Physical layer architecture for 1-wire sensor communication bus: Binary channel Code Division Multiple Access

Researchers at The University of Iowa have encountered the need for an efficient 1-wire communication protocol for use in embedded systems and distributed wired sensors. One possible solution for this problem is the use of a Wired Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). Although this approach has been investigated before, a key simplification can made with the use of a binary wired-OR channel. This paper develops the theory for such a protocol, including a mathematical formulation of the Bit Error Rate, and describes experiments that are being conducted to determine the validity of this approach, including a software simulation to calculate expected Bit Error Rate and prototype hardware to verify the practicality of this design.