tb460

Replacing the x1226, x1227 or x1228 RTC with
the ISL12026, ISL12026A, ISL12027 or ISL12028
®
Technical Brief
December 4, 2008
TB460.1
Introduction
Replacing the x1227 with the ISL12027
Intersil has recently introduced a new family of Real Time
Clock (RTC) devices (the “ISL1202x” family), which include
4k of EEPROM. These devices are pin-to-pin compatible
and include enhancements over an older family of devices
(the “x122x” family). These enhancements include:
The ISL12027 is an RTC device with 4k of EEPROM and
includes a RESET pin for outputting a hardware Reset signal
for microcontroller or logic system reset, or a watchdog timer
reset. The Reset function was improved in the ISL12027 to
perform a Reset even if the oscillator has not started or has
been stopped. The x1227 device would not issue a Reset
with a stopped oscillator. The ISL12027 can drop into an
x1227 socket with no hardware changes required, but
certain changes to the battery switchover and battery
operation should be reviewed. See the ISL12027 data sheet
for more details.
• Lower supply and battery backup current
• Reliable battery switchover
• Accurate Reset voltage trip points
• Oscillator functionality detection
Other enhancements are detailed in the data sheets. This
Technical Brief provides information for an engineer wishing
to use the new devices to replace the older devices in their
system.
Replacing the x1226 with the ISL12026 and
ISL12026A
The ISL12026, ISL12026A is an RTC device with 4k of
EEPROM and includes an IRQ/FOUT pin for outputting an
alarm interrupt or constant frequency clock. The ISL12026,
ISL12026A can drop into an x1226 socket with no hardware
changes required, but certain changes to the battery switchover
and battery operation should be reviewed. Note that the
ISL12026 cannot drop into applications where normal
operation requires VBAT>VDD (such as when VDD = 3.0V and
VBAT = 3.2V).The default register setup only allows reading
registers using the I2C bus with VBAT>VDD, not writing. For full
I2C read and write operation with VBAT>VDD, the ISL12026A
is available with the correct default setting for this operation.
There are only two changes that affect microcode or
software. First, the change in general purpose EEPROM
memory page size from 64 bytes to 16 bytes will require
changes to the memory writing procedure. Second, the RTC
registers require a full page write at a time instead of
allowing a single byte write. A single byte write to the RTC
registers will result in no update to those registers at all.
Note that there are additional status and control bits added to
the registers of the ISL12026 and ISL12026A. Review their
function thoroughly before substituting the ISL12026 or
ISL12026A for the x1226. Table 1 lists the complete hardware
and register changes. If the additional functionality is not
needed, however, the ISL12026A default factory setting
emulates the older device functionality.
1
There are only two changes that affect microcode or
software. First, the change in general purpose EEPROM
memory page size from 64 bytes to 16 bytes will require
changes to the memory writing procedure. Second, the RTC
registers require a full page write at a time instead of
allowing a single byte write. A single byte write to the RTC
registers will result in no update to those registers at all.
Note that there are additional status and control bits added
to the registers of the ISL12027, and their function should be
reviewed as well. Review their function thoroughly before
substituting the ISL12027 for the x1227. Table 2 lists the
complete hardware and register changes. If the additional
functionality is not needed, however, the device default
setting from the factory emulates the older device
functionality.
Replacing the x1228 with the ISL12028
The ISL12028 is an RTC device with 4k of EEPROM and
includes an IRQ/FOUT pin for outputting an alarm interrupt or
constant frequency clock, and a RESET pin for outputting a
hardware Reset signal for microcontroller or logic system
reset or a watchdog timer reset. The Reset function was
improved in the ISL12028 to perform a Reset even if the
oscillator has not started or has been stopped. The x1228
device would not issue a Reset with a stopped oscillator. The
ISL12028 can drop into an x1228 socket with no hardware
changes required, but certain changes to the battery
switchover and battery operation should be reviewed. See
the ISL12028 data sheet for more details.
There are only two changes that affect microcode or
software. First, the change in general purpose EEPROM
memory page size from 64 bytes to 16 bytes will require
changes to the memory writing procedure. Second, the RTC
registers require a full page write at a time instead of
allowing a single byte write. A single byte write to the RTC
registers will result in no update to those registers at all.
CAUTION: These devices are sensitive to electrostatic discharge; follow proper IC Handling Procedures.
1-888-INTERSIL or 1-888-468-3774 | Intersil (and design) is a registered trademark of Intersil Americas Inc.
Copyright Intersil Americas Inc. 2006, 2008. All Rights Reserved
All other trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.
Technical Brief 460
Note that the ISL12029 device has been introduced as well,
and is the same as the ISL12028 in all respects except for
an open drain IRQ/FOUT pin instead of the CMOS output pin
found on the ISL12028. This change will reduce battery
current drain in applications where the circuitry that connect
to this pin is powered down in battery backup mode.
Note that there are additional status and control bits added to
the registers of the ISL12027, and their function should be
reviewed as well. Review their function thoroughly before
substituting the ISL12028 for the x1228. Table 3 lists the
complete hardware and register changes. If the additional
functionality is not needed, however, the device default setting
from the factory emulates the older device functionality.
TABLE 1. REPLACING THE x1226 WITH THE ISL12026 AND ISL12026A
FUNCTION
OLD X1226
NEW ISL12026 or ISL12026A
AFFECTS SOFTWARE?
