Clock/Timing - Real Time Clocks

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
DS1672-33

DS1672-33

Analog Devices, Inc.

I2C 32-BIT BINARY COUNTER RTC

809

DS17285-5

DS17285-5

Analog Devices, Inc.

DS17285 REAL-TIME CLOCK

65

DS1251YP-70

DS1251YP-70

Analog Devices, Inc.

4096K NV SRAM & PHANTOM CLOCK

320

DS1673E-5

DS1673E-5

Analog Devices, Inc.

PORTABLE SYSTEM CONTROLLER

2037

DS1284QN

DS1284QN

Analog Devices, Inc.

DS1284 WATCHDOG TIME KEEPERS

0

DS1500YE+

DS1500YE+

Analog Devices, Inc.

Y2K WATCHDOG RTC WITH NV CONTROL

210

DS1556W-120

DS1556W-120

Analog Devices, Inc.

NV, Y2K TIMEKEEPING RAM

153

DS1672S-33

DS1672S-33

Analog Devices, Inc.

I2C 32-BIT BINARY COUNTER RTC

5100

DS1646-120

DS1646-120

Analog Devices, Inc.

DS1646 NV TIMEKEEPING RAM

6071

DS1338Z-33

DS1338Z-33

Analog Devices, Inc.

I2C RTC WITH TRICKLE CHARGER

1115

DS1344D-3+

DS1344D-3+

Analog Devices, Inc.

DS1344 LOW-CURRENT SPI/3-WIRE RT

1185

DS1743W-150+

DS1743W-150+

Analog Devices, Inc.

REAL TIME CLOCK, NON-VOLATILE, 0

0

DS17285E-5

DS17285E-5

Analog Devices, Inc.

DS17285 REAL-TIME CLOCK

5705

DS1688

DS1688

Analog Devices, Inc.

RTC WITH NV RAM CONTROL

1519

DS12885Q

DS12885Q

Analog Devices, Inc.

DS12885 REAL-TIME CLOCK

0

DS17885S-5

DS17885S-5

Analog Devices, Inc.

DS17885 REAL-TIME CLOCK

3741

DS1339C-3

DS1339C-3

Analog Devices, Inc.

DS1339 I2C SERIAL RTC

6285

DS2417P

DS2417P

Analog Devices, Inc.

1-WIRE TIME CHIP WITH INTERRUPT

0

DS12887A

DS12887A

Analog Devices, Inc.

DS12887 REAL-TIME CLOCK

486

DS1251YP-70IND

DS1251YP-70IND

Analog Devices, Inc.

4096K NV SRAM & PHANTOM CLOCK

342

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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