RTC Full Form
What is the full form of RTC?
While working on a desktop or a laptop, do you ever find yourself checking the time on the taskbar of the screen? If your answer is yes, then what you are looking at is RTC, the Real-time-Clock. As the name suggests, an RTC is a computerized clock which records the time in its current state. Every device which needs to keep a track of time uses the RTC to keep up with it even when the device is shut off.
What is RTC?
Real-Time-Clock (RTC) is a device using an integrated circuit to record time. The device is used by computers, servers, embedded systems, or any other systems which need to keep accurate track of time. The device not only records hours, minutes, and seconds but also keeps up with days, months, and years giving us access to the precise time on a given day in a given year.
How is RTC Made?
Since RTCs are required to work even if the device they are attached to is turned off, they have their own power system. Usually, lithium batteries are used to power the RTC, but in recent times, supercapacitors have taken over. This has happened because unlike the former, the latter is rechargeable and can be easily soldered.
Although some RTCs use crystal oscillators to regulate the time, some use micromechanical resonators along with the silicon chip attached to the RTC.
History of RTC
RTC was first launched by International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) in 1984. It was introduced as a less hassle and more accurate clock timer as compared to the software clocks.
Benefits of Using RTC
Real-Time-Clock has many upsides when compared with its software counterparts.
RTCs consume low power.
Since it has a separate power supply of its own, it leaves the main power supply for other critical tasks.
RTCs are more accurate than software clocks.
RTCs show better synchronicity than their other counterparts.
RTCs rely on integrated circuits (ICs) rather than clock signals.
RTCs are embedded with alarm functions.
RTCs have a long-lasting battery backup.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There are 3 different types of RTCs:
Radio-based RTCs - use digital radio to record time.
Software-based RTCs - use quartz crystals or ceramic resonators to record time.
Historic RTCs - use AC mains to record time.
A major disadvantage of using RTC is the constant need for power supply.
RTCs use crystal oscillators to keep track of time in real state.
The best example of the use of RTCs can be found in their use in the motherboard of computers. Computers need to be accurate in their presentation of time and date which is where RTCs are used.