I need to switch a 70 Vpp analog signal from a low voltage (1V8 or 3V3) digital output. The analog signal may or may not be isolated. What is the easiest and/or cheapest method?
Digital switching of high voltage analog signal
analogswitches
Related Solutions
As the comment says, you can get a much better answer to this question if you give us some more information. One thing that's not clear is, are the signals your talking about actually meant to convey power to their receiver, or just control power that's already available there.
I'll assume these are just control signals.
I can think of two simple ways to accomplish what I think you want.
Simply sum the two signals. Because the digital signal has such a high magnitude, you'll have a signal between 0 and 10 V when the digital value is low, and between 24 and 34 V when the digital value is high. At the receiver, use a comparator with a 17 V threshold to extract the digital value, then subtract it off to recover the analog value. You will likely have some glitches in the recovered analog value whenever the digital value switches -- how you deal with those will depend on details of your requirements that you haven't shared.
Modulate one or the other of your two signals onto a high-frequency carrier. For example, use the digital signal to switch a (for example) 100 kHz sine wave onto your signal line. (I'm assuming your analog signal is only changing slowly. If your analog signal has high frequency content, then the details of how to do this will depend on what are the frequencies in the analog signal). At the receiver end, use a low-pass filter to extract the analog signal; and a high-pass filter and a rectifier to extract the digital signal.
Edit
Your edit helps quite a bit. It sounds like you can just use a switch like the ADG202A you mentioned, with no other op-amps or anything needed. Use the digital signal to control the switch. Route the analog signal through the switch to the machine under control. Use a pull-down resistor to pull the control voltage to 0 when the switch is opened. If you are worried that the analog voltage might be accidentally programmed below 0 and this could damage the machine, you could add a diode between the control pin and ground to prevent the control voltage dropping (much) below ground.
Some things you still need to explain to know if this will work: How much current can your programmable analog source generate? How much current is required at the control input of your machine?
** Edit 2 **
Here's a diagram of what it sounds like you want:
This will set the machine power to 0 when the digital signal is 0. If you want it the other way, you can use the ADG201A NC switch instead.
The ADG202A has a fairly high 60-Ohm on resistance. If the machine draws significant current at the control input you may need to locate a switch with lower on-resistance, or buffer the signal with an op-amp between the switch and the machine.
Typically you'd use a comparator for this. Or you could make a transistor version with a long-tailed pair.
A Schmitt-trigger would be a nice solution for a 0 to 5V input:
(Source)
But you pointed to an op-amp circuit...
Here's the idea. An opamp as a comparator with logic output.
It's worth reading through ADI's application note on that (source for the picture).
Their Conclusion is accurate in my opinion and worth bearing in mind:
"In conclusion, although op amps are not designed to be used as comparators, there are, nevertheless, many applications where the use of an op amp as a comparator is a proper engineering decision. It is important to make an educated decision to ensure that the op amp chosen performs as expected"
Best Answer
Easiest way is to use a telecom type relay.
All you need is a suitable relay driver.
They're fully characterized for the frequency range you're interested in (and well beyond).
Added in edit:
Since you need to switch quickly, something like this may work for you:
At 3ms it may be a bit marginal for 100Hz switching, depending on what exactly you're doing, but the 350usec (typical) models don't look too bad to me. You could always use a series/shunt arrangement if you need to increase the off attenuation.