Safeguard your sensitive electronics with ISO6521 and PIC32MX470F512H
Reliable digital signal isolation solution for enhanced protection
Published Apr 08, 2025
Click board™
DIGI Isolator 3 Click
Dev. board
6LoWPAN clicker
Compiler
NECTO Studio
MCU
PIC32MX470F512H
Protect and isolate digital signals with high-speed performance and EMI immunity
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Hardware Overview
How does it work?
DIGI Isolator 3 Click is based on the ISO6521, a dual-channel digital isolator from Texas Instruments designed for general-purpose signal isolation in non-safety applications. This high-performance component ensures reliable operation across a wide range of industrial and embedded systems by providing electrical isolation between two sides of a circuit, breaking ground loops and protecting sensitive components from noise and transient voltages. Engineered to deliver strong immunity against electromagnetic interference while keeping emissions at a minimum, the ISO6521 ensures dependable operation in noisy environments. This makes DIGI Isolator 3 Click ideal for use in a variety of applications including power supplies, electricity metering systems, motor control units, industrial and building automation, lighting systems, smart appliances, and any application where protection and signal integrity are essential. At its core, the ISO6521 integrates two unidirectional isolation channels, with one channel dedicated to each direction, allowing bidirectional communication while maintaining isolation. Each channel features a logic input and output buffer that are galvanically separated by TI’s advanced silicon dioxide (SiO2) double capacitive isolation technology. This structure enables the ISO6521 to
support a working voltage of up to 200VRMS or 280VDC, and withstand transient overvoltages up to 570VRMS or 800VDC for up to 60 seconds. The device operates at data rates of up to 50Mbps, making it suitable for high-speed communication between system blocks. One of the key advantages of DIGI Isolator 3 Click lies in its flexible power supply configuration. Thanks to the isolated design, both sides of the ISO6521 can be powered independently within a wide supply voltage range of 1.71V to 5.5V, making it highly adaptable for use as both a logic level translator and an isolator. Furthermore, the isolator ensures a default HIGH output in the event of input power or signal loss, adding an extra layer of stability and fault tolerance to critical communication lines. This Click board™ is designed in a unique format supporting the newly introduced MIKROE feature called "Click Snap." Unlike the standardized version of Click boards, this feature allows the main IC area to become movable by breaking the PCB, opening up many new possibilities for implementation. Thanks to the Snap feature, the ISO6521 can operate autonomously by accessing its signals directly on the pins marked 1-8. Additionally, the Snap part includes a specified and fixed screw hole position, enabling users to secure the Snap board in their
desired location. Signal selection for isolation on the DIGI Isolator 3 Click is configured using two 4-position jumpers labeled GP1 SEL and GP2 SEL. These jumpers allow the user to choose which signals from the mikroBUS™ socket will be routed to the input/output channels of the isolator. The GP1 SEL jumper offers a selection among the RST, SCL, RX, and PWM signals, corresponding to positions 1 through 4 respectively, while the GP2 SEL jumper provides the same selection method for the AN, SDA, TX, and INT signals. Once the desired signals are selected using the GPx SEL jumpers, the final configuration step is done through the GPIO1 and GPIO2 jumpers located in the Snap section of the board. These jumpers determine which of the previously selected signals will actually be isolated and routed through the A/B I/O channels of the ISO6521 isolator. This Click board™ can operate with either 3.3V or 5V logic voltage levels selected via the VCC SEL jumper. This way, both 3.3V and 5V capable MCUs can use the communication lines properly. Also, this Click board™ comes equipped with a library containing easy-to-use functions and an example code that can be used as a reference for further development.
Features overview
Development board
6LoWPAN Clicker is a compact starter development board that brings the flexibility of add-on Click boards™ to your favorite microcontroller, making it a perfect starter kit for implementing your ideas. It comes with an onboard 32-bit PIC microcontroller, the PIC32MX470F512H from Microchip, a USB connector, LED indicators, buttons, a mikroProg connector, and a header for interfacing with external electronics. Along with this microcontroller, the board also contains a 2.4GHz ISM band transceiver, allowing you to add wireless communication to your target application. Its compact design provides a fluid and immersive working experience, allowing access anywhere
and under any circumstances. Each part of the 6LoWPAN Clicker development kit contains the components necessary for the most efficient operation of the same board. In addition to the possibility of choosing the 6LoWPAN Clicker programming method, using USB HID mikroBootloader, or through an external mikroProg connector for PIC, dsPIC, or PIC32 programmer, the Clicker board also includes a clean and regulated power supply module for the development kit. The USB Micro-B connection can provide up to 500mA of current for the Clicker board, which is more than enough to operate all onboard and additional modules, or it can power
over two standard AA batteries. All communication methods that mikroBUS™ itself supports are on this board, including the well-established mikroBUS™ socket, reset button, and several buttons and LED indicators. 6LoWPAN Clicker is an integral part of the Mikroe ecosystem, allowing you to create a new application in minutes. Natively supported by Mikroe software tools, it covers many aspects of prototyping thanks to a considerable number of different Click boards™ (over a thousand boards), the number of which is growing every day.
Microcontroller Overview
MCU Card / MCU
Architecture
PIC32
MCU Memory (KB)
512
Silicon Vendor
Microchip
Pin count
64
RAM (Bytes)
131072
Used MCU Pins
mikroBUS™ mapper
Take a closer look
Click board™ Schematic
Step by step
Project assembly
Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the 6LoWPAN clicker as your development board.
