Maxim > Design Support > Technical Documents > Tutorials > 1-Wire ® Devices > APP 1796

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Keywords: 1-wire, master, slave, ibutton, parasitic supply, package, sfn, flip chip, ucsp, identification,
control, temperature, time, nv sram, otp eprom, eeprom, secure eeprom, logging, evaluation kit, ev kit,
customization

TUTORIAL 1796

Overview of 1-Wire Technology and Its Use

By: Bernhard Linke, Principal Member Technical Staff
Jun 19, 2008

Abstract: This article provides a general overview of the 1-Wire® technology, its communication concept
and, as a benefit of the low pin count, unusual package options. The main section discusses 1-Wire
devices by their feature set and explains the typical applications. The article ends with practical
information on how to evaluate 1-Wire devices, explains device customization options, and references
resources that assist customers in integrating 1-Wire technology in their systems.

What Is 1-Wire Technology?

The basis of 1-Wire® technology is a serial protocol using a single data line plus ground reference for
communication. A 1-Wire master initiates and controls the communication with one or more 1-Wire
slave devices on the 1-Wire bus (Figure 1). Each 1-Wire slave device has a unique, unalterable,
factory-programmed, 64-bit ID (identification number), which serves as device address on the 1-Wire
bus. The 8-bit family code, a subset of the 64-bit ID, identifies the device type and functionality.
Typically, 1-Wire slave devices operate over the voltage range of 2.8V (min) to 5.25V (max). Most 1-
Wire devices have no pin for power supply; they take their energy from the 1-Wire bus (parasitic
supply).

Figure 1. The 1-Wire master/slave configuration uses a single data line plus ground reference.

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What Is Special About 1-Wire?
1-Wire is the only voltage-based digital system that works with two contacts, data and ground, for half-
duplex bidirectional communication. In contrast to other serial communication systems such as I²C or
SPI, 1-Wire devices are designed for use in a contact environment. Either disconnecting from the 1-Wire
bus or a loss of contact puts the 1-Wire slaves into a defined reset state. When the voltage returns, the
slaves wake up and signal their presence. With only one contact to protect, the built-in ESD protection of
1-Wire devices is extremely high. With two contacts, 1-Wire devices are the most economical way to
add electronic functionality to nonelectronic objects for identification, authentication, and delivery of
calibration data or manufacturing information.

How Are 1-Wire Devices Packaged?

1-Wire devices are offered in conventional transistor (TO-92) and IC packages (TSOC, SOIC, SOT23).
Designed for contact applications and easy attachment, the 2-contact SFN1 package accommodates
parasitically powered 1-Wire devices (Figure 2). The 16mm-diameter stainless steel iButton ®2 package
protects 1-Wire devices from harsh environments, making them suitable for indoor and out door use
(Figure 3). Many devices are also available in flip chip (Figure 4) and UCSP ™3 (Figure 5) versions.

Figure 2. The 6.0mm x 6.0mm x 0.9mm SFN package has large contact areas.

Figure 3. The 16mm-diameter iButton package protects the 1-Wire chip inside from harsh environments.

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Figure 4. The flip chip DS2502 package, 1.6mm x 0.91mm, has two rectangular contacts.

Figure 5. The UCSP package, 1.68mm x 1.68mm, for the DS2431 has spherical contacts located on a
grid with a 0.5mm pitch.

What Device Functions Are Available, and What Are the Typical
Applications?
At this time, there are approximately 40 1-Wire devices, including some close to the end of their lifetime.
The part numbers listed here only include devices scheduled for normal production for the foreseeable
future. Part numbers that begin with DS19 are always iButtons. The remaining part numbers in this
section, i.e., those that begin with DS24, DS25, and DS28 are available in conventional plastic packages.
If a product is also available as SFN or flip chip/UCSP, then this is mentioned in the Notes column. To
find up-to-date package information for any device, go to the Maxim website and enter the part number

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in the part number search field.

