Real-Time Clock uses MLCCs for Back-up Power

The RV-8803-C7 from Micro Crystal AG is the first temperature-compensated real-time clock (RTC) optimized for ultra-low power consumption to replace expensive batteries and super caps with low cost MLCC capacitors for battery backup operation. The current consumption of 240nA and operation down to 1.5V significantly increases the operational life of backup supplies and allows for potential use of low cost MLCC capacitors as a short term backup solution. All this while providing accuracy of ±3.0 ppm (±0.26 seconds/day) over a temperature range of -40 to +85 degrees C.

In addition to the lowest current and best accuracy of all temperature-compensated RTCs, the RV-8803-C7 also has the smallest ceramic package in the industry with an integrated 32.768 KHz quartz crystal. The RTC’s accurate timekeeping together with reliability of a power failure backup makes it suited for a wide range of applications such as metering applications, embedded modules, data loggers, white goods, automotive, portable/wearable medical equipment and all types of POS systems.

Features of the RV-8803-C7 include: ultra-miniature ceramic SMD package: 3.2 x 1.5 x 0.8 mm; I2C interface; maximum ageing in the first year of ±3ppm; frequency tolerance at 25 degrees C of ±20ppm; a temperature-compensated operating voltage range of 1.5V to 5.5V; a current consumption of 240nA at Vdd of 3.0V; and AEC-Q200 qualified. This high-performance RTC module sets new standards in size, accuracy and current consumption, while remaining very low-cost, enabling universal use in price-sensitive applications.