The DS1312 Nonvolatile Controller with Battery Monitor is a CMOS circuit which solves the application problem of converting CMOS RAM into nonvolatile memory. Incoming power is monitored for an out-of-tolerance condition. When such a condition is detected, chip enable is inhibited to accomplish write protection and the battery is switched on to supply the RAM with uninterrupted power. Special circuitry uses a low-leakage CMOS process which affords precise voltage detection at extremely low battery consumption.

In addition to battery-backup support, the DS1312 performs the important function of monitoring the remaining capacity of the lithium battery and providing a warning before the battery reaches end-of-life. Because the open-circuit voltage of a lithium backup battery remains relatively constant over the majority of its life, accurate battery monitoring requires loaded-battery voltage measurement. The DS1312 performs such measurement by periodically comparing the voltage of the battery as it supports an internal resistive load with a carefully selected reference voltage. If the battery voltage falls below the reference voltage under such conditions, the battery will soon reach end-of-life. As a result, the Battery Warning pin is activated to signal the need for battery replacement.