Track your results in real time
Application Output
1. Application Output - In Debug mode, the 'Application Output' window enables real-time data monitoring, offering direct insight into execution results. Ensure proper data display by configuring the environment correctly using the provided tutorial.
2. UART Terminal - Use the UART Terminal to monitor data transmission via a USB to UART converter, allowing direct communication between the Click board™ and your development system. Configure the baud rate and other serial settings according to your project's requirements to ensure proper functionality. For step-by-step setup instructions, refer to the provided tutorial.
3. Plot Output - The Plot feature offers a powerful way to visualize real-time sensor data, enabling trend analysis, debugging, and comparison of multiple data points. To set it up correctly, follow the provided tutorial, which includes a step-by-step example of using the Plot feature to display Click board™ readings. To use the Plot feature in your code, use the function: plot(*insert_graph_name*, variable_name);. This is a general format, and it is up to the user to replace 'insert_graph_name' with the actual graph name and 'variable_name' with the parameter to be displayed.
Software Support
Library Description
DIGI Isolator 3 Click demo application is developed using the NECTO Studio, ensuring compatibility with mikroSDK's open-source libraries and tools. Designed for plug-and-play implementation and testing, the demo is fully compatible with all development, starter, and mikromedia boards featuring a mikroBUS™ socket.
Example Description
This example demonstrates the use of an DIGI Isolator 3 Click board by showing the communication between the two Click board configured as a receiver and transmitter.
Key functions:
digiisolator3_cfg_setup- This function initializes Click configuration structure to initial values.digiisolator3_init- This function initializes all necessary pins and peripherals used for this Click board.digiisolator3_generic_write- This function writes a desired number of data bytes by using UART serial interface.digiisolator3_generic_read- This function reads a desired number of data bytes by using UART serial interface.
Application Init
Initializes the driver and logger and displays the selected application mode.
Application Task
Depending on the selected mode, it reads all the received data or sends the desired message every 2 seconds.
Open Source
Code example
The complete application code and a ready-to-use project are available through the NECTO Studio Package Manager for direct installation in the NECTO Studio. The application code can also be found on the MIKROE GitHub account.
/*!
* @file main.c
* @brief DIGI Isolator 3 Click Example.
*
* # Description
* This example demonstrates the use of an DIGI Isolator 3 Click board by showing
* the communication between the two Click board configured as a receiver and transmitter.
*
* The demo application is composed of two sections :
*
* ## Application Init
* Initializes the driver and logger and displays the selected application mode.
*
* ## Application Task
* Depending on the selected mode, it reads all the received data or sends the desired
* message every 2 seconds.
*
* @note
* Make sure to provide a power supply voltage to the isolated VIN connector in a range
* from 2.25V to 5.5V.
*
* @author Stefan Filipovic
*
*/
#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "digiisolator3.h"
// Comment out the line below in order to switch the application mode to receiver
#define DEMO_APP_TRANSMITTER
#define DEMO_TEXT_MESSAGE "MIKROE - DIGI Isolator 3 Click board\r\n"
static digiisolator3_t digiisolator3;
static log_t logger;
void application_init ( void )
{
log_cfg_t log_cfg; /**< Logger config object. */
digiisolator3_cfg_t digiisolator3_cfg; /**< Click config object. */
/**
* Logger initialization.
* Default baud rate: 115200
* Default log level: LOG_LEVEL_DEBUG
* @note If USB_UART_RX and USB_UART_TX
* are defined as HAL_PIN_NC, you will
* need to define them manually for log to work.
* See @b LOG_MAP_USB_UART macro definition for detailed explanation.
*/
LOG_MAP_USB_UART( log_cfg );
log_init( &logger, &log_cfg );
log_info( &logger, " Application Init " );
// Click initialization.
digiisolator3_cfg_setup( &digiisolator3_cfg );
DIGIISOLATOR3_MAP_MIKROBUS( digiisolator3_cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
if ( UART_ERROR == digiisolator3_init( &digiisolator3, &digiisolator3_cfg ) )
{
log_error( &logger, " Communication init." );
for ( ; ; );
}
#ifdef DEMO_APP_TRANSMITTER
log_printf( &logger, " Application Mode: Transmitter\r\n" );
#else
log_printf( &logger, " Application Mode: Receiver\r\n" );
#endif
log_info( &logger, " Application Task " );
}
void application_task ( void )
{
#ifdef DEMO_APP_TRANSMITTER
digiisolator3_generic_write( &digiisolator3, DEMO_TEXT_MESSAGE, strlen( DEMO_TEXT_MESSAGE ) );
log_printf( &logger, "%s", ( char * ) DEMO_TEXT_MESSAGE );
Delay_ms( 1000 );
Delay_ms( 1000 );
#else
uint8_t rx_data = 0;
if ( digiisolator3_generic_read( &digiisolator3, &rx_data, 1 ) > 0 )
{
log_printf( &logger, "%c", rx_data );
}
#endif
}
int main ( void )
{
/* Do not remove this line or clock might not be set correctly. */
#ifdef PREINIT_SUPPORTED
preinit();
#endif
application_init( );
for ( ; ; )
{
application_task( );
}
return 0;
}
// ------------------------------------------------------------------------ END
Additional Support
Resources
Category:Port expander
