6N138

High Sensitivity, High Speed

6N138 OPIC Photocoupler

■ Features ■ Outline Dimensions ( Unit : mm )

1. High current transfer ratio Internal connection
( CTR : MIN. 300% at I F = 1.6mA ) 0.85 ± 0.3 1.2 ± 0.3 diagram
8 7 6 5 8 7 6 5
2. High speed response
( t PHL : TYP. 2 µ s at R L = 2.2kΩ )

6.5 ± 0.5
6N138
3. Instantaneous common mode rejection
voltage ( CM H : TYP. 500V/ µ s )
1 2 3 4 0.8 ± 0.2 1 2 3 4
4. TTL compatible output 1.2 ± 0.3
Primary side mark (Sunken place ) 7.62 ± 0.3
5. Overseas standard model
9.22 ± 0.5

0.5TYP
3.5 ± 0.5
6. Recognized by UL, file No. E64380.

3.7 ± 0.5
■ Applications θ
θ = 0 to 13 ˚ θ
0.26 ± 0.1
1. Interfaces for computer peripherals 0.5 ± 0.1 2.54 ± 0.25

2. Electronic calculators, measuring instruments,

1 NC 5 GND
control equipment 2 Anode 6 VO
3. Telephone sets 3 Cathode 7 VB
4. Signal transmission between circuits of 4 NC 8 V CC

different potentials and impedances * “ OPIC ” ( Optical IC ) is a trademark of the SHARP Corporation.
An OPIC consists of a light-detecting element and signal-
processing circuit integrated onto a single chip.
■ Absolute Maximum Ratings ( Ta = 25˚C )
Parameter Symbol Rating Unit
Forward current IF 20 mA
*1
Peak forward current IF 40 mA
*2
Input Peak transient forward current I FM 1 A
Reverse voltage VR 5 V
Power dissipation P 35 mW
Supply voltage V CC - 0.5 to + 7 V
Output voltage VO - 0.5 to + 7 V
Emitter-base reverse
Output V EBO 0.5 V
withstand voltage ( pin 5 to 7 )
*3
Average output current IO 60 mA
Power dissipation PO 100 mW
*4
Isolation voltage V iso 2 500 V rms
Operating temperature T opr 0 to + 70 ˚C
Storage temperature T stg - 55 to + 125 ˚C
*5
Soldering temperature T sol 260 ˚C
*1 50% duty cycle, Pulse width: 1ms
*2 pulse width <=1µ s, 300pps
*3 Decreases at the rate of 0.7mA /˚C if the external temperature is 25˚C or more.
*4 40 to 60% RH, AC for 1 minute
*5 For 10 seconds

“ In the absence of confirmation by device specification sheets, SHARP takes no responsibility for any defects that occur in equipment using any of SHARP's devices, shown in catalogs,
data books, etc. Contact SHARP in order to obtain the latest version of the device specification sheets before using any SHARP's device.”
 6N138

■ Electro-optical Characteristics ( Ta = 0 to 70˚C unless otherwise specified )

Parameter Symbol Conditions MIN. TYP. MAX. Unit
*1
Current transfer ratio CTR I F = 1.6mA, V O = 0.4V, V CC = 4.5V 300 1 600 - %
Logic ( 0 ) output voltage V OL I O= 4.8mA, V CC= 4.5V, I F= 1.6mA - 0.1 0.4 V
Logic (1) output current I OH I F = 0, V CC = V O = 7V - 0.1 250 µA
Logic ( 0 ) supply current I CCL I F = 1.6mA, V CC= 5V, V O = open - 0.5 - mA
Logic (1) supply current I CCH I F = 0, V CC = 5V, V O = open - 10 - nA
Input forward voltage VF I F = 1.6mA, Ta = 25˚C - 1.5 1.7 V
Input forward voltage
*2 I F = 1.6mA - - 1.9 - mV/˚C
temperature coefficient
Input reverse voltage BV R I R = 10 µA, Ta = 25˚C 5.0 - - V
Input capacitance C IN V F = 0, f = 1MHz - 60 - pF
*3
Leak current Ta = 25˚C, 45% RH, t = 5s
( input-output )
I I-O - - 1.0 µA
V I-O = 3kV DC
*3
Isolation resistance ( input-output ) R I-O V I-O = 500V DC - 1012
- Ω
*3
Capacitance ( input-output ) CI-O f = 1MHz - 0.6 - pF
*1 Current transfer ratio is a ratio of input current and output Note ) Typical value : at Ta = 25˚C, VCC = 5V
current expressed in % .
*2 ∆ V F / ∆ Ta
*3 Measured as 2-pin element ( Short 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, 6, 7, 8. )

■ Switching Characteristics ( Ta = 25˚C, VCC = 5V)

Parameter Symbol Conditions MIN. TYP. MAX. Unit
*4
Propagation delay time I F = 1.6mA
t PHL - 2 10 µs
Output (1) → ( 0 ) R L = 2.2kΩ
*4
Propagation delay time I F = 1.6mA
t PLH - 7 35 µs
Output ( 0 ) → (1) R L = 2.2kΩ
*5
*6Instantaneous common mode CM H
I F = 0, VCM = 10V P-P
- 500 - V/ µ s
rejection voltage “ Output (1)” R L = 2.2kΩ
*5
*6Instantaneous common mode I F = 1.6mA, VCM = 10V
V/ µ s
P-P
CM L - - 500 -
rejection voltage “ Output ( 0 ) ” R L = 2.2kΩ
*5 Instantaneous common mode rejection voltage “ output (1)” represents a common mode voltage variation that can hold
the output above (1) level ( VO > 2.0V) .
Instantaneous common mode rejection voltage “ output ( 0 ) ” represents a common mode voltage variation that can hold
the output above ( 0 ) level ( VO < 0.8V) .

