25.6.2.1 Initialization

The following bits are enable-protected, meaning that they can only be written when the RTC is disabled (CTRLA.ENABLE=0):

  • Operating Mode bits in the Control A register (CTRLA.MODE)
  • Prescaler bits in the Control A register (CTRLA.PRESCALER)
  • Clear on Match bit in the Control A register (CTRLA.MATCHCLR)
  • Clock Representation bit in the Control A register (CTRLA.CLKREP)

The following register is enable-protected

  • Event Control register (EVCTRL)

Enable-protected bits and registers can be changed only when the RTC is disabled (CTRLA.ENABLE=0). If the RTC is enabled (CTRLA.ENABLE=1), these operations are necessary: first write CTRLA.ENABLE=0 and check whether the write synchronization has finished, then change the desired bit field value. Enable-protected bits in can be written at the same time as CTRLA.ENABLE is written to '1', but not at the same time as CTRLA.ENABLE is written to '0'.

Enable-protection is denoted by the "Enable-Protected" property in the register description.

The RTC prescaler divides the source clock for the RTC counter.

Note: In Clock/Calendar mode, the prescaler must be configured to provide a 1Hz clock to the counter for correct operation.

The frequency of the RTC clock (CLK_RTC_CNT) is given by the following formula:

f CLK_RTC_CNT = f CLK_RTC_OSC 2 PRESCALER

The frequency of the oscillator clock, CLK_RTC_OSC, is given by fCLK_RTC_OSC, and fCLK_RTC_CNT is the frequency of the internal prescaled RTC clock, CLK_RTC_CNT.