
P0WER
SUPPLY
VCC
POWER
VCC – RETURN
POWER
SUPPLY
NOTE: THE CIRCUITS SHOWN IN THIS FIGURE REPRESENT POSSIBLE, FUNCTIONAL APPLICATION OF THE HCPL-47XX
OPTOCOUPLER TO AN ISDN LINE INTERFACE. THIS CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENT DOES NOT GUARANTEE COMPLIANCE,
CONFORMITY, OR ACCEPTANCE TO AN ISDN, OR OTHER TELECOMMUNICATION STANDARD, OR TO FCC OR TO OTHER
GOVERNMENTAL REGULATORY AGENCY REQUIREMENTS. THESE CIRCUITS ARE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT MAY MEET
THE NEEDS OF THESE APPLICATIONS. Agilent DOES NOT IMPLY, REPRESENT, NOR GUARANTEE THAT
THESE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS ARE FREE FROM PATENT INFRINGEMENT.
Figure 10: Typical Optical Isolation Used for Power-Loss Indication and Regulation Signal Feedback
ISOLATION
BARRIER
115/230
VAC
EMI FILTER
AND
CURRENT
LIMITER
RECTIFIER
AND
FILTER
SWITCHING
ELEMENT
1
CONTROL
CIRCUIT
VO
2
GND 2
ERROR
FEEDBACK
VIA CNR200
SOFT START
COMMAND
POWER
SUPPLY
FILTER
CAPACITOR 1
HCPL-4701
INTERRUPT FLAG
POWER DOWN
2
1
Figure 11: Recommended Power Supply Filter for HCPL-47XX Optocouplers
RECOMMENDED VCC FILTER
100 Ω
8
1
7
2
6
3
4
0.1 μF
+
10 μF
VCC
RL
VO
5
HCPL-4701 OR HCPL-4731
Broadcom
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HCPL-4701/-4731/-070A/-073A Data Sheet
Data Communication and Input/Output
Interfaces
In data communication, the HCPL-47XX can be used as a line
receiver on a RS-232-C line or this optocoupler can be part of
a proprietary data link with low input current, multi-drop
stations along the data path. Also, this low-power optocoupler
can be used within equipment that monitors the presence of
high- voltage. For example, a benefit of the low input LED
current (40 μA) helps the input sections of a Programmable
Logic Controller (PLC) monitor proximity and limit switches.
The PLC I/O sections can benefit from low input current
optocouplers because the total input power dissipation when
monitoring the high voltage (120 Vac to 220 Vac) inputs is
minimized at the I/O connections. This is especially important
when many input channels are stacked together.
Circuit Design Issues
Power Supply Filtering
Since the HCPL-47XX is a high- gain, split-Darlington
amplifier, any conducted electrical noise on the VCC power
supply to this optocoupler should be minimized. A
recommended VCC filter circuit is shown in Figure 11 to
improve the power supply rejection (psr) of the optocoupler.
The filter should be located near the combination of pin 8 and
pin 5 to provide best filtering action. This filter will drastically
limit any sudden rate of change of VCC with time to a slower
rate that cannot interfere with the optocoupler.
Common-Mode Rejection and LED Driver
Circuits
With the combination of a high-efficiency AlGaAs LED and a
high-gain amplifier in the HCPL-47XX optocoupler, a few
circuit techniques can enhance the common-mode rejection
(CMR) of this optocoupler. First, use good high-frequency
circuit layout practices to minimize coupling of common-mode
signals between input and output circuits. Keep input traces
away from output traces to minimize capacitive coupling of
interference between input and output sections. If possible,
parallel, or shunt switch the LED current as shown in
Figure 12, rather than series switch the LED current as
illustrated in Figure 14. Not only will CMR be enhanced with
these circuits (Figure 12 and Figure 13), but the switching
speed of the optocoupler will be improved as well. This is
because in the parallel switched case the LED current is
current-steered into or away from the LED, rather than being
fully turned off as in the series switched case. Figure 12
illustrates this type of circuit. The Schottky diode helps quickly
to discharge and pre-bias the LED in the off state. If a
common-mode voltage across the optocoupler suddenly
Broadcom
Very Low Power Consumption High-Gain Optocouplers
attempts to inject a current into the off LED anode, the
Schottky diode would divert the interfering current to ground.
The combination of the Schottky diode forward voltage and
the Vol saturation voltage of the driver output stage (oncondition) will keep the LED voltage at or below 0.8V. This will
prevent the LED (off-condition) from conducting any
significant forward current that might cause the HCPL-47XX
to turn on. Also, if the driver stage is an active totem-pole
output, the Schottky diode allows the active output pull-up
section to disconnect from the LED and pull high.
As shown in Figure 13, most active output driver integrated
circuits can source directly the forward current needed to
operate the LED of the HCPL-47XX optocoupler. The
advantage of using the silicon diode in this circuit is to conduct
charge out of the LED quickly when the LED is turned off.
Upon turn-on of the LED, the silicon diode capacitance will
provide a rapid charging path (peaking current) for the LED.
In addition, this silicon diode prevents common-mode current
from entering the LED anode when the driver IC is on and no
operating LED current exists.
In general, series switching the low input current of the HCPL47XX LED is not recommended. This is particularly valid
when in a high common-mode interference environment.
However, if series switching of the LED current must be done,
use an additional pull-up resistor from the cathode of the LED
to the input VCC as shown in Figure 15. This helps minimize
any differential-mode current from conducting in the LED
while the LED is off, due to a common-mode signal occurring
on the input VCC (anode) of the LED. The common-mode
signal coupling to the anode and cathode could be slightly
different. This could potentially create a LED current to flow
that would rival the normal, low input current needed to
operate the optocoupler. This additional parallel resistor can
help shunt any leakage current around the LED should the
drive circuit, in the off state, have any significant leakage
current on the order of 40 μA.
With the use of this parallel resistor, the total drive current
conducted when the LED is on is the sum of the parallel
resistor and LED currents. In the series circuit of Figure 15
with the LED off, if a common-mode voltage were to couple to
the LED cathode, there can be enough imbalance of
common-mode voltage across the LED to cause a LED
current to flow and, inadvertently, turn on the optocoupler.
This series, switching circuit has no protection against a
negative-transition, input common-mode signal.
AV01-0547EN
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HCPL-4701/-4731/-070A/-073A Data Sheet
Very Low Power Consumption High-Gain Optocouplers
Figure 12: Recommended Parallel LED Driver Circuit for
HCPL-4701/-4731
VCC
+
4.7 μF
Figure 13: Recommended Alternative LED Driver Circuit for
HCPL-4701/-4731L
– VF
V
R1 = CC
IF
0.1 μF
R1
R1 =
FOR VCC = 5 Vdc, IF = 40 μA
R1 = 91 kΩ (TYPICAL)
R1 = 75 kΩ (WORST CASE)
*
VOH – VF
IF
FOR VCC = 5 Vdc, IF = 40 μA
R1 = 36 kΩ (TYPICAL)
R1 = 30 kΩ (WORST CASE)
R1
*
HCPL-47XX
ACTIVE OUTPUT
OR
OPEN COLLECTOR
HCPL-47XX
ACTIVE OUTPUT
* USE ANY SIGNAL DIODE.
* USE ANY STANDARD SCHOTTKY DIODE.
R1 =
VCC – VF – VOL
IF
R2 =
0.8 V
IOH MAX
TOTAL DRIVE CURRENT USED:
– VF – VOL
V
– VOL
V
ITOTAL = CC
+ CC
R1
R2
VCC
+
4.7 μF
0.1 μF
R1
FOR VCC = 5 Vdc, IF = 40 μA
R1 = 82 kΩ (TYPICAL)
R1 = 62 kΩ (WORST CASE)
R2 = 8.2 kΩ AT IOH = 100 μA
ITOTAL = 640 μA (TYPICAL)
R2
HCPL-47XX
ACTIVE OUTPUT
OR
OPEN COLLECTOR
Broadcom
Figure 15: Thermal Derating Curve, Dependence of Safety
Limiting Value with Case Temperature per VDE 0884
OUTPUT POWER – PS, INPUT CURRENT – IS
Figure 14: Series LED Driver Circuit for HCPL-4701/-4731
800
PS (mW)
700
IS (mA)
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
0
25
50
75 100 125 150 175 200
TS – CASE TEMPERATURE – °C
AV01-0547EN
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