1998-03-06 , E/IC-1008/54

When every nanoamp counts, it's time to count on Philips Semiconductors

Consuming a supply current of only 250 nA and remaining fully operational at voltages as low as 1 V, the new  PCF8563 Clock/Calendar IC from Philips Semiconductors, the largest European semiconductor manufacturer, sets a new standard in ultra low-power timekeeping. This unique level of performance makes it ideal for power critical applications such as mobile phones, car radios and security systems. Control and interrogation of all clock/calendar functions via a 2-wire I²C-bus interface allow the PCF8563 to be packaged in an ultra-small SO8 package that also helps to reduce the size and weight of equipment.

"Its ability to remain operational at one volt is particularly important in applications such as mobile phones, where battery packs are often allowed to approach deep discharge," said product marketing manager Jyoti Majmudar. "Coupled with its very low current consumption, this low-voltage capability also increases the amount of time that it can be kept operational from super-capacitor back-up power sources," she added.

The PCF8563 provides minutes, hours, days, day-of-week, month and year information, with automatic tracking of leap-years and a century indicator. It also features programmable alarm and timer functions, plus an interrupt output that can be used to periodically 'wake-up' the system in which it is embedded. As a result, overall system power consumption can be drastically reduced by making the PCF8563 the only device that remains permanently powered.

Designed by Philips Semiconductors' design group in Zurich, Switzerland, and manufactured in the company's patented SACMOS low-power CMOS technology, the PCF8563 is scheduled for volume production in the second quarter of '98. Samples are available now.

Philips Semiconductors, a division of Philips Electronics NV, headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, is the ninth largest semiconductor supplier in the world and the fourth largest supplier of discretes in the world. Philips Semiconductors' innovations in digital audio, video, and mobile technology position the company as a leader in the consumer, multimedia and wireless communications markets. Sales offices are located in all major markets around the world and are supported by systems labs.