1-Wire devices can be grouped by their functions into several categories:

Identification only
Identification plus control
Identification plus temperature
Identification plus time
Identification plus NV SRAM
Identification plus (one time programmable) OTP EPROM
Identification plus EEPROM
Identification plus SHA-1 secure EEPROM
Identification plus logging

The combination of additional resources determines the typical application areas for a device. There are
numerous other applications that, for practical reasons, cannot be listed here.

Identification Only
Devices in this category are notable for their low cost. Accordingly, the level of protection that they can
provide is limited. If the DS2401 or DS2411 is used for the protection of intellectual property (IP), one
should consider a customized version of the device. See section Is There Any Device Customization?
for more details.

Part
Notes Typical Applications
Number

The DS2401 is also available as flip chip. Since the Printed circuit board
DS2401 does not need a VCC supply, this part is (PCB) identification
DS2401
also suitable for identification of printer cartridges and and authentication
medical consumables. Accessory/peripheral
identification
Protection of IP
DS2411 VCC power, 1.5V or higher Consumer
electronics

Printer cartridge
identification
DS1990A The DS1990R is guaranteed to generate a presence
DS1990R pulse on contact to reader. Access control
Asset management

Identification plus Control

The applications for these parts are similar to the devices above. The PIOs, however, add control or
feedback capability to the system.

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 Part
Notes Typical Applications
Number
Identification of printer
cartridges and medical
consumables
DS2413 Two 28V PIOs Rack card control
Accessory/peripheral
identification and control

Four 5V ADC inputs, which can also function as Consumer electronics

DS2450
digital PIO. This device can be VCC powered.

Identification plus Temperature

In large electronic equipment (racks) the proper cooling/air flow is critical for reliable operation. The
DS28EA00 solves this problem in a unique way through its chain function, 4 which allows detecting the
physical sequence of the device on the 1-Wire bus. When wired for sequence detection, one of the two
PIOs is available for control functions.

Part
Notes Typical Applications
Number

If not wired for sequence detection, two PIOs are Rack card
DS28EA00 monitoring
available for control functions.

Temperature data
This stand-alone device measures temperature on collection on
DS1920
command, e.g., when a reader touches it. contact

Identification plus Time

These devices measure time by counting seconds using a 32-bit binary counter.5 Knowing the 0-time
reference point (i.e., January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 hours UTC), one can identify any second within 136
years. Counting seconds is particularly convenient to measure time intervals.

Part Typical
Notes
Number Applications

The DS2417 is also available as flip chip. Periodic timer

DS2417
interrupt, requires 6pF 32KHz crystal.
Consumer
This stand-alone iButton includes battery and crystal. This electronics
DS1904L device is also suited for guardtour, and time and attendance
applications.

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Identification plus NV SRAM
Of the devices in this category, the DS1963S is quite unique. Besides its memory, it includes a SHA-1
engine, eight 64-bit secrets, sixteen 32-bit write cycle counters, and one 32-bit pseudo-random number
generator. Although the 4Kb memory can be read and written without restrictions, changing the data in
pages 8 to 15 or in any one of the secrets causes the associated write cycle counter to increment. By
design, the DS1963S can function as a secure token for electronic cash applications, and as a SHA-1
coprocessor6 for use with SHA-1 secure EEPROMs. The security is achieved by embedding a SHA-1
MAC (message authentication code) in a data page. When used for PCB authentication or protection of
IP, the DS1963S functions as a coprocessor to aid the host in validating SHA-1 secure EEPROMs or
data with an embedded MAC read from simple memory devices (e.g., NV SRAM, EPROM, EEPROM).

