EmbeddedRelated.com
PCF2131-ARD

PCF2131-ARD

NXP USA Inc.
PCF2131 Real Time Clock (RTC) Clock Timing Arduino Platform Evaluation Expansion Board
Active6 in stock

Overview

The PCF2131-ARD is an evaluation expansion board designed to demonstrate the PCF2131 ultra-accurate Real Time Clock (RTC) with integrated temperature compensation. This Arduino-compatible shield provides a complete hardware platform for testing timekeeping, frequency output, and security timestamping features. It includes a battery holder for switch-over circuit evaluation and supports both I2C and SPI bus interfaces.

Why Choose This Part

This board simplifies RTC integration by providing a pre-validated layout with an adjustable voltage regulator and a dedicated battery backup circuit. It features four independent timestamp inputs and a programmable watchdog, allowing engineers to prototype complex system-monitoring tasks quickly. The inclusion of an Aardvark header and Arduino ports ensures compatibility with a wide range of host controllers and PC-based GUI tools.

Applications

Networked Infrastructure
Providing accurate time-stamping for data logging and system synchronization in industrial gateways.
Electronic Toll Collection
Utilizing high-precision timekeeping and tamper-detection timestamps for financial transactions.
Battery-Powered Instruments
Testing low-power operation and automatic battery switch-over logic for portable field equipment.
Industrial Automation
Implementing programmable watchdog functions to monitor system reliability and reset frozen microcontrollers.

Key Specifications

Type Clock Timing
Contents Board(s)
Function Real Time Clock (RTC)
Platform Arduino
Utilized IC / Part PCF2131

Getting Started

Connect the PCF2131-ARD to an Arduino-compatible baseboard or use the Aardvark header for direct PC control via USB. Engineers should install the NXP graphical user interface (GUI) to configure the RTC registers and monitor the temperature-compensated frequency outputs without writing custom code. The board supports temperature ranges from -40C to +85C for testing in varied environments.