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Design And Construction Of A Digital Real Time Clock

Electrical Electronics Engineering | Industrial Physics | Physics

The design and construction of a digital real-time clock (DRTC) involve the meticulous integration of electronic components to ensure accurate timekeeping in various applications. A digital real-time clock is a sophisticated timekeeping device that relies on electronic circuits and a quartz crystal oscillator to provide precise time information. The fundamental components include a microcontroller, often programmed with firmware to manage time functions, a crystal oscillator that resonates at a specific frequency, and a display unit for presenting the time information. Additionally, the circuit may incorporate power supply components to ensure continuous operation. The microcontroller processes the oscillations generated by the crystal, translating them into a reliable timekeeping mechanism. The design must carefully consider factors such as clock accuracy, power consumption, and display readability to meet the specific requirements of the application. Through the synergistic collaboration of these components, a robust and accurate digital real-time clock can be realized, catering to diverse timekeeping needs in electronic systems.

Digital clock is a type of clock that displays the time digitally (i.e. in numerals), as opposed to an analog clock, where the time is indicated by the positions of rotating hands.

Digital clocks are often associated with electronic drives, but the “digital” description refers only to the display, not to the drive mechanism.

The aim of this work is to design a digital real time clock which is also known as computer clock. Digital real time clock counts hours, minutes, seconds, months, days and even years. RTCs can be found running in personal computers, embedded systems and servers, and are present in any electronic device that may require accurate time keeping. Being able to still function even when the computer is powered down through a battery or independently from the system’s main power is fundamental.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COVER PAGE

TITLE PAGE

APPROVAL PAGE

DEDICATION

ACKNOWELDGEMENT

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

PROBLEM STATEMENT
PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT
AIM/OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT
APPLICATION OF THE PROJECT
SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
PROJECT ORGANISATION

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY
REVIEW OF THE STUDY
POWER SOURCE OF RTC
TIMING OF REAL TIME CLOCK
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF REAL TIME CLOCK
REVIEW OF DIGITAL CLOCK
THE HISTORITICAL BACKGROUND OF THE DIGITAL CLOCK

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

INTRODUCTION
SYSTEM BLOCK DIAGRAM
SYSTEM CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

CHAPTER FOUR

.0 CONSTRUCTION PROCEDURE AND TESTING ANALYSIS
- CASING AND PACKAGING
- ASSEMBLING OF SECTIONS
- TESTING OF SYSTEM OPERATION
- INSTALLATION OF THE COMPLETED DESIGN
- COST ANALYSIS
- DESCRIPTION OF SOME MAJOR COMPONENTS USED

CHAPTER FIVE

CONCLUSION
RECOMMENDATION
REFERENCES

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Digital clock is very useful projects for final year students. It has an Inbuilt Real Time Clock which tracks over the Real Time. It displays the time in hh:mms format. The time and date can be changed at any Time using the button. The Real Time Clock is displayed on LCD display.

The purpose of an RTC or a real time clock is to provide precise time and date which can be used for various applications. RTC is an electronic device in the form of an Integrated Chip (IC) available in various packaging options. It is powered by an internal lithium battery. As a result of which even if the power of the system is turned off, the RTC clock keeps running.

It plays a very important role in the real time systems like digital clock, attendance system, digital camera etc. In applications where time stamp is needed, RTC is a good option. Using RTC for designing such application has always been a good designer’s choice although the beginning might be a bit difficult.

While designing any real time system which deals with time, there are two ways of handling the time factor. One is to generate the time internally which is done by programming the timers of the controller; and the other is to use an RTC. The following table shows the comparison of these methods while designing a real time application.

1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT

The first clock that was invented was analogue clock which has no other features apart from time and it also consumes higher power and stops working as soon as the power battery is removed. These disadvantages also happen in our digital clocks – their time is reset or stopped as soon as the system power battery or source is removed. However, digital real time clock came to overcome these problems. Digital real time clock counts hours, minutes, seconds, months, days and even years digitally. RTCs can be found running in personal computers, embedded systems and servers, and are present in any electronic device that may require accurate time keeping. Being able to still function even when the computer is powered down through a battery or independently from the system’s main power is fundamental.

1.3 AIM OF THE PROJECT

The objective of this project is to construct a device that will display the time in seconds, minutes and hours, even date. The time and date can be set using the button.

1.4 PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT

The purpose of an RTC or a real time clock is to provide precise time and date which can be used for various applications.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT

You truly cannot be an organized human being unless you use a good timing system! And if you’re still someone who likes to keep all of their appointments, activities – I highly encourage you to consider tossing out the paper and find an electronic clock system that works for you.

One of the most beautiful things about digital clock is that they can be synced, so you can have your clock on your smart phone, your tablet, your laptop, as well as it can sync to your husband’s electronic clock and your kids’ clock. So no matter where you are- you can easily look up and see what your current appointments are for any given day. And the important people in your life can know the latest schedule and commitments too- without coming home and consulting the kitchen wall.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT

Even if there is power failure, this clock displays the right time using an inverter.
Simplicity of the system.
Accuracy of the system.
RTC ICs have proved to be more precise than other methods — like programming the timer of the controller.
It frees the main system from time-critical tasks.
It has low power consumption and improved frequency stability.

1.7 APPLICATIONS OF THE PROJECT
Because digital real time clock is very small and inexpensive devices that enhance the popularity of product designs, they are often incorporated into all kinds of devices such as
i. Cars

Radios

iii.Televisions

personal computers,
alarm clock
embedded systems and servers

1.8 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

Digital real time clock counts hours, minutes, seconds, months, days and even years digitally. RTCs accurately keep time, even when the device is powered off because, it is often used as a trigger for turning the device on or triggering events such as alarm clocks. RTC ICs run on an alternate power source, which allows it to continually operate under low power or even when the computer is turned off. ICs on older systems utilize lithium batteries, whereas newer systems make use of auxiliary batteries or supercapacitors. RTC ICs that use supercapacitors are rechargeable and can be soldered. But in most consumer-grade motherboards, the RTC is powered by a single battery that, when removed, resets the RTC to its starting point.

RTC ICs regulate time with the use of a crystal oscillator and do not rely on clock signals like most hardware clocks. Aside from being responsible for the timing function of the system and its clock, RTC ICs ensure that all processes occurring in the system are appropriately synchronized. Although some may argue that this is a job for the system clock, the system clock is actually dependent on the RTC, making the RTC indirectly responsible for synchronization.

An RTC battery should last for three to five years or more. RTCs are essential; if the battery fails, it must be replaced to ensure continued operation. A dead battery can be diagnosed with an error message at startup or if the user finds that the clock or the setup configuration has become corrupted, flaky or odd.

1.9 PROJECT WORK ORGANISATION

The various stages involved in the development of this project have been properly put into five chapters to enhance comprehensive and concise reading. In this project thesis, the project is organized sequentially as follows:

Chapter one of this work is on the introduction to a digital clock. In this chapter, the background, significance, objective limitation and problem of a digital clock were discussed.

Chapter two is on literature review of a digital clock. In this chapter, all the literature pertaining to this work was reviewed.

Chapter three is on design methodology. In this chapter all the method involved during the design and construction were discussed.

Chapter four is on testing analysis. All testing that result accurate functionality was analyzed.

Chapter five is on conclusion, recommendation and references.