Part Typical
Notes
Number Applications
PCB
authentication
4Kb memory, SHA-1 engine with 8 secrets, 16 write cycle Protection of
DS1963S IP
counters, pseudo-random number generator
Electronic
cash

PCB
identification
and
authentication
DS1992L 1Kb memory Access
control
Asset
management

4Kb memory. Due to its lower cost (compared to the Protection of

DS1993L DS1995/DS1996), this device is also suited for printed circuit IP
board identification and authentication. Access
control
DS1995L 16Kb memory
Asset
management
DS1996L 64Kb memory

Identification plus OTP EPROM

All devices in this category use 12V EPROM technology. Since the packages do not have openings, the
bits are OTP; once changed from 1 to 0, they cannot be reversed. To mark an entire 32-byte page as
invalid and to point to an alternate location for valid data, these devices have redirection bytes, one for
each page. This unique feature allows changing data while maintaining the change history. Individual
memory pages can be irreversibly write-protected. Write protection makes OPT EPROMs prime
candidates for applications that need a small amount of data that rarely changes, such as network
addresses7 and printed circuit board identification.8

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 Part
Notes Typical Applications
Number

1Kb memory. The DS2502 is also available in flip Identification and usage
DS2502
chip and SFN versions. monitoring of printer
cartridges and medical
consumables
Identification and
authentication of rack
DS2505 16Kb memory cards and printed circuit
boards
Accessory/peripheral
identification

DS2502- 1Kb memory, preprogrammed with a MAC-48/EUI-

Network address
E48 48 Ethernet address
PCB identification and
DS2502- 1Kb memory, preprogrammed with an IEEE® EUI- authentication
E64 64 node address

1Kb memory. Due to its lower cost (compared to PCB identification and
DS1982 the DS1985), the DS1982 is also suited for printer authentication
cartridge identification and usage monitoring.
Asset management
DS1985 16Kb memory

Identification plus EEPROM

Compared to the OTP EPROMs above, devices in this category do not need 12V for writing. Data can
be changed (rewritten), provided that the memory area or page is not write-protected. Most of these
devices have an EPROM emulation mode, which allows changing bits only from 1 to 0, as with
EPROMs. Due to its high capacity and security, the DS1977 is used in the gaming industry.

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 Part
Notes Typical Applications
Number

1Kb memory, EPROM emulation, page write Identification and usage

DS2431 protection. The DS2431 is also available in monitoring of printer
UCSP and SFN versions. cartridges and medical
consumables
Identification and
authentication of rack cards
and PCBs
20Kb memory, EPROM emulation, block Accessory/peripheral
DS28EC20 identification
(four pages) write protection
Protection of IP and
authentication
Consumer electronics

Identification and usage

monitoring of printer
cartridges and medical
consumables
4Kb memory. The DS2433 is also available Identification and
DS2433
in flip chip and SFN versions. authentication of rack cards
and PCBs
Accessory/peripheral
identification

4Kb memory, two 5V PIOs, 7 1-Wire Rack Card identification

DS28E04 address inputs, EPROM emulation, page and authentication
write-protection

DS1971 256b memory Access control

1Kb memory, EPROM emulation, page write Access control

DS1972
protection
Asset management
DS1973 4Kb memory

Asset management
DS1977 32KB memory, password protection Gaming

Identification plus SHA-1 Secure EEPROM

Writing to the devices in this secure category requires knowledge of the device's secret and the ability to
compute a SHA-1 MAC. Except for the secret, memory data is readable without restrictions. All three
devices support challenge and response authentication, EPROM emulation for one memory page, and
write protection of the secret and memory pages. The challenge and response authentication provides a
very high level of security to prevent cloned components from being accepted in a system.9 Designed for
a contact environment, the DS1961S also supports a refresh function that allows the rewriting of existing

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data without providing a SHA-1 MAC. See section Is There Any Device Customization? for
preprogramming service.

Part
Notes Typical Applications
Number

1Kb memory, one 64-bit secret, 3-byte Identification and usage

DS2432 challenge. The DS2432 is also available in monitoring of printer cartridges
a flip chip version. and medical consumables.

