To connect one 1-Wire master to several branches, route its 1-Wire I/O through either an eight-channel DS2482-800 bridge or a rail-to-rail, low-on-resistance analog multiplexer. Select one downstream branch at a time. This can make an unavoidable star easier to manage by shortening branch segments and reducing the devices on each active path; it does not remove the need to check signal timing, pull-up behavior, wiring capacitance, and device compatibility.
Why multiplex a 1-Wire network?
1-Wire wiring generally works best as a linear trunk with insignificant stubs. When the physical layout forces a star or several long branches, a multiplexer can divide it into channel segments: the master communicates with one selected branch rather than presenting every branch at once.
That arrangement can reduce the wiring burden on an active path and let the host address channel-specific needs. Analog Devices applications engineer Stewart Merkel describes faster access to individual nodes, improved network robustness, and separation of overdrive-only nodes from standard/overdrive nodes as advantages of using multiple channels in a 2019 design note.
A mux is not a substitute for validating the electrical design. The selected host and switch still need to meet the network’s timing, voltage, capacitance, and current requirements under the actual loading conditions.
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Choose an integrated bridge or an external analog mux
| Design choice | Channel count and host interface | Voltage and switching considerations | When it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| DS2482-800 | Eight independent 1-Wire I/O channels; I²C host interface supporting up to 100 kHz standard and 400 kHz fast operation, according to Analog Devices product documentation (2023). | Operating range 2.9 V to 5.5 V. Its channels are integrated into the bridge, rather than selected with an external mux. | Use when eight channels and an I²C-connected bridge suit the design. The datasheet revision 6 is dated 2023-11-07. |
| Single-channel 1-Wire host plus external analog mux | Channel count is set by the selected mux; host-interface details depend on the chosen 1-Wire device and mux-control method. | Choose a switch that passes the full 1-Wire signal range at the actual pull-up voltage and has very low RON. Selection can use GPIO or an I²C-controlled mux. | Use when you need a channel count or selection arrangement not served by the integrated eight-channel option, or want to pair a suitable single-channel host with a separate switch. |
The design note recommends the DS2485 for external-mux systems using 3.3 V and identifies the DS2484 as the next-best option for 5 V systems. Confirm the chosen device’s current datasheet limits and compatibility with the complete circuit before committing to a design.
Wire an external mux to the 1-Wire host
- Connect the common node: wire the host’s 1-Wire I/O to the analog mux common terminal.
- Connect branches separately: wire each downstream 1-Wire branch to a mux channel so the switch connects the host to one branch at a time.
- Provide channel control: drive the mux select inputs with GPIO, or use an I²C-controlled switch such as the MAX14661 if GPIO is scarce and an I²C bus is available.
- Check the signal path: verify that the mux supports rail-to-rail analog operation at the circuit’s actual pull-up voltage, and select the lowest practical RON. The switch must not distort the 1-Wire waveform or interfere with the host’s active pull-up behavior.
- Validate under load: test pull-up and strong-pull-up behavior with the real branch wiring and worst-case loading, then verify timing, voltage, capacitance, and current against the host and mux datasheets.
Do not assume that a switch described as an analog mux will pass the required signal unchanged. Its permissible signal range and on-resistance must work at the voltage and loading used by the 1-Wire network.
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Keep overdrive-only devices on their own channels
If some devices operate only in overdrive mode, place them on a separate mux channel from devices that support standard and overdrive operation. When the host changes from one selected channel to another, set its speed mode to match the devices on that channel. This avoids treating a mixed-speed collection of branches as though every node had the same operating requirements.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Keep branches short and verify the complete network
Multiplexing is most useful when it breaks an otherwise difficult topology into manageable channel segments. Keep each branch short and avoid unnecessary stubs. Test the selected branch with the actual cable lengths, device count, and loading: confirm that the host’s pull-up and any strong pull-up operate correctly, and that the mux’s resistance and signal range preserve the waveform.
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There is no published comparative field-test statistic or failure-rate figure in the cited material for integrated versus external mux implementations. The choice should therefore be based on the documented interface and electrical requirements of the parts, plus validation in the intended circuit—not an assumed reliability advantage.
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References
- Analog Devices DS2482-800 product documentation.
- Analog Devices DS2482-800 datasheet.
- Stewart Merkel, “How to Multiplex a 1-Wire Host into Numerous Channels” (published 2019-03-15).
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