New timekeepers from Dallas Semiconductor upgrade PCs to plug-and-play.DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 27, 1995--Dallas Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :DS) Tuesday announced a new family of timekeepers that provides a quick, simple and cost-effective way for manufacturers of PC-class computers to upgrade their systems to plug-and-play. The Plug-and-Play Real Time Clocks contain nonvolatile RAM (from 128 bytes to 8K bytes) that allows the computer to store the information it needs to configure itself. This software-only solution accesses the timekeepers' extra RAM via software instead of hardware for full plug-and-play capability. All timekeepers operate at either 5 volts for use in conventional desktop computers or 3 volts for use in portable systems. The new devices enable manufacturers of most PC-class computers to upgrade their systems to plug-and-play simply by changing the BIOS and adding the timekeeper. Storing the BIOS in One-Time Programmable (OTP (1) (One Time Programmable) Refers to programming content or logic into chips such as EPROMs and EEPROMs, which cannot be reversed. See antifuse. (2) (One Time P ) Read-Only Memory See ROM. (storage) Read-Only Memory - (ROM) A type of data storage device which is manufactured with fixed contents. In its most general sense, the term might be used for any storage system whose contents cannot be altered, such as a gramophone record or a printed book; (ROM) and using a Dallas Semiconductor Dallas Semiconductor, now a subsidiary of Maxim Integrated Products, designs and manufactures analog, digital, and mixed-signal semiconductors (integrated circuits, or ICs). real-time clock A real-time clock (RTC) is a computer clock (most often in the form of an integrated circuit) that keeps track of the current time. Although the term often refers to the devices in personal computers, servers and embedded systems, RTCs are present in almost any electronic provides the lowest cost plug-and-play timekeeping solution. Unlike flash-based and super I/O "Super I/O" is the name given to a class of I/O controller integrated circuits that began to be used on personal computer motherboards in the late 1980s. A super I/O chip combines interfaces for a variety of low-bandwidth devices. chip solutions, manufacturers needn't incur the time and expense of designing a new board. ``The new real-time clocks offer computer manufacturers a very fast time-to-market for plug-and-play support within their existing product lines,'' said Jim Lott, Timekeeping product manager. ``This family meets the quality and performance standards that have made Dallas Semiconductor the world's leader in Timekeeping devices,'' he said. Plug-and-Play Real-Time Clocks also offer advanced power management features. For example, a kickstart input powers on the system with a single keystroke key·stroke n. A stroke of a key, as on a word processor. key  stroke or via a modem ring detect signal. Alternately, a wake-up alarm can wake up the system at a pre-set time; the system then performs its tasks and shuts itself down. In addition, plug-and-play clocks give systems the ability to perform ``soft power on,'' complying with the Microsoft PC '95 Hardware Design Guide recommendation. Dallas timekeepers offer the option of storing the BIOS in flash memory or in ROM. A System Management Interrupt See SMI. (SMI (1) (Storage Management Initiative) The initiative developed by the SNIA in 2003 to create a single standard interface for storage management technologies used by multiple vendors and networking communities. ) recovery stack on-chip guarantees the integrity of BIOS execution. Each chip is laser-programmed with a unique 64-bit serial number to assist manufacturers in tracking systems. Because all Plug-and-Play Real-Time Clocks have the same pin configuration, these devices offer an upgrade path; extended RAM is available in densities ranging from 128 bytes to 8K bytes. The devices are also backwards-compatible with the popular Dallas Semiconductor DS1285/DS1287 and DS12885/DS12887 real-time clocks. The DS17487 3V/5V Real-Time Clock consists of a chip with a 32.768 kHz quartz crystal and battery encapsulated in the same module. It has 114 bytes of user nonvolatile RAM and an additional 4K bytes of nonvolatile RAM. Available now, the DS17487 is priced at $8.40 each in quantities of 1,000. Dallas Semiconductor designs, manufactures and markets 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. chips and chip-based subsystems. In its 11-year history, the company has sold its products to more than 8,000 customers worldwide. These include Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in instrumentation, factory automation, personal computers, office equipment, telecommunications, medical equipment and mainframe computers. Chips and subsystems are sold through a direct sales force distributors and manufacturers' representatives worldwide. CONTACT: Dallas Semiconductor, Dallas Doug Cole, 214/450-0448 (reader contact) 214/450-0470 (fax) Syd Coppersmith, 214/450-5349 (media contact) |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion