RTC Full-form

RTC full form is a Real Time Clock and is a kind of computer clock made of integrated circuits. It keeps an accurate track of days, hours, minutes, years and also months. Most devices which we require to check timing or date have an RTC inbuilt, for eg RTC is present in laptops, tablets and servers. Well, many confuse RTC with ordinary hardware clocks, both are different. The best part of real-time clocks is they can function even when the primary supply of power is not available. Older systems often make use of lithium batteries for the RTC however with the development of technology supercapacitors are widely used now. Read our article to gain a deeper understanding of RTC, its working and its uses in the real world.

What is RTC Full Form?

The full form of RTC is Real Time Clock and is treated as an alternate power source to keep track of time while the primary source of power is not present. In many RTCs, crystal oscillators are adopted however few use power line frequency. You will be amazed to learn that the crystal frequency of RTCs is the same as found in watches or hardware clocks. One of the sole purposes served by an RTC is they consume less power and often give respite to the main system for time-critical tasks. 

A lot of systems like digital cameras, digital clocks and some attendance portals are highly dependent on real-time clock technology. In situations whereby processes are concerned with time using any of the two methods, programming the controller’s time, or making use of RTC well later gives the most accurate data. 

Highlights on RTC

History of RTC

Real Time Clock (RTC full form) technology was first introduced by the computer manufacturer against IBM in 1984. The company used this emerging technology in systems like Novas, and IBM System/360s to get low-cost and accurate clocks. Use of this disruptive tool started being used widely in 1988 by a manufacturing sector of China in Dallas semiconductor materials. 

In North America and part of Europe, AC mains were adopted for meeting the demand for long-term frequency standards. Clocks that used AC mains enabled in maintaining standard time in the grids. Well, the system was later found inadequate for use in portable computers or grids in South Asia. 

How Does RTC Technology Work?

The RTCs generally work on second-basis and are widely used in some hardware or software systems for tracking both time and date. This system is designed to achieve accuracy and stability in viewing time. Real-time clocks often have an in-built oscillator that comprises external crystals. The use of external clock sources enables gaining accuracy and stability. 

For the generation of one-second clocks, multiplexers are allowed to choose a clock source which is then fed to the Prescaler, finally dividing by a variable of 32,768 (215).RTCs comprise a second counter which accounts for 32 bits. To manage calendar dates and keep accurate track of time, few RTC systems have specialized counters.

RTCs can function when the microcontroller is turned off because this technology contains a power pin which is attached to battery backup. 

Why is Using RTCs Important?

One of the primary purposes for which IBM designed RTC is to achieve perfect synchronization with various types of processes that use time. Gadgets that require the preservation of time rely on real-time clock technology. The architecture of RTC is designed in such a way that even in the absence of microcontrollers its functionalities remain unharmed. Here are some of the benefits offered by RTCs; let’s take a look.

• Software clocks fail to match the accuracy and efficiency of a real-time clock.
• The use of RTC technology helps in liberating the system requiring time management for urgent tasks.
• It consumes lower power and offers better stability in terms of frequency.
• It saves both the cost and time of organizations to install any separate expensive module to manage timekeeping.
• Its architecture makes use of a crystal oscillator that displays accurate time without any mistakes.
• The real-time clock technology has a stable battery life, on average it can last for around three or four years.

Overview of Categories of Real Time Clock ( RTC full form)

The Real time clock can be categorized into three major types which will be discussed below.

• Old RTCs

This category of the real-time clock was adopted by IBM in some of their systems like Novas and PDP-8s to get accurate and low-cost data. AC mains were adjusted to achieve long-term frequency. Transformers were used to produce sine waves in the computer’s power supply system. Clocks formed a major part of computer software, and operating systems used a timer to switch tasks.

• Radio-based RTCs

Few computers get information pertaining to clocks through digital radio which they adopt for promoting time standards. Basically, two kinds of protocols are used for checking standard time; network time protocol and mobile protocols like LTE. Well, when using mobile protocols one can get current local time directly; however, computers using network time protocol use GPS or any other radio transmission method for time checks.

• Software based RTC

This category mainly refers to the embedded systems that require programmers to design RTC, full form of which is real time clock, lacking in any system. Hardware timers in computers are found inadequate so the software can do the math for turning the system into accurate RTC. 

Pros and Cons of Using RTC

RTCs can be called revolutionary technology enabling devices to display accurate data and time. With its varied features and unique functionalities, the clock often poses some threats or limitations. To completely understand its potential, let’s discuss its pros and cons.

Pros:

• Accuracy is one of the prime advantages of this technology. This is perhaps the reason why devices like laptops have an in-built RTC. Compared to other methods of timekeeping, this system can automatically adjust to time zones.
• Applications that remain susceptible to heavy power consumption often use RTC. The clock has been specially designed to work effectively with less power. Devices like portable electronics are used to eliminate the issue of power outages.
• RTCs remain unaffected by power cuts as they are designed to work effectively even when the system restarts or the power goes off. It means this technology offers continuous service without any external influences.
• RTCs remain combined into microcontrollers so that they can be used with ease and convenience. With RTC's assistance, developers can eliminate the hassle of designing the clock circuits to keep track of the project timeline.

Cons:

• Real-time clocks remain highly dependent on power supply to keep track of time. In case of power failures, the clock may stop which requires resetting with the restoring of power. Devices that require time tracking even in the absence of power cannot use this technology.
• It might often raise some accuracy issues as external factors like temperature or the age of the crystal oscillator helping the system work prep can largely influence its functioning. This can simply indicate that in scientific or any other kind of research where timekeeping is of utter importance RTC won’t be a great choice.
• The price of this emerging technology can definitely cut a big hole in your pocket. As it uses high-grade technology its price is pretty higher than ordinary timekeeping devices.