The trench devices expand automotive-qualified product line.
( 01 Jul 2004 )
Bill Schweber
When you need to track small time increments, a microprocessor or microcontroller needs help. The DS1318 from Maxim's Dallas Semiconductor group gives you a 44-bit elapsed time counter with resolution of 244µs, using a 32-bit seconds counter supplemented by a 12 bit subsecond counter. With the addition of some software, you can use this as real-time clock. You can select the square-wave output of the IC to have a 32.768kHz, 8.192kHz, 4.096kHz, or 1Hz period, to match it with your application. The DS1318 also monitors your system power rail, and stores critical data in write-protected internal registers when main power fails; it also switches automatically to a backup-supply source. The 24-lead TSSOP device can operate down to 1.3V at 1µA, and is priced at $1.28 (1000 pieces).
