Therefore, when selecting an optocoupler, the designer must make sure the rise and fall times
are fast enough for the required signaling rate.
The current transfer ratio (CTR) is the ratio of output current to input current and relates to the
drive capabilities and logic thresholds of the circuit. The optocoupler must be efficient enough to
switch to valid logic levels under all conditions. Typical values of CTR range from 75% to 300%.
The pullup resistors (R2, R3, and R5) limit the current through the LED. A value of R2 that is too
large does not allow enough current for reliable switching. A value too low saturates the output
stage of the driving logic stage. A value of 330 Ω for R2 allows an LED current of approximately
10 mA, which is appropriate for most optocouplers.
The phototransistor biasing resistors (R1, R4, and R6) set the voltage levels for the isolated
logic outputs. For a typical optocoupler with CTR greater than 50% and LED current of 10 mA, a
value of 5.1 kΩ has abundant margin for switching logic levels.
Another implementation of the isolated interface is shown in Figure 3. In this Illustration,
optocouplers are used to transmit the digital signals across the isolation barrier. Optocouplers
are commonly used in applications where the superior performance of digital isolators is not
needed.