Clock/Timing - Real Time Clocks

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
DS12C887A

DS12C887A

Analog Devices, Inc.

DS12C887 REAL-TIME CLOCK

0

DS1307Z/TR

DS1307Z/TR

Analog Devices, Inc.

DS1307 64 X 8, SERIAL, I2C RTC

0

DS1340Z-33

DS1340Z-33

Analog Devices, Inc.

I2C RTC WITH TRICKLE CHARGER

0

DS17885E-3

DS17885E-3

Analog Devices, Inc.

DS17885 REAL-TIME CLOCK

566

DS1743P-70

DS1743P-70

Analog Devices, Inc.

Y2K, NV TIMEKEEPING RAM

9

DS1685Q-3

DS1685Q-3

Analog Devices, Inc.

DS1685 5V REAL-TIME CLOCK

3513

DS1248WP-120

DS1248WP-120

Analog Devices, Inc.

1024K NV SRAM & PHANTOM CLOCK

653

DS1248Y-120

DS1248Y-120

Analog Devices, Inc.

1024K NV SRAM & PHANTOM CLOCK

6107

DS1315N-33+

DS1315N-33+

Analog Devices, Inc.

DS1315 PHANTOM TIME CHIP

172

DS1553W-150

DS1553W-150

Analog Devices, Inc.

NV, Y2K TIMEKEEPING RAM

72

DS17285S-3NT

DS17285S-3NT

Analog Devices, Inc.

DS17285 REAL-TIME CLOCK

1000

DS1340Z-3

DS1340Z-3

Analog Devices, Inc.

I2C RTC WITH TRICKLE CHARGER

5551

DS12885TN+

DS12885TN+

Analog Devices, Inc.

DS12885 REAL-TIME CLOCK

1500

MAX6916EO33+

MAX6916EO33+

Analog Devices, Inc.

RTCS WITH MPU SUPERVISOR

0

DS1340Z-18

DS1340Z-18

Analog Devices, Inc.

I2C RTC WITH TRICKLE CHARGER

7964

DS14285N

DS14285N

Analog Devices, Inc.

DS14285 RTC WITH NV RAM CONTROL

2475

DS1673S-3

DS1673S-3

Analog Devices, Inc.

PORTABLE SYSTEM CONTROLLER

3429

DS1344D-18+TR

DS1344D-18+TR

Analog Devices, Inc.

LOW-CURRENT SPI/3-WIRE RTC

2446

DS1553WP-150

DS1553WP-150

Analog Devices, Inc.

NV, Y2K TIMEKEEPING RAM

5369

DS1305N

DS1305N

Analog Devices, Inc.

DS1305 SERIAL ALARM RTC

49

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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