Digital Isolator Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2018-2028, Segmented By Technology (Capacitive Coupling, Magnetic Coupling, Giant Magneto Resistive and Others), By Insulating Material (Polyimide-based, Silicon Dioxide (Sio2)-based and Others), By Data Rate (Up To 25 Mbps, 25 – 75 Mbps, and Above 75 Mbps), By Channel Type (Channel 2, Channel 4, Channel 6, C

The Global Digital Isolator Market is projected to experience substantial growth during the forecast period of 2024-2028. This is primarily driven by the heightened utilization of advanced technology-based connected devices and a surging demand for consumer electronics that provide a noise-free experience. Furthermore, the increasing adoption of IoT devices and investments have contributed to the amplified global demand for digital isolator products.

Digital isolators, known as chips, are utilized to establish high-resistance isolation between an electronic system and its users during the transmission of analog and digital signals. Designers implement isolation to comply with safety regulations or mitigate ground loop noise.

In the market, isolators are primarily employed to safeguard components, ensure user safety, facilitate signal level shifting, and adhere to safety regulations. By enabling additional functionality and guaranteeing the system's safe operation, isolation components consistently enhance the system's value. Typically, incorporating isolation components enhances both component safety and circuit performance. Isolation devices allow multiple power domains to coexist and communicate, shielding sensitive circuits from switching circuits. Additionally, modern digital isolation enables extensive integration, reducing the number of circuit components required. The introduction of isolation devices may impact various factors, such as size, efficiency, cost, and performance.

Stringent battery safety requirements for automobiles are driving the Global Digital Isolator Market

Automobile OEMs around the world are eagerly anticipating the introduction of new models of electric vehicles (EVs). These include battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and full-hybrid electric vehicles (FHEVs). BEVs provide smooth, quiet, and emissions-free transportation, aligning with the growing trend towards electrification in automotive design. As this shift occurs, high-wattage power electronics play a crucial role in the new electronic drivetrain and battery systems.

One of the key challenges faced by designers in the field of automotive xEV applications is establishing effective communication between high voltage battery domain electronics and low voltage battery domain electronics. This challenge arises in various applications, such as battery current measurement, battery cell voltage monitoring, and motor control or high voltage contactor monitoring. To bridge the gap between the low-voltage digital controller and the high-voltage electronic systems within a modern electric vehicle, semiconductor-based galvanic isolation is necessary.

Digital isolators offer a solution that not only addresses this requirement but also brings additional benefits. By leveraging digital isolators, designers can significantly reduce both current consumption and PCB area, driving the growth of the Global Digital Isolator Market. This not only enhances the efficiency of the overall system but also contributes to the advancement of electric vehicle technology.

Increased Dependence on Electrical Equipment and Machinery is thriving the growth of Global Digital Isolator Market

Digital isolators find extensive use in various applications such as circuit design for electronic devices, robotics, and consumer electronics. These devices incorporate DC isolation types to ensure the safety of both the system and users from potential harm caused by high voltage. They exhibit reliable performance even in harsh industrial environments, effectively avoiding unstable conditions like rapid transients, high current surges, strong electromagnetic fields, and noise.

The demand for digital isolators is being propelled by the increasing manufacturing demand for consumer electronics and robotics products. The global consumer electronics market is expected to reach a value of USD 1 trillion by 2030, as per the World Economic Forum, driven by the growing consumer expenditure on technologically advanced devices and disposable income. By employing a digital isolation circuit, long-term reliability and fault-free operation of devices are guaranteed. These factors are anticipated to drive the growth of the Global Digital Isolator Market.

Rise in the number of safety regulations for industrial automation is boosting the growth of Global Digital Isolator Market

Integrated automated machine safety provides significant protection for operators of automated machines. The integration of electronic controls with multiple industrial systems via networks presents both benefits and challenges. Machine manufacturers and end users are adapting their approach to machine safety standards, aiming for cost-effective controls, easily obtainable machine parts, and minimal machine downtime. However, system integrators face the challenge of combining low-voltage, low-current data acquisition and networked communication systems with high-voltage, high-current machines like industrial robots and CNC machines.