Identification and usage

monitoring of printer cartridges
and medical consumables
Identification and authentication
of rack cards and PCBs
1Kb memory, one 64-bit secret, 5-byte
DS28E01 Accessory/peripheral
challenge
identification
Protection of IP and
authentication
Consumer electronics

PCB identification and

authentication
1Kb memory, one 64-bit secret, 3-byte Protection of IP and
DS1961S
challenge, refresh function authentication
Electronic cash

Identification plus Logging

These devices are self-contained data loggers for temperature data. The DS1923 can also record
humidity. The principal differences among the devices are the size of the data memory and the level of
data protection (password). Devices for different temperature ranges are available to meet the
requirements of the various applications. 10

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 Part
Notes Typical Applications
Number

2KB temperature logger, -40°C to

DS1921G
+85°C

2KB temperature logger, high

DS1921H
resolution, +15°C to +46°C
Temperature monitoring for
2KB temperature logger, high environmental science
DS1921Z
resolution, -5°C to +26°C Temperature monitoring for food
safety
8KB temperature logger, -40°C to Quality assurance for shipments of
DS1922L
+85°C, password protection food, produce, and pharmaceutical
8KB temperature logger, 0°C to products
DS1922T
+125°C, password protection

8KB temperature and humidity

DS1923 logger, -20°C to +85°C, password
protection

How Does One Get Hands-On Experience with 1-Wire Products?

If an IBM ® -compatible PC with USB or RS-232 serial port and Internet access is available, the only
missing pieces are: a 1-Wire adapter, evaluation (EV) software, some simple cabling, and the 1-Wire
devices to evaluate. The current product prices and availability can be found on the Maxim website. The
OneWireViewer software 11 and related drivers can be downloaded for free.

A more economical approach is to buy one of the EV kits. Each kit includes a 1-Wire adapter, a
selection of 1-Wire devices or iButtons, and the necessary cabling and accessories. Table 1 describes
the EV kits at the time of this publication. The contents of EV kits can change as new parts become
available. Devices not included in a kit need to be purchased separately. Since the EV kit's software is
the same (except for the DSECASH kit), the package type (plastic package or iButton) determines which
kit best fits an application.

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 Table 1. EV Kit Overview
1-Wire
Kit Part Number Evaluates Adapter Notes
Type

Includes: EV board with sockets for TO-

1-Wire
92, TSOC, RJ-11 cable; jumpers; DS2401,
chips USB,
DS9090K# DS2413, DS2431, DS2432, DS2433,
(plastic DS9490R
DS28E04, and DS28EC20; other 1-Wire
packages)
parts not mentioned in this document

Includes: cable with iButton probe;

USB, DS1990A, DS1971, DS1904L, and
DS9092K# iButtons
DS9490R DS1996; mechanical iButton mounting
accessories

iButton Includes: cable with iButton probe;

USB,
DS1921K# Data DS1921G; mechanical mounting
DS9490R
Loggers accessories

USB, Includes: three EV boards with DS28EA00

DS28EA00EVKIT# DS28EA00
DS9490R installed and RJ-11 cables

DS1963S, Includes: EV board; cable with iButton

RS-232,
DS1961S probe; RJ-11 cable; several DS1963S and
DSECASH DS9097U-
iButtons DS1961S iButtons; mechanical iButton
S09
for eCash mounting accessories

What Are the Next Steps to a 1-Wire Application?

Once the 1-Wire products are selected, one needs to choose a type of master circuit (i.e., the equivalent
of the 1-Wire adapter in the kits). For embedded applications, there is a multitude of choices, based on
the available system resources.12 Applications that require significant cabling between the 1-Wire
devices benefit from a specialized master circuit. 13

Besides hardware, firmware is needed to communicate with the 1-Wire devices, to write or read data,
and to exercise control functions. A selection of software drivers 14 for various platforms is available for
free download from the Maxim website. For device-specific drivers, application program interfaces (APIs),
and software examples, refer to the 1-Wire Software Resource Guide.15 This guide also includes API
functions based on the 1-Wire File system,16 which are particularly useful when working with more than
a few hundred bytes of data.

