Digital isolators with overvoltage tolerant inputs can allow the designer to reduce usage of board area and component count. In applications where signal overshoot or transient voltages are a concern, traditional digital isolators may require additional filtering or protection components, such as resistors, capacitors, or other components. Digital isolators with overvoltage tolerant inputs can reduce or eliminate the need for some of these components, simplifying the overall design.

Reducing the number of external components can also help lower BOM cost and simplify PCB layout. Fewer components around the isolation interface can provide additional board space for other circuitry while reducing assembly requirements and potential points of failure.

Digital isolators with overvoltage tolerant inputs are also available in smaller, PCB-optimized package options, such as the DFP and DFB packages. This allows designers to take advantage of the overvoltage tolerant inputs capability while selecting a package that allows for a refined, area-optimized design.

Figure 3-8 illustrates the package comparison between some of the popular package options, such as 16DW, 8D, to the new package options for digital isolators with overvoltage tolerant inputs, such as 16DFP, 16DFB and 10DFB. More information regarding package options and digital isolator selection can be found on the Digital Isolator Selection Guide.