DS3231S Real Time Clock IC Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The DS3231S is a Real Time Clock (RTC) IC manