Datasheet
DS1302 Trickle-Charge Timekeeping Chip 
5 of 13 
OSCILLATOR CIRCUIT 
The DS1302 uses an external 32.768kHz crystal. The oscillator circuit does not require any external resistors or 
capacitors to operate. Table 1 specifies several crystal parameters for the external crystal. Figure 1 shows a 
functional schematic of the oscillator circuit. If using a crystal with the specified characteristics, the 
startup time is 
usually less than one second. 
CLOCK ACCURACY 
The accuracy of the clock is dependent upon the accuracy of the crystal and the accuracy of the match between 
the capacitive load of the oscillator circuit and the capacitive load for which the crystal was trimmed. Additional 
error will be added by crystal frequency drift caused by temperature shifts. External circuit noise coupled into the 
oscillator circuit may result in the clock running fast. 
Figure 2 shows a typical PC board layout for isolating the 
crystal and oscillator from noise. Refer to Application 
Note 58: Crystal Considerations for Dallas Real-Time Clocks 
for detailed information. 
Table 1. Crystal Specifications* 
PARAMETER SYMBOL MIN TYP MAX UNITS 
Nominal Frequency  f
O
 32.768  kHz 
Series Resistance  ESR      45 
kΩ 
Load Capacitance  C
L
 6  pF 
*The crystal, traces, and crystal input pins should be isolated from RF generating signals. Refer to 
Application Note 58: Crystal Considerations for Dallas Real-Time Clocks for additional specifications. 
Figure 2. Typical PC Board Layout for Crystal 
LOCAL GROUND PLANE (LAYER 2) 
CRYSTAL 
X1 
X2 
GND 
NOTE: 
A
VOID ROUTING SIGNALS IN THE 
CROSSHATCHED AREA (UPPER LEFT-
HAND QUADRANT) OF THE PACKAGE 
UNLESS THERE IS A GROUND PLANE 
BETWEEN THE SIGNAL LINE AND THE 
PACKAGE. 
COMMAND BYTE 
Figure 3 shows the command byte. A command byte initiates each data transfer. The MSB (bit 7) must be a logic 
1. If it is 0, writes to the DS1302 will be disabled. Bit 6 specifies clock/calendar data if logic 0 or RAM data if logic 1. 
Bits 1 to 5 specify the designated registers to be input or output, and the LSB (bit 0) specifies a write operation 
(input) if logic 0 or read operation (output) if logic 1. The command byte is always input starting with the LSB (bit 0). 
Figure 3. Address/Command Byte 
1
RAM
CK
A4 A3 A2 A1 A0
RD
WR
76543210










