DALLAS SEMICONDUCTOR'S NEW TIMEKEEPER IS FIRST TO COMBINE PROCESSOR RESET AND BACKUP SWITCHING AT ULTRA-LOW VOLTAGES
DALLAS, TX-August 15, 2000-Dallas Semiconductor's 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.
 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 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 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 to prevent data corruption. On low-power mode the oscillator 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 and µSOP 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 µSOP packages.
Dallas Semiconductor manufactures specialty semiconductors focused in three areas: Communications, 1-Wire® 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.
|
