What is an iButton?

The iButton® is a computer chips enclosed in a 16mm stainless steel can. Because of this unique and durable stainless steel can, up-to-date information can travel with a person or object anywhere they go. The steel button can be mounted virtually anywhere because it is rugged enough to withstand harsh environments, indoors or outdoors. It is durable enough to attach to a key fob, ring, watch, or other personal items and used daily for applications such as access control to buildings and computers.

iButton Components

The Can and Grommet

All iButtons use their stainless steel "Can" for their electronic communications interface. Each "Can" has a data contact which is called the "Lid" and a ground contact which is called the "Base". Each of these contacts is connected to the silicon chip inside. The "Lid" is the top of the "Can" and the "Base" forms the sides and the bottom of the "Can" and includes a flange for easily attaching the button to just about anything. The two contacts are separated by a polypropylene grommet.

The 1-Wire Interface

By simply touching each of the two contacts you can communicate to any of the iButtons by using our 1-Wire® protocol. The 1-Wire interface has two communication speeds. Standard mode at 16kbps and overdrive mode at 142kbps.

The Address

Each iButton has a unique and unalterable address that is laser etched onto its chip inside the can. The address can be used as a key or identifier for each iButton. 2700000095C33108.

From these basics we have expanded the iButton product line into over 20 different products by adding different functionality to the basic button. iButtons come in the following different varieties.

• Address Only
• Memory
• Real Time Clock
• Secure
• Temperature