Dallas Semiconductor's New Timekeeper Is First to Combine Processor Reset and Back-up Switching at Ultra-Low Voltages.Business Editors DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 15, 2000 Dallas Semiconductor's (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :DS) DS1672 Low-Voltage Serial Timekeeping Chip is the first ultra-low voltage timekeeper with sophisticated power monitoring circuitry and power-fail switches. Previously, several parts were required to fill these capabilities in the 2.0V to 3.3V ranges; now the single-chip combination enables more efficient and cost-effective board designs. The DS1672 is also the first low-voltage timekeeper to offer the option of an automatic switch to trickle charging Trickle charging, also called float charging, means charging a battery at the same rate as it is self-discharging, thus maintaining a full capacity battery. Most rechargeable batteries, particularly nickel-cadmium batteries or nickel metal hydride batteries, have a moderate . Communicating with a processor over a 2-wire interface, the DS1672's 32-bit counter counts seconds, from which a software algorithm computes time of day, week, month and year. Silicon clocks are used in all kinds of computers and computerized systems; the DS1672's low-voltage operation is critical to battery-operated equipment such as cell phones, GPS devices, palm-size computers and laptops. Product manager Jim Waldron said, "The DS1672 brings a new ultra-low voltage capability to the Dallas line-up of low-power CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) Pronounced "c-moss." The most widely used integrated circuit design. It is found in almost every electronic product from handheld devices to mainframes. timekeepers. Unlike other low-voltage clocks, the DS1672 carries its own power-monitoring circuitry on board and a processor reset that protects timekeeping data. The DS1672 is also unique in providing the option to trickle charge trickle charge n. An electric charge supplied to a storage battery at a continuous low rate to keep it fully charged. the backup supply." The DS1672 monitors power supplies for out-of-tolerance voltages. When an under-supply condition occurs, the DS1672 write-protects timekeeping data registers, resets the processor, and switches to backup power An additional power source that can be used in the event of power failure. See UPS and backup.  A Half Minute of Backup This roomful of lead acid batteries stands ready to drain itself entirely in less than a minute. to prevent data corruption Data corruption refers to errors in computer data that occur during transmission or retrieval, introducing unintended changes to the original data. Computer storage and transmission systems use a number of measures to provide data integrity, the lack of errors. . On low-power mode the oscillator oscillator Mechanical or electronic device that produces a back-and-forth periodic motion. A pendulum is a simple mechanical oscillator that swings with a constant amplitude, requiring the addition of energy at each swing only to compensate for the energy lost because of air maintains timekeeping down to 1.3V, consuming less than 200 nanoamps of current. When power supplies return to normal levels, the DS1672 holds the processor in reset for 250 ms while operating conditions stabilize. The DS1672 is an ideal timekeeper for any electronic system, instrument or machine that operates in the 2.0V to 3.3V ranges and requires protection from power failure. Different versions are available for 2.0V, 3.0V, and 3.3V environments, with 8-pin DIP, SOIC (Small Outline IC) A small-dimension, plastic, rectangular, surface mount chip package that uses gull-wing pins extending outward. See gull-wing lead, SOJ and chip package. and micron-SOP package options. The DS1672 is sampling now. In quantities of 1,000, the price varies by packaging from $1.18 for DIP and SOIC to $1.35 for micron-SOP packages. Dallas Semiconductor manufactures specialty semiconductors focused in three areas: Communications, 1-Wire(R) and Network Computing, and Mixed Signal. The Company combines proprietary fab and circuit technologies to create innovative products that are sold to over 15,000 customers worldwide. Applications include broadband telecommunications, wireless handsets, cellular base stations, secure Internet communications, networking, servers, data storage and a wide variety of industrial equipment. |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion