STMicroelectronics has unveiled the world’s smallest real time clock with an embedded crystal. The space saving and battery life optimizing wonder is the latest in portable electronics and a classic case of miniaturization in high tech gadgets.
STMicroelectronics Unveils World’s Smallest Real-Time Clock with Embedded Crystal. Image Credit: STMicroelectronics
The Italian-French electronics and semiconductor manufacturer has said that the world’s smallest clock besides showing the time has a calendar and alarm functions. The dimensions of the real time clock are just 3.2 x 1.5mm. The model being known as the M41T62 is ideally suited to the needs of battery-powered designs.
Francesco Italia, Director of the Sensors and Microactuators Business Unit within ST's MEMS, Sensors and High-Performance Analog Division said that this state-of-the-art real-time clock, embedded in this small-volume crystal package, provides the perfect solution for any portable design.
He added that 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.
The M41T62 is entering into volume production now in the LCC8 leadless package, priced at approximately $1.50 in quantities of 1,000 units. It can be used to improve performance of systems whose functions rely on data logging, time stamping, interval monitoring or synchronization. This includes gadgets such as SLR digital cameras, GPS receivers, portable multimedia players, card readers, portable medical monitors such as glucose meters.
Major features of the M41T62
- 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