Maxim Integrated Leverages 1-Wire Protocol to Reduce Complexity and Provide Industry's Lowest Cost Solution for Building Networks of Remotely Connected I²C and SPI Sensors

DS28E18 extends links up to 100 meters and minimizes wiring to connect peripheral devices to a host microcontroller

Designers expanding connections to remote sensor networks can now reduce complexity and cost to the industry’s lowest levels with the DS28E18 1-Wire®-to-I²C/SPI Bridge from Maxim Integrated Products. By leveraging Maxim Integrated’s 1-Wire protocol to interface with I²C and SPI-compatible sensors, the DS28E18 reduces complexity by connecting devices using only two wires compared to competitive solutions that require four wires for I²C or six for SPI.

Nowadays, most designers use serial interfaces to connect remote sensors in industrial and remote monitoring applications. However, the most popular protocols are costly and complex because they require up to five external switch extenders to reach devices at distances as long as 100 meters. In addition, some of the interfaces widely deployed today require six cables for connecting multiple extended sensors to a host microcontroller.

Simplified Application Block Diagram.

The DS28E18 enables both power and communications on a single wire, using Maxim Integrated’s 1-Wire protocol to link with I²C or SPI peripheral devices over 100 meters with only two wires. The solution eliminates up to five extender and switch ICs, significantly reducing connection costs and software complexity. In addition, only one programmable I/O port from the host microcontroller is necessary to operate a network with 10 to 20 nodes.

Key Advantages

• High Integration:
  Extends connections up to 100 meters and eliminates up to five extender and switch ICs; eliminates external power supply requirement
   
• Lower Cost:
  Enables autonomous operation with just two connecting wires, eliminating up to four wires for autonomous operation
   
• Reduced Complexity:
  Converts 1-Wire protocol to I²C and SPI master interfaces to reduce both physical design and software complexity of the host microcontroller versus comparable configurations

Availability and Pricing

• The DS28E18 is available at Maxim Integrated’s website for $0.64 (1000-up, FOB USA); also available from authorized distributors
• The DS28E18EVKIT# evaluation kit is available for $89.25

The DS28E18 Evaluation System.