
DS1963L
2 of 24
iButton DESCRIPTION
The DS1963L Monetary iButton is a rugged read/write data carrier that acts as a localized database that
can be easily accessed with minimal hardware. The nonvolatile memory offers a simple solution to
storing and retrieving information pertaining to the object to which the iButton is associated. Data is
transferred serially via the 1-Wire protocol which requires only a single data lead and a ground return.
The scratchpad is an additional page that acts as a buffer when writing to memory. Data is first written
to the scratchpad where it can be read back. After the data has been verified, a copy scratchpad
command will transfer the data to memory. This process ensures data integrity when modifying the
memory. A 48-bit serial number is factory lasered into each DS1963L to provide a guaranteed unique
identity which allows for absolute traceability. The durable MicroCan package is highly resistant to
environmental hazards such as dirt, moisture, and shock. Its compact coin-shaped profile is self-aligning
with mating receptacles, allowing the DS1963L to be easily used by human operators. Accessories
permit the DS1963L to be mounted on almost any surface including plastic key fobs, photo-ID badges
and printed circuit boards.
APPLICATION
The DS1963L Monetary iButton can store encrypted data which represents money. The unique
registration number, the page write cycle counters, CRC generator and tamper-detect bits prevent
unauthorized refilling of the purses. Four independent change purses can be randomly accessed from
the on-chip directory. Tamper-detect bits report if the purses have experienced physical tampering. Each
write cycle (“Monetary Transaction”) generates a unique number to audit the dispensing and refilling of
the purses. A change purse can be decremented with less than 100 ms touch dwell time for rapid
processing in crowded public facilities.
OVERVIEW
The block diagram in Figure 1 shows the relationships between the major control and memory sections of
the DS1963L. The DS1963L has four main data components: 1) 64-bit lasered ROM, 2) 256-bit
scratchpad, 3) 4096-bit SRAM, and 4) four 32-bit read-only page write cycle counters. The hierarchical
structure of the 1-Wire protocol is shown in Figure 2. Each of these counters is associated with one of the
256-bit memory pages. The four counters of the DS1963L are associated with pages 12 to 15. The
contents of the counter are read together with the memory data using a special command. The bus master
must first provide one of the six ROM Function Commands, 1) Read ROM, 2) Match ROM, 3) Search
ROM, 4) Skip ROM, 5) Overdrive-Skip ROM or 6) Overdrive-Match ROM. Upon completion of an
Overdrive ROM command byte executed at standard speed, the device will enter Overdrive mode where
all subsequent communication occurs at a higher speed. The protocol required for these ROM function
commands is described in Figure 9. After a ROM function command is successfully executed, the
memory functions become accessible and the master may provide any one of the five memory function
commands. The protocol for these memory function commands is described in Figure 7. All data is read
and written least significant bit first.