*4 Test circuit for Propagation Delay Time

Pulse oscillator IF
Pulse input
duty ratio IF 0
= 1/10 1 5 VCC
VO 5V
2 6 RL
3 7 VO 1.5V 1.5V
IF monitor 4 8 VOL
CL = 15pF
100 Ω t PHL t PLH
 6N138

*6 Test Circuit for Instantaneous Common Mode Rejection Voltage

IF t r = tf = 16ns
1 8 VCC = 5V 10V 10%
90%
2 7 RL VCM 10% 90%
0V tr tf
3 6 Vo
A
B 4 5 CMH
VO 5V
VFF IF = 0 2V
VCM
CML 0.8V
VO VOL
IF = 16mA

Fig. 1 Forward Current vs. Fig. 2 Power Dissipation vs.

Ambient Temperature Ambient Temperature
30 120

PO
100
Power dissipation P, P o ( mW )
Forward current I F ( mA )

20 80

60

10 40
35 P
20

0 0
0 25 50 70 75 100 0 25 50 70 75 100
Ambient temperature T ( ˚C ) Ambient temperature T a ( ˚C )
a

Fig. 3 Forward Current vs. Forward Voltage Fig. 4 Output Current vs. Output Voltage

100 60
V CC = 5V
PO
(M

T a = 25˚C
I F = 5mA
A

50
X
.)

4.5mA
Forward current I F ( mA )

10
Output current I O ( mA )

4.0mA
40 3.5mA
3.0mA
T a = 0˚C
1 30 2.5mA
25˚C 2.0mA
50˚C
20
70˚C 1.5mA
0.1
1.0mA
10
0.5mA

0.01 0
1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 0 1 2
Forward voltage V F ( V ) Output voltage V O ( V )
 6N138

Fig. 5 Current Transfer Ratio vs. Fig. 6 Output Current vs. Forward Current
Forward Current
50
V CC = 4.5V
1 000 T a = 70˚C V O = 0.4V
10
Current transfer ratio CTR ( % )

25˚C

Output current I O ( mA )
0˚C
800 T a = 70˚C
1

600

0.1 25˚C
0˚C
400

0.01 V CC = 5.0V
200 0.004 V O = 0.4V
0.1 1 10 100 0.01 0.1 1 10 100
Forward current I F ( mA ) Forward current I F ( mA )

Fig. 7-a Propagation Delay Time vs. Fig. 7-b Propagation Delay Time vs.
Ambient Temperature Ambient Temperature
2 10
I F = 12mA I F = 0.5mA
RL = 270 Ω
(µs )

( µs ) RL = 4.7kΩ
1/f = 100 µ s 1/f = 1ms
PLH
PLH

,t
,t

t PLH
PHL
PHL
Propagation delay time t

Propagation delay time t

t PLH
1 5 t PHL

t PHL

0 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Ambient temperature T a ( ˚C ) Ambient temperature T a ( ˚C )

Fig. 8 Rise Time, Fall Time vs. Fig. 9 Logic ( 1 ) Supply Current vs.
Load Resistance Ambient Temperature
1 000 10 -6
Adjust I F to V OL = 2V I F = 0mA
V CC = 15V
T a = 25˚C
V O = OPEN
Logic ( 1 ) supply current I CCH ( A )
Rise time, fall time t r , t f ( µ s )

10 -7

100

10 -8

tf
10
10 -9
tr

1 10 - 10

0.1 1 10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Load resistance RL ( k Ω ) Ambient temperature T a ( ˚C )
 6N138

*7 Test Circuit for Rise Time, Fall Time vs. Load Resistance

Input
IF
O
Pulse
Output 5V
Pulse oscillator VO (saturated)
input IF
Duty ratio 1 8 VCC 1.5V 1.5V
= 1 / 10 VOL
2 7 RL
tPHL tPLH
3 6 VO
IF monitor
4 5 CL = 15 PF 10% 90% 5V
100 Ω 90% 10% 2V

tr tf
Output
(non-saturated)

■ Precautions for Use

( 1 ) It is recommended that a by-pass capacitor of more than 0.01 µ F be added between V CC and
GND near the device in order to stabilize power supply line.
( 2 ) Transistor of detector side in bipolar configuration is apt to be affected by static electricity
for its minute design. When handling them, general counterplan against static electricity
should be taken to avoid breakdown of devices or degradation of characteristics.
( 3 ) As for other general cautions, refer to the chapter “ Precautions for Use ” .