Features:

• 1-Wire(tm) Bus interface certified by Dallas Semiconductor
• Operation to beyond 300 Meters (Cat-5 cable)
• Intelligent bus interface algorithm
• Emulates a Dallas DS9097U interface (See text below)
• Works with Dallas TMEX and iButton Viewer software
• Operates on power robbed from serial port control lines
• Network debugging and sniffer features included

The LINK is a microcontroller-based replacement for the Dallas DS9097U-09 for large or complicated 1-Wire networks. It uses an advanced bus interface and intelligent algorithms to make 1-Wire communications more reliable at short and long distances. (The algorithms and interface for this device were originally developed at Dallas Semiconductor.) The LINK works with Dallas TMEX(tm) and iButton Viewer software.

The LINK has an advanced 1-Wire front-end that presents controlled impedance to the bus, performs intelligent bus pre-charge, and has improved waveform timing based on extensive research with a variety of iButton and 1-Wire chip devices and network topologies. Slew controlled drivers reduce EMI and ringing, and analog and digital filtering reduce noise sensitivity. A crystal controlled time base eliminates the need for periodic recalibration steps in the driving software and assures consistent 1-Wire waveform timing.

The LINK also has features not found in a Dallas DS9097U. Used with any terminal program, the LINK can serve as a network sniffer and diagnostic tool.

Note: The LINK is precisely tuned for optimum standard-speed operation and cannot be used at Overdrive(tm) bus speed. (This is not a problem for most users as networks larger than a tabletop cannot use the higher bus speed anyway.) The serial port baud rate defaults to 9600 but can be adjusted to 57,600 baud.