FIRST DUAL POTENTIOMETER OPTIMIZED FOR GIGABIT TRANSCEIVER MODULES
DALLAS, TEXAS-June 13, 2000-Dallas Semiconductor today announced the DS1845 Dual Potentiometer with Nonvolatile Memory, the first potentiometer with integrated memory specifically designed to enhance performance in gigabit transceiver modules. The device combines two linear-taper potentiometers with 256 bytes EEPROM, which provides nonvolatile storage for potentiometer output and configuration settings, and in-circuit programmability via a 2-wire interface. In reduced-size packaging, the DS1845 optimizes calibration while replacing multiple components at lower cost in space-constrained transceiver modules.
 Potentiometers are used in transceiver modules to control current through each of two diodes in an optical transceiver, which converts electrical signals to optical.
Patrick Fedele, product manager, said, "What was once done manually by a technician with mechanical pots can now be done automatically, saving in manufacturing costs. Even designs already using digital potentiometers can benefit by parts and cost reduction, as the DS1845 also integrates 256 bytes of industry-standard EEPROM utilized by gigabit transceivers. The reduction in parts count and part size benefits the manufacturing process and eases the logistics of procurement and parts inventory."
The user configures the DS1845's dual 100-position and 256-position outputs with application-specific settings, which are maintained in nonvolatile memory and used in operation. By integrating memory with two differently configured potentiometers, a single DS1845 replaces multiple parts and makes programming and storing the settings easier. The DS1845's interface allows drop-in compatibility with existing software written for standard 2-wire EEPROM, as well as in-circuit updates.
The optical transceiver module can be plugged externally into an electrical backplane in routers and networking hubs or soldered to a motherboard in a server. Typical applications for the DS1845 are in gigabit Ethernet, fiber channel and SONET applications. The DS1845's dual functionality and programmability can also benefit any system requiring a potentiometer.
"Several Dallas Semiconductor technologies combined to make the DS1845," said Fedele. "This product derives not just from our experience with digital potentiometers, but also with low-power operation, nonvolatile memory, and space-saving package technologies: TSSOP, flip-chip, and BGA (Ball Grid Array). Since these potentiometers are going into matchbox-sized modules, saving space is a major benefit."
The DS1845 Dual Potentiometer with EEPROM is available now from stock in a TSSOP package at a cost of $1.73 in quantities of 1,000.
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.
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