Is There Any Device Customization?

Maxim offers two types of device customization. Custom ROM is quite popular with identification-only
devices, but is applicable to all devices with a 64-bit ID number. With custom ROM, a pool of 68.7 × 10 9
numbers (equivalent to 36 bits) is committed to the sole use of a single customer. Examples of Custom
ROM are found in application note 178. 8 This type of customization occurs before packaging, which

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leads to a fairly long lead-time. For SHA-1 secure EEPROM devices, Maxim provides a secure
preprogramming service to install data and secret. For details, submit a tech support request to the
factory.

Summary
1-Wire technology is based on a serial communication protocol that uses a single data line plus ground
reference between master and slave. The 1-Wire slaves are available in plastic packages, as flip chip or
UCSP, or in the form of stainless-steel iButtons. The minimum function of 1-Wire slaves is a 64-bit ID
number. Additional functions are PIO, temperature sensor, time counter, NV SRAM, OTP EPROM,
EEPROM, SHA-1 engine, SHA-1 secure EEPROM, temperature logging and humidity logging. Typical
applications for 1-Wire devices include identification and authentication of consumables, rack cards,
PCBs, computer accessories, and the protection of IP (e.g., cloning prevention). Special uses of iButtons
are access control, asset management, guardtour systems, time and attendance, electronic cash
(eCash), and temperature monitoring for food and pharmaceutical safety. Starter EV kits and software
drivers are available to assist customers integrating 1-Wire technology in their systems.

References
1. Application note 4132, "Attachment Methods for the Electro-Mechanical SFN Package"
2. Application note 3808, "What Is an iButton?"
3. Application note 4002, "Understanding Flip-Chip and Chip-Scale Package Technologies and Their
Applications"
4. Application note 4037, "Regain Location Information by Leveraging the 1-Wire Chain Function—A
Simple Signaling and Protocol Method Determines Device Physical Location"
5. Application note 517, "DS1371/DS1372/DS1374 32-Bit Binary Counter Time Conversion"
6. Application note 1820, "White Paper 1: SHA Devices Used in Small Cash Systems"
7. Application note 186, "Creating Global Identifiers Using 1-Wire Devices"
8. Application note 178, "Printed Circuit Board Identification Using 1-Wire Products"
9. Application note 3675, "Protecting the R&D Investment—Two-Way Authentication and Secure Soft-
Feature Settings"
10. Application note 3892, "Overview of iButton Sensors and Temperature/Humidity Dataloggers"
11. Application note 3358, "OneWireViewer User's Guide"
12. Application note 4206, "Choosing the Right 1-Wire® Master for Embedded Applications"
13. Application note 244, "Advanced 1-Wire Network Driver"
14. Start page, Software Development Kits
15. Application note 155, "1-Wire Software Resource Guide Device Description"
16. Application note 114, "1-Wire File Structure"

1-Wire is a registered trademark of Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

IBM is a registered trademark and registered service mark of International Business Machines
Corporation.
iButton is a registered trademark of Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
IEEE is a registered service mark of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.

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UCSP is a trademark of Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

Related Parts

DS1921K Thermochron iButton Starter Kit  

DS28EA00EVKIT Evaluation Kit for the DS28EA00  

DS9090K 1-Wire Device Evaluation Kit Rev B4  

DS9092K iButton Starter Kit  

More Information
For Technical Support: http://www.maximintegrated.com/support
For Samples: http://www.maximintegrated.com/samples
Other Questions and Comments: http://www.maximintegrated.com/contact

Application Note 1796: http://www.maximintegrated.com/an1796

TUTORIAL 1796, AN1796, AN 1796, APP1796, Appnote1796, Appnote 1796
© 2013 Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
Additional Legal Notices: http://www.maximintegrated.com/legal

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