Maxim delivers smallest power-efficient dual IO-link transceiver

By Carolyn Mathas, contributing writer

Industry 4.0 is gaining traction, requiring sensors and actuators to be ever smaller, more robust, and able to dissipate substantially less power. Maxim Integrated Products announced the MAX22513  dual-driver IO-Link device transceiver with DC/DC regulator and surge protection, claiming that it is the smallest and most power-efficient solution available to meet Industry 4.0 requirements.

Maxim’s highly integrated IC shrinks the solution size by 3× when compared with competing devices. Integrated surge protection eliminates the need for four TVS diodes compared to Maxim’s previous solution. All four IO pins (V₂₄ , C/Q, DO/DI, and GND) are reverse-voltage− protected, short-circuit−protected, and have ±1-kV/500-Ω surge protection. The combination of surge protection and reverse polarity enables robust communication within harsh manufacturing environments.

The dual-channel, low power IO-Link transceiver enables simpler design and faster time to market.

Additional features include the transceiver’s 4× lower power dissipation, made possible by low 2-Ω (typical) on-resistance drivers and a 300-mA (maximum load) DC/DC regulator with 80% efficiency. There is a selectable control interface, an internal high-efficiency DC/DC buck regulator, and two internal linear regulators that generate 5 V and 3.3 V, supplying up to 50 mA of current. Either an SPI or I² C interface can be used, and both full- and half-duplex SPI are supported. An internal MCLK 300 oscillator provides a clock source to a microcontroller for IO-Link communication.

Priced at $135, the MAX22513 evaluation kit includes an evaluation board, Windows-compatible software, and a graphical user interface (GUI). Also available is a fully tested MAXREFDES171# reference design for ±1.2-kV/500-Ω surge protection.

The MAX22513 is currently available in a tiny WLP package (4.1 × 2.1 mm) or 28-pin TQFN-EP package (3.5 × 5.5 mm) and operates over the −40°C to 125°C temperature range. It can be purchased at Maxim’s website for $3.75 each for quantities of 1,000+ FOB USA. It also is available from authorized distributors.