0 Contact Us

Design and Evaluation of a USB Isolator for Embedded Product

Sonali Jaysing Karale*, Pratibha Chavan**, Deepti Pande***

*-*** Department of Digital System (Electronics), Trinity College of Engineering and Management Research, Pune, India.

Periodicity:July - December'2025

Abstract

The rapid evolution of digital electronics has transformed how embedded systems interface with personal computers and industrial equipment. Among various communication protocols, the Universal Serial Bus (USB) stands out for its versatility, speed, and plug-and-play functionality. However, in applications where electrical noise, ground potential variations, or high voltages exist, such as industrial automation or medical instrumentation, direct USB connections can compromise safety and signal integrity. This paper presents the design and evaluation of a galvanically isolated USB interface that provides reliable communication between embedded devices and host systems while maintaining electrical isolation. The proposed design integrates a data isolation stage using ISOUSB111 and an isolated DC–DC converter for power separation. Together, these ensure complete protection against transient voltages, electrostatic discharge (ESD), and ground loops. Complying with IEC 60601-1 medical safety standards, the design achieves robust isolation suitable for medical and industrial environments. Experimental validation demonstrates stable USB 2.0 full- speed data transfer (12 Mbps) and reinforced insulation capable of withstanding 5 kV AC potential difference.

Keywords

Galvanic Isolation, USB Interface, ISOUSB111, Embedded System, IEC60601-1, Medical Safety.

How to Cite this Article?

Karale, S. J., Chavan, P., and Pande, D. (2025). Design and Evaluation of a USB Isolator for Embedded Product. i-manager’s Journal on Instrumentation & Control Engineering, 13(2), 33-41.

References

[1]. Ayaz, H., Onaral, B., Izzetoglu, K., Shewokis, P. A., McKendrick, R., & Parasuraman, R. (2013). Continuous monitoring of brain dynamics with functional near infrared spectroscopy as a tool for neuroergonomic research: empirical examples and a technological development. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 7, 871.

[2]. Balters, S., & Steinert, M. (2017). Capturing emotion reactivity through physiology measurement as a foundation for affective engineering in engineering design science and engineering practices. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, 28(7), 1585-1607.

[3]. Flynn, D. (2015). Challenges for power supplies in medical equipment: Ensuring patient and operator safety. IEEE Power Electronics Magazine, 2(2), 32-37.

[4]. Gazzana, D. S., Bretas, A. S., Dias, G. A., Telló, M., Thomas, D. W., & Christopoulos, C. (2014). A study of human safety against lightning considering the grounding system and the evaluation of the associated parameters. Electric Power Systems Research, 113, 88-94.

[5]. González, E. A., Cagnolo, F. J., Olmos, C. E., Centeno, C. A., Riva, G. G., & Zerbini, C. A. (2007). Medical data transmission system for remote healthcare centres. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 90(1), 012029.

[6]. González-Briceño, G., Medow, J. E., Ortega-Cisneros, S., Lorias-Espinoza, D., Minor-Martínez, A., & Webster, J. G. (2018). Design and evaluation of a USB isolator for medical instrumentation. IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 68(3), 797-806.

[7]. Harley, I. (2025). Anaesthesia: An Introduction (5th ed.). IP Communications.

[8]. Huang, Q., Chang, S., Peng, J., Mao, X., Zhou, Y., & Wang, H. (2012). An implementation of SOPC-based neural monitoring system. IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 61(9), 2469-2475.

[9]. Huang, Z., Wang, Z., Lv, X., Zhou, Y., Wang, H., & Zong, S. (2014). A novel functional electrical stimulation-control system for restoring motor function of post-stroke hemiplegic patients. Neural Regeneration Research, 9(23), 2102-2110.

[10]. Mack, C. A. (2011). Fifty years of Moore's law. IEEE Transactions on Semiconductor Manufacturing, 24(2), 202-207.

[11]. Mohino-Herranz, I., Gil-Pita, R., Ferreira, J., Rosa-Zurera, M., & Seoane, F. (2015). Assessment of mental, emotional and physical stress through analysis of physiological signals using smartphones. Sensors, 15(10), 25607-25627.

[12]. Peterson, J. I., & Vurek, G. G. (1984). Fiber-optic sensors for biomedical applications. Science, 224(4645), 123-127.

[13]. Pokorny, C., Breitwieser, C., & Müller-Putz, G. R. (2013). A tactile stimulation device for EEG measurements in clinical use. IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Circuits and Systems, 8(3), 305-312.

[14]. Popov, V. V., Supin, A. Y., Rozhnov, V. V., Nechaev, D. I., Sysuyeva, E. V., Klishin, V. O., ... & Tarakanov, M. B. (2013). Hearing threshold shifts and recovery after noise exposure in beluga whales, Delphinapterus leucas. Journal of Experimental Biology, 216(9), 1587-1596.

[15]. Suaste-Gómez, E., Hernández-Rivera, D., Sánchez-Sánchez, A. S., & Villarreal-Calva, E. (2014). Electrically insulated sensing of respiratory rate and heartbeat using optical fibers. Sensors, 14(11), 21523-21534.

[16]. Sysueva, E. V., Nechaev, D. I., Popov, V. V., & Supin, A. Y. (2014). Frequency tuning of hearing in the beluga whale: Discrimination of rippled spectra. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 135(2), 963-974.

[17]. Toroid Technology. (2003). ISB-100W Datasheet. Bolton, ON, Canada.

[18]. Tsyganov, A., Petru, J., Skoda, J., Sediva, L., Hala, P., Weichet, J., & Reddy, V. Y. (2015). Anatomical predictors for successful pulmonary vein isolation using balloon-based technologies in atrial fibrillation. Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology, 44(3), 265-271.

[19]. Webster, J. G. (Ed.). (2010). Medical Instrumentation: Application and Design (4th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.

[20]. Xu, B., Song, A., Zhao, G., Xu, G., Pan, L., Yang, R., & Cui, J. (2015). Design and evaluation of a motor imagery electroencephalogram-controlled robot system. Advances in Mechanical Engineering, 7(3), 1687814015573607.

If you have access to this article please login to view the article or kindly login to purchase the article

Username/Email

Password

Forgot password?

Remember me

Don't have an account? Sign Up

Purchase Instant Access

Single Article

	North Americas,UK, Middle East,Europe		India	Rest of world
	USD	EUR	INR	USD-ROW
Pdf	35	35	200	20
Online	15	15	200	15
Pdf & Online	35	35	400	25

ADD TO CART

Options for accessing this content:

If you would like institutional access to this content, please recommend the title to your librarian.
If you already have i-manager's user account: Login above and proceed to purchase the article.
New Users: Please register, then proceed to purchase the article.

Alert

Full Article Now Not Available

Submit New Paper Track Paper Status Buy Journal Track Your Subscription Journal Archive

Authors Institutions/Librarians Agents Conferences

About Us Contact FAQ Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Refund & cancellation Policy