Battery Switchover
Device switches to battery mode once
VCC < VBAT
Battery Switchover
Hysteresis on VCC negative transition only Hysteresis on both VDD negative and positive NO
in legacy mode
transitions
Battery Current
1.25µA battery backup current
800nA battery backup current
NO
Power Supply
Min rise/fall times for VCC only
Max slew rate for VDD
NO
ISL12026 will NOT allow I2C writes in default
Device could work in battery backup as
long as VBAT > VTRIP and VBAT > VCC,
mode in applications where VBAT > VDD. The
including I2C operation with VBAT > VCC. ISL12026A is needed for performing I2C writes
with VBAT > VDD. This operation is register
selectable
NO. Selecting the correct
device should not require
changing a register
setting.
EEPROM
64-byte page write
16-byte page write
YES
Status Register
(None)
Status bit to indicate oscillator stopped
NO - Optional additional
functionality
Status Register
Legacy switchover only
BSW mode bit to change from legacy to
standard mode for battery switchover
NO - Optional additional
functionality
Control Registers
(None)
Memory map to expand slightly from addition of NO - Optional additional
bits
functionality
RTC Registers
Byte write or page write
Page write ONLY
YES
Pin Names
IRQ/PHZ
IRQ/FOUT
NO
Pin Names
VBACK
VBAT
NO
Pin Names
VCC
VDD
NO
Clock Inputs
External clocking on X1 with special input No external clocking
I2C Operation with
VBAT>VDD
2
Default mode is called "LP Mode" whereby the NO
device switches to battery when VDD<VBAT. An
option exists called “Normal Mode” which
requires 1) VCC < VBAT AND 2) VCC < VTRIP.
NO
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Technical Brief 460
TABLE 2. REPLACING THE x1227 WITH THE ISL12027
FUNCTION
OLD X1227
NEW ISL12027
AFFECTS SOFTWARE?
Battery Switchover
Device switches to battery mode once VCC Device switches to battery when 1) VCC < VBAT NO
< VBAT
AND 2) VCC < VRESET with option to work the
old way (called "LP Mode")
Battery Switchover
Hysteresis on VDD negative transition only Hysteresis on both VDD negative and positive NO
in legacy mode
transitions
Battery Current
1.25µA battery backup current
800nA battery backup current
NO
Power Supply
Min rise/fall times for VCC only
Max slew rate for VDD
NO
Reset Trip Voltages
4 available reset thresholds with ±2.5%
accuracy (old floating gate reference)
5 available reset thresholds with ±1.5% accuracy NO
(more accurate bandgap)
Reset Trip Voltages
Thresholds adjusted using complicated
analog voltage setting procedure
Thresholds programmed (1 of 5) using EEPROM NO
register
I2C Operation with Battery
Device could work as long as
VBAT > VDD > VRESET
Selectable operation whether I2C is active in
battery backup
NO
Operation with NO
Oscillator
No reset, no I2C communication
Reset will occur with no battery, I2C can
communicate
NO
EEPROM
64-byte page write
16-byte page write
YES
Status Register
(None)
Status bit to indicate oscillator stopped
NO - Optional additional
functionality
Status Register
Legacy switchover only
BSW mode bit to change from legacy to
standard mode for battery switchover
NO - Optional additional
functionality
Control Registers
(None)
Memory map to expand slightly from addition of NO - Optional additional
bits
functionality
RTC Registers
Byte write or page write
Page write ONLY - No single byte writes to setup YES
RTC registers
Pin Names
VBACK
VBAT
NO
Pin Names
VCC
VDD
NO
Clock Inputs
External clocking on X1 with special input No external clocking
3
NO
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Technical Brief 460
TABLE 3. REPLACING THE X1228 WITH THE ISL12028
FUNCTION
OLD X1228
NEW ISL12028
AFFECTS SOFTWARE?
Battery Switchover
Device switches to battery mode once
VCC < VBAT
Battery Switchover
Hysteresis on VDD negative transition only Hysteresis on both VDD negative and positive NO
in legacy mode
transitions
Battery Current
1.25µA battery backup current
800nA battery backup current
NO
Power Supply
Min rise/fall times for VCC only
Max slew rate for VDD
NO
Reset Trip Voltages
4 available reset thresholds with ±2.5%
accuracy (old floating gate reference)
5 available reset thresholds with ±1.5% accuracy NO
(more accurate bandgap)
Reset Trip Voltages
Thresholds adjusted using complicated
analog voltage setting procedure
Thresholds programmed (1 of 5) using EEPROM NO
register
I2C Operation with Battery
Device could work as long as
VBAT > VDD > VRESET
Selectable operation whether I2C is active in
battery backup
NO
Operation with NO
Oscillator
No reset, no I2C communication
Reset will occur with no battery, I2C can
communicate
NO
EEPROM
64-byte page write
16-byte page write
YES
Status Register
(None)
Status bit to indicate oscillator stopped
NO - Optional additional
functionality
Status Register
Legacy switchover only
BSW mode bit to change from legacy to
standard mode for battery switchover
NO - Optional additional
functionality
Control Registers
(None)
Memory map to expand slightly from addition of NO - Optional additional
bits
functionality
RTC Registers
Byte write or page write
Page write ONLY - No single byte writes to setup YES
RTC registers
Pin Names
IRQ/PHZ
IRQ/FOUT
NO
Pin Names
VBACK
VBAT
NO
Pin Names
VCC
VDD
NO
Clock Inputs
External clocking on X1 with special input No external clocking
Device switches to battery when 1) VCC < VBAT NO
AND 2) VCC < VRESET with option to work the
old way (called "LP Mode")
NO
Intersil Corporation reserves the right to make changes in circuit design, software and/or specifications at any time without notice. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned to
verify that the Application Note or Technical Brief is current before proceeding.
For information regarding Intersil Corporation and its products, see www.intersil.com
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December 4, 2008