page_title: Real-time clock
section_title: Examples
hierarchical_section_title: Real-time clock / Examples
caption_attribution_description: Crop of motherboard to show DALLAS real-time clock.
context_page_description: A real-time clock is a computer clock that keeps track of the current time.
  Although the term often refers to the devices in personal computers, servers and embedded systems, RTCs are present in almost any electronic device which needs to keep accurate time.
context_section_description: Many integrated circuit manufacturers make RTCs, including Epson, Intersil, IDT, Maxim, NXP Semiconductors, Texas Instruments, STMicroelectronics and Ricoh.  A common RTC used in single-board computers is the Maxim Integrated DS1307.
  The RTC was introduced to PC compatibles by the IBM PC/AT in 1984, which used a Motorola MC146818 RTC. Later, Dallas Semiconductor made compatible RTCs, which were often used in older personal computers, and are easily found on motherboards because of their distinctive black battery cap and silkscreened logo.
  In newer systems, the RTC is integrated into the southbridge chip.
  Some microcontrollers have a real-time clock built in, generally only the ones with many other features and peripherals.
caption: Dallas Semiconductor (DS1387) real-time clock from an older PC. This version also contains a battery-backed SRAM.
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