The iButton temperature loggers are a popular product line developed by Maxim Integrated, which was later acquired by Analog Devices (ADI) in 2021. As a result, you can now find these products under the Analog Devices brand.
iButton sensors are characterized by their compact, durable design and ability to operate independently. They are often referred to as Thermochron® data loggers. Analog Devices
Below are some popular Analog Devices iButton temperature recording product lines:
DS1920: A basic digital thermometer, measuring ambient temperature with a range of -55°C to +100°C.
DS1921G (Thermochron): A temperature logger can store up to 2048 temperature samples in the range of -40°C to 85°C.
DS1922L/T/E: These are more powerful data loggers, capable of storing up to 8192 temperature readings (8-bit) or 4096 readings (16-bit).
DS1922L: For standard temperature range (-40°C to +85°C).
DS1922T: For higher temperature applications (0°C to +125°C).
DS1922E: For extended temperature range (15°C to 140°C), suitable for sterilization processes.
DS1923 (Hygrochron): This device not only measures temperature but also records humidity, suitable for cold chain monitoring.
Most popular applications of iButton:
1. Temperature and environmental monitoring (Thermochron/Hygrochron)
This is the main and most popular application of the iButton data logger line:
Cold Chain Monitoring: iButtons are placed in refrigerated containers to record temperatures during the transportation of vaccines, frozen foods, blood, or temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals. This data helps verify that the goods are not damaged due to temperature exceeding the allowable threshold.
Warehouses and storage: Monitor temperature and humidity in warehouses to ensure optimal storage conditions for goods.
Server room/Data center: Monitor the temperature at hot spots in the rack to prevent equipment overheating.
Sterilization process (Autoclave): High temperature resistant iButton models (such as the DS1922T/E) are used to confirm that the sterilization process has reached the required temperature and time.
Environmental monitoring: Record temperature variations in scientific research, agriculture or in laboratories.
2. Access control and time attendance
Memory-only iButtons act as an electronic key or identification card:
Electronic lock: Used to open doors, start machines, or open safes. The user touches the iButton to the reader to authenticate their identity.
Timekeeping system: Employees use iButtons to “touch in/out” terminals to record work hours.
Media access control: Use the iButton as a “key” to start your truck or heavy equipment, ensuring only authorized personnel can operate it.
3. Identification & Traceability
Each iButton has a unique 64-bit laser-engraved identifier, making them great identification tools:
Asset Management: Attach iButtons to devices, tools, or fixed assets for easy inventory and tracking of location or maintenance history.
Security tour control: Security guards use handheld devices to tap iButtons at checkpoints on their patrol route, verifying that they have passed through all locations at the correct time.
Patient identification: In some healthcare systems, iButtons are used on patient wristbands to quickly and accurately access electronic medical records.
4. Other industrial applications
Maintenance tracking: Stores a specific device's maintenance history right on the attached iButton, allowing technicians to view the most recent repair information simply by touching the reader to it.
Fuel and oil measurement: Record fuel levels or oil information in transport vehicles.
iButton devices communicate using the 1-Wire® protocol, requiring only one signal wire and one ground wire to connect to a computer or controller for programming and downloading data. Each device has a unique 64-bit laser-engraved serial number, ensuring absolute traceability.
To use the Analog Devices (formerly Maxim Integrated) iButton temperature logger, you need dedicated hardware and software components to communicate with the device via the 1-Wire protocol. The usage process consists of the following main steps:
1. Necessary ingredients
You cannot connect iButton directly to a regular USB or serial port. You need adapters and software:
iButton Device: For example: DS1921G, DS1922L.
Adapter: Used to connect iButton to computer. Most common are:
USB Adapter: Like the DS9490R. This is the most modern and easy to use.
Serial or Parallel Port Adapter: Older, less used now.
Probes (Contact Base/Reader): A holder or probe to hold the iButton in place while programming or downloading data. Example: DS1402-BP.
Software: Software is required to configure, start recording, and read data from the iButton.
2. Basic usage process
The process of using iButton includes 4 main steps:
Step 1: Install the software
You need to install the driver for the USB adapter (if using a USB adapter) and the application software to interact with the iButton. The most popular software for this is OneWireViewer Provided by Analog Devices, running on Java platform.
Step 2: Programming and starting data recording (Missioning)
Before deploying iButton into the environment where temperature monitoring is required, you need to configure it:
Connect iButton connects to the computer via a contact base and adapter.
Open the software (e.g. OneWireViewer). The software will automatically detect the iButton.
Configure the parameters:
Start time: Start recording immediately or at a specific date/time.
Sample Rate: Data logging frequency (e.g. every minute, every hour).
Temperature threshold: Set an alert if the temperature exceeds the upper or lower limit.
Recording mode: Write in a loop (overwrite old data when memory is full) or stop when memory is full.
Start Mission: Once configured, the software will send a command to start recording.
Step 3: Deploy and record data
Disconnect iButton from the computer.
Set iButton in locations where temperature needs to be measured (e.g. in cold storage, server rooms, vaccine warehouses).
The device will automatically record the temperature according to the set parameters until the memory is full, the battery is empty, or the task is finished.
Step 4: Download and analyze data (Mission Completion)
Once the monitoring task is complete, you need to extract the data:
Reconnect iButton to computer via adapter.
Open the software and select iButton.
Download recorded data. Data is often exported as a graph or CSV (Excel) file for detailed analysis.[2]
After loading the data, you can clear the memory and program for the next task.
You can contact Semiki company for advice and purchase of Analog Devices iButton products. Semiki is one of the official and reputable distributors of Analog Devices (ADI) products, including the iButton line (formerly Maxim Integrated) in the Vietnamese market.
Website: You can find out more details and send a consultation request via Semiki.com.
When contacting Semiki, you should clearly provide your needs (e.g. what type of iButton is needed, how many, what is the specific application) so that Semiki can advise exactly the right set of equipment, including necessary accessories such as adapters and software.
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