Date: 04/08/2011

Smallest integrated RTC/crystal device in the market from ST

STMicroelectronics has announced the combination of crystal and real-time clock (RTC) IC M41T62 for time, calendar and alarm functions. STMicroelectronics says it is the world's smallest integrated RTC/crystal device in the market.

STMicroelectronics says that the M41T62 suits to the needs of battery-powered designs. Many integrated microcontrollers have an on-chip RTC, but these often provide limited features and an external crystal is always required.

Key features of M41T62 include:
3.2 x 1.5mm lead-free ceramic package
RTC and crystal within industry's smallest crystal-only outline
Ultra-low power consumption of 350nA @ 3 V
Low operating voltage: 1.3V - 4.4V
Provides stable 32kHz on power-up
Oscillator failure detection ensuring safe operation
Timekeeping down to 1.0V
Programmable alarm and watchdog

"This state-of-the-art real-time clock, embedded in this small-volume crystal package, provides the perfect solution for any portable design," said Francesco Italia, Director of the Sensors and Microactuators Business Unit within ST's MEMS, Sensors and High-Performance Analog Division. "It saves space, optimizes power consumption, and can run directly from a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery. This turn-key solution alleviates the headache for designers of matching the right crystal with the right real-time-clock silicon."

According to STMicroelectronics the M41T62 simplifies product design, some operations of the device such as power-down time stamping, low-battery detection can be done without the additional external components needed by a microcontroller RTC, device is UL certified and has a built-in reverse diode. The M41T62 improves the performance of systems whose functions rely on data logging; time stamping, interval monitoring or synchronization says STmicroelectronics. Applications of M41T62 such as SLR digital cameras, GPS receivers, portable multimedia players, card readers, portable medical monitors such as glucose meters.

Available: Now
Price: $1.50 each for 1K units