iButton® devices provide a unique solution for applications where information needs to travel with a person or an object, even in harsh environments. The silicon chip within the iButton device is laser-etched with a unique and unalterable address and is protected by a highly durable stainless steel ‘can’. You can drop it, step on it, or scratch it. The lid and base of the can act as the contacts for the silicon chip. iButton devices are wear-tested for 10-year durability. Many iButton devices make use of the 1-Wire serial protocol.

The 1-Wire® bus is a simple signaling scheme that performs half-duplex bidirectional communications between a host/master controller and one or more slaves sharing a common data line. Both power and data communication are transmitted over this single 1-Wire line. For power delivery, slaves capture charge on an internal capacitor when the line is in a high state and then use this charge for device operation when the line is low during data transmission. This unique communication scheme allows you to add memory, authentication, and mixed-signal functions at any time, easily and efficiently.

iButton - iButton Devices - One Wire

iButton® devices are small, durably packaged modules with globally unique digital addresses. An iButton device uses a stainless steel 'can' as an electronic communications interface. The iButton can has a data contact, called the 'lid', and a ground contact, called the 'base'. Each of the iButton contacts is connected to the silicon chip inside. The iButton base includes a flange to simplify attaching the iButton device to just about anything.  

Enhanced by our 1-Wire communications protocol, iButtons provide the ability to deliver or record data where other products cannot, such as in very harsh environments. An iButton device is ideal for any application where information needs to follow a person or object, such as temperature and humidity data logging, access control, asset tracking, and electronic cash (eCash) transactions.

1-Wire Devices & Products

1-Wire® products provide combinations of memory, mixed signal, and secure authentication functions with complete operation from a single contact serial interface. With both power and communication delivered over the serial protocol, 1-Wire devices are unmatched in their ability to provide key functions to applications where microcontroller I/O resources are constrained, or system interconnect must be minimized.

Common product features include:

Single Contact for Operation and Power Delivery

Unique & Unalterable 64bit Serial Number in Each Device

Multidrop Capable: Supports Multiple Devices on Single Line

Exceptional ESD Performance

Do you know more about Maxim's product uses, technical documents, and solutions related to iButton and 1-Wire? Then quickly get in touch with Maxim Integrated Distributor - NHE!