Dallas Semiconductor Corp has developed a 64-bit two-pin chip that holds a unique serial number that can identify printed circuit board assemblies, provide a network address, or provide an access code: powered from the signal coming in, the DS2400 Silicon Serial Number contains 64 bits that are written by a laser at the Dallas manufacturing facility, with the first eight bits containing the model number, the next 48 bits a one-of-a-kind serial number and the last eight bits are cyclic redundancy checking circuitry comes in a TO-92 plastic transistor case at 35 cents for 100,000-up; the company also sees it as a cheap solution for things like garage door openers that shouldn’t open more than one door.
