DS1217M

030598 2/8

READ MODE

The DS1217M executes a read cycle whenever WE

(write enable) is inactive (high) and CE (cartridge en-

able) is active (low). The unique address specified by

the address inputs (A0-A14) defines which byte of data

is to be accessed. Valid data will be available to the eight

dress input signal is stable, providing that CE (cartridge

enable) and OE (output enable) access times are also

satisfied. If OE and CE times are not satisfied, then data

access must be measured from the late occurring signal

hibited and all accesses are ignored.

WRITE MODE

The DS1217M is in the write mode whenever both the

WE and CE signals are in the active (low) state after ad-

dress inputs are stable. The last occurring falling edge

of either CE or WE will determine the start of the write

cycle. The write cycle is terminated by the first rising

edge of either CE or WE. All address inputs must be

kept valid throughout the write cycle. WE must return to

another cycle can be initiated.The OE control signal

should be kept inactive (high) during write cycles to

avoid bus contention. However, if the output bus has

been enabled (CE and OE active) then WE will disable

tected.

DATA RETENTION MODE

The Nonvolatile Cartridge provides full functional capa-

Should the supply voltage decay, the RAM is automati-

approximately 3.0 volts, the power switching circuit con-

nects a lithium energy source to RAM to retain data.

3.0 volts, the power switching circuit connects the exter-

exceeds 4.5 volts.

The DS1217M checks battery status to warn of potential

cartridge the battery voltage is checked with a precision

comparator. If the battery supply is less than 2.0 volts,

the second memory cycle is inhibited. Battery status

can, therefore, be determined by performing a read

cycle after power-up to any location in memory, record-

ing that memory location content. A subsequent write

cycle can then be executed to the same memory loca-

tion, altering data. If the next read cycle fails to verify the

written data, the contents of the memory are question-

able.

In many applications, data integrity is paramount. The

cartridge thus has redundant batteries and an internal

isolation switch which provides for the connection of two

batteries. During battery backup time, the battery with

the highest voltage is selected for use. If one battery

fails, the other will automatically take over. The switch

between batteries is transparent to the user. A battery

status warning will occur only if both batteries are less

than 2.0 volts.

BANK SWITCHING

Bank switching is accomplished via address lines A8,

A9, A10, and A11. Initially, on power-up all banks are de-

selected so that multiple cartridges can reside on a com-

mon bus. Bank switching requires that a predefined pat-

tern of 64 bits is matched by sequencing 4 address

inputs (A8 through A11) 16 times while ignoring all other

address inputs. Prior to entering the 64-bit pattern which

will set the band switch, a read cycle of 1111 (address

inputs A8 through A11) must be executed to guarantee

that pattern entry starts with the first set of 3 bits. Each

set of address inputs is entered into the DS1217M by

executing read cycles.The first eleven cycles must

match the exact bit pattern as shown in Table 2. The last

five cycles must match the exact bit pattern for address-

es A9, A10, and A11. However, address line 8 defines

which of the 16 banks is to be enabled, or all banks are

deselected, as per Table 3. Switching from one bank to

another occurs as the last of the 16 read cycles is com-

pleted. A single bank is selected at any one time. A se-

lected bank will remain active until a new bank is se-

lected, all banks are deselected, or until power is lost.

(See DS1222 BankSwitch Chip data sheet for more de-

tail.)