Clock/Timing - Real Time Clocks

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
DS17285S-3/T&R

DS17285S-3/T&R

DS17285 REAL-TIME CLOCK

1000

DS14285N+

DS14285N+

Analog Devices, Inc.

DS14285 RTC WITH NV RAM CONTROL

2822

DS1338U-33+T&R

DS1338U-33+T&R

Maxim Integrated

IC RTC CLK/CALENDAR I2C 8-USOP

3929

DS1670S

DS1670S

Analog Devices, Inc.

PORTABLE SYSTEM CONTROLLER

77

DS1744W-120+

DS1744W-120+

Maxim Integrated

IC RTC CLK/CALENDAR PAR 28-EDIP

114

DS2415P

DS2415P

Analog Devices, Inc.

DS2415 1-WIRE TIME CHIP

11383

DS1340U-18+

DS1340U-18+

Maxim Integrated

IC RTC CLK/CALENDAR I2C 8-USOP

2817050

DS1315N-33

DS1315N-33

Analog Devices, Inc.

DS1315 PHANTOM TIME CHIP

1467

MCP79511T-I/MS

MCP79511T-I/MS

Roving Networks / Microchip Technology

IC RTC CLK/CALENDAR SPI 10-MSOP

0

ISL12026AIBZ

ISL12026AIBZ

Intersil (Renesas Electronics America)

IC RTC CLK/CALENDAR I2C 8-SOIC

0

M48T35Y-70MH1F

M48T35Y-70MH1F

STMicroelectronics

IC RTC CLK/CALENDAR PAR 28SOH

0

DS1315-5

DS1315-5

Analog Devices, Inc.

DS1315 PHANTOM TIME CHIP

42

DS1392U-33+

DS1392U-33+

Maxim Integrated

IC RTC CLK/CALENDAR SER 10-USOP

485050

LV8571AN

LV8571AN

RTC, VOLATILE, 2 TIMER(S)

5515

RV-3049-C2-32.768KHZ-OPTION-B-TA-QC

RV-3049-C2-32.768KHZ-OPTION-B-TA-QC

Micro Crystal

IC RTC CLK/CALENDAR SPI 10-SON

0

1339-31DCGI8

1339-31DCGI8

Renesas Electronics America

IC RTC CLK/CALENDAR I2C 8-SOIC

0

DS1248WP-120+

DS1248WP-120+

Maxim Integrated

IC RTC PHANTOM PAR 34-PCM

0

PT7C43390WEX

PT7C43390WEX

Zetex Semiconductors (Diodes Inc.)

IC RTC CLK/CALENDAR I2C 8-SOIC

0

DS1315-33

DS1315-33

Analog Devices, Inc.

DS1315 PHANTOM TIME CHIP

93

RTC-8564JE:B0 ROHS

RTC-8564JE:B0 ROHS

Epson

IC RTC CLK/CALENDAR I2C 20-VSOJ

0

Clock/Timing - Real Time Clocks

1. Overview

Real-Time Clocks (RTCs) are integrated circuits designed to maintain accurate timekeeping in electronic systems, even during power interruptions. They provide critical time-of-day, date, and alarm functions through battery-backed or capacitor-powered circuits. RTCs are essential for applications requiring precise temporal synchronization in embedded systems, consumer electronics, industrial automation, and automotive systems.

2. Major Types and Functional Classification

TypeFunctional FeaturesApplication Examples
Parallel Interface RTCs8/16-bit parallel data buses, fast accessIndustrial controllers, legacy systems
I2C/SPI Interface RTCsSerial communication, low pin countSmartphones, IoT devices
Embedded Crystal RTCsIntegrated crystal oscillator, reduced footprintWearables, medical devices
Low-Power RTCsSub-1 A standby current, extended battery lifeEnergy harvesting systems, sensors

3. Structure and Components

Typical RTC architecture includes:

  • 32.768kHz crystal oscillator circuit
  • Binary counter with BCD/time registers
  • Power supply monitoring and switching circuitry
  • Communication interface (I2C, SPI, etc.)
  • Alarm and interrupt generation modules
  • Temperature compensation circuitry (for high-precision variants)

Common packaging: 8-24 pin DIP/SOP/TSSOP, with optional integrated crystal in QFN packages.

4. Key Technical Specifications

ParameterImportanceTypical Values
Timekeeping AccuracyDetermines cumulative error over time 2ppm (0 C-40 C), 20ppm industrial
Supply CurrentImpacts battery life800nA-2 A @ 3V
Operating TemperatureDefines environmental reliability-40 C to +85 C standard
Interface SpeedLimits system communication bandwidth400kHz I2C, 10MHz SPI
Timekeeping VoltageDetermines minimum operation threshold1.3V-3.7V

5. Application Areas

Key industries and equipment:

  • Consumer Electronics: Smartphones, Set-top boxes, Digital cameras
  • Industrial Automation: PLCs, SCADA systems, Data loggers
  • Medical Devices: Patient monitors, Infusion pumps, Diagnostic equipment
  • Automotive: Telematics units, ADAS, In-vehicle infotainment
  • Smart Energy: Smart meters, Grid sensors, Energy storage systems

Case Study: DS3231 RTC in solar inverters maintains time-stamped energy production logs during grid outages.

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

ManufacturerProduct SeriesKey Features
Analog DevicesADT74x 0.5ppm accuracy, I2C interface
Maxim IntegratedDS3231Integrated TCXO, 2ppm
STMicroelectronicsM41T82Auto-calibration, 256Hz output
NXP SemiconductorsPCF8523Low-cost I2C, 1.8V operation
Texas InstrumentsRV-8263-C33V lithium-backed, alarm functions

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations:

  • Accuracy requirements ( 2ppm vs 20ppm)
  • Interface compatibility (I2C vs SPI vs parallel)
  • Power budget (active vs standby current)
  • Environmental conditions (temperature, vibration)
  • Package size vs PCB space limitations
  • Battery backup vs capacitor-based solutions
  • Additional features (alarms, square wave outputs)

Example: For wearables: prioritize ultra-low power (M41T94 @ 600nA) with small TSSOP package.

8. Industry Trends

Emerging trends include:

  • Integration with MEMS oscillators replacing traditional crystals
  • Advancements in temperature compensation algorithms ( 0.1ppm achievable)
  • System-in-Package (SiP) solutions combining RTC with sensors
  • Increased adoption in edge computing devices for timestamped data processing
  • Automotive-grade RTCs for autonomous vehicle synchronization

Market drivers: Growth in IoT devices (projected 12% CAGR 2023-2030) and industrial automation systems.

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