To address this challenge, digital isolators are utilized to prevent direct current flow between different functional parts of electrical systems. These isolators play a crucial role in providing signal isolation and level shifting in high-voltage equipment, ensuring the proper functioning of various circuits while also protecting users from electric shocks. Within connected factories, isolation devices are essential for the effective operation of sensors, data acquisition systems, and high-speed communication infrastructures. As the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) expands, the demand for isolated devices is expected to rise significantly.

Leading digital isolator manufacturers, such as Silicon Labs and Maxim Integrated, offer products specifically designed for industrial automation. For instance, Silicon Labs provides replacement systems like the Si838x PLC input isolator, the Si834x isolated switch, and the Si875x SSR, which are ideal for industrial automation equipment. Maxim Integrated offers the MAX22445 digital isolator, ensuring the safety and efficiency of compact industrial automation systems. These factors contribute to the growth of the Global Digital Isolator Market.

Noise free Electrical and Electronic Circuits are boosting the growth of Global Digital Isolator Market

The demand for noise-free electrical and electronic circuits has significantly increased. Ground loops, which occur when connected circuit terminals have different ground potentials, are a common cause of unwanted noise and circuit malfunction. To address this, digital isolators are utilized to break ground loops and ensure consistent ground potentials across all circuits. These devices allow analog signals to pass through while blocking the galvanic path that connects different ground potentials, effectively eliminating electrical noise caused by AC continuity. Additionally, digital isolators help prevent the risk of electric shock to users and circuit damage caused by unwanted conducted noise resulting from changes in ground potential. As a result, these factors are expected to drive the growth of the global digital isolator market.

High costs of Digital Isolators compared to Optocouplers

Digital isolators outperform conventional optocouplers, which are electronic devices consisting of an LED emitter and a photodetector that are physically separated. In terms of propagation delays, data rate, and noise reduction, digital isolators excel. However, optocouplers are less expensive than digital isolators, making them a popular choice for isolating slow digital signals at a low cost. Despite the availability of affordable digital isolators from various companies, their use in PV inverters is limited. They are manufactured using conventional semiconductor process technology to achieve functional integration and channel counts, helping to offset the high cost of alternative isolation technologies.

Complementary metal oxide-semiconductor (CMOS), a digital isolator process technology, is gaining popularity among designers. It enables the creation of isolated circuits that are low-cost, compact, reliable, and energy-efficient compared to optocouplers. The price of digital isolators depends on their type, current-passing capability, and intended application. Devices with more channels and higher data rates are generally more expensive than those with fewer channels and lower data rates. Although manufacturers are developing low-cost digital isolators, optocouplers still tend to be more affordable.

These factors are expected to impede the growth of the Global Digital Isolator Market.

Market Segmentation

The Global Digital Isolator Market is classified based on technology, insulating material, data rate, channel type, industry, region, and competitive landscape. In terms of technology, the market is divided into the capacitive coupling, magnetic coupling, giant magneto resistive, and other technologies. The insulating material segment comprises of polyimide-based, silicon dioxide (SiO2)-based, and other materials. Furthermore, the data rate category is categorized into up to 25 mbps, 25 – 75 mbps, and above 75 mbps. The channel type section includes channel 2, channel 4, channel 6, channel 8, and other channel types. The market is also segmented by industry verticals such as automotive, IT & telecommunications, aerospace & defense, consumer electronics, energy & power, and other sectors. Lastly, the regional analysis covers North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, South America, and the Middle East & Africa

Market players

The main market players in the Global Digital Isolator Market are Texas Instruments, Inc., STMicroelectronics N.V., Infineon Technologies AG, Murata Manufacturing Company Ltd., Broadcom Inc., DigiKey Corporation, Analog Devices, Inc., Vicor Corporation, Advantech Co Ltd., NXP Semiconductors N.V.