Mitsubishi Motors adopts Analog Devices' low-power isolation technology for next-generation electric vehicle

NORWOOD, USA: Analog Devices Inc. announced that Mitsubishi Motors Corp. has adopted ADI’s iCoupler digital isolators to develop a safe, reliable and efficient Li-ion battery power system for the next-generation EV, the “i-MiEV” all-electric vehicle.

Mitsubishi Motors describes the vehicle as the ultimate eco-car that produces no CO2 emissions. Powered by 100 percent electrical power, the i-MiEV has a single-charge range of 160 kilometers1 and features a three-way charging system that allows a driver to charge the battery at home at 100 Volt or 200 Volt or at a remote quick-charge station.

The i-MiEV has won several awards, including the “Most Advanced Technology” award as selected by the Japan 2009-2010 Car of the Year2 supervisory board and the “2009 Car Technology of the Year” award as selected by the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame, a non-profit trade organization. The i-MiEV will be introduced in Japan during calendar year 2010.

“Mitsubishi Motors has demonstrated exemplary leadership and innovation in their approach to electric vehicle design and we are pleased that they selected our iCoupler digital isolation technology for the i-MiEV,” said Thomas Wessel, vice president, Automotive Group, Analog Devices. “Advances in battery technology for hybrid/electric vehicles require similar advances in isolation technology, such as higher levels of integration, temperature resistance and interfaces that eliminate the need for external signal conditioning. ADI’s digital isolation technology is effective for meeting these stringent requirements.”

ADI’s ADuM1402W and ADuM1201W iCoupler digital isolators provide the means to transmit data across the safety isolation barriers between the high-voltage Li-ion battery system electronics and standard vehicle electronic systems. The iCoupler isolators addressed additional requirements such as small size, low power consumption, and extended battery life for longer cruising ranges and maximum service life for the vehicle.

iCoupler products consume one-tenth to one-sixth of the power of optocouplers at comparable signal data rates (e.g. 0.8 mA per channel maximum @ 0 Mbps to 2 Mbps during 3 V operation). iCoupler digital isolators are available in industry-standard, small RoHS-compliant, SOIC (small-outline integrated circuit) packages.