Analog Channel Isolation

RyanEverly

Hello,

I'm wondering if anyone has experience with deciding to use or not use external isolation boards/circuits to protect the Zotino analog channels from back EMF. We currently are using home built isolation boards to protect the ARTIQ cards but are having problems with signal distortion and are wondering if we can omit these entirely. From the documentation and previous discussions I was having trouble understanding the level of protection the cards already have and if any external setup is recommended.

Is keeping some external isolation recommended and has anyone had issues or experience with damaging channels in this way?

sb10q

In general analog isolators that go to DC are expensive and do introduce some noise and non-linearities. A full set of 32 high-performance ones is probably more expensive than a Zotino. If you do need isolation, it is better to isolate the digital side using e.g. DRTIO and a fiber.

If your concern is protection, it is simpler and cheaper to use resistors and Zener/TVS diodes.

What is your source of "back EMF"?

RyanEverly

We are using the Zotino channels to provide signals that will control various equipment, including high current power supplies (Delta electronika SM70-CP-450), Variable gain amplifiers (ADL5330), and home brew AOM driver cards (schematic attached). We are mainly concerned with protecting the Zotinos and it seems like the diodes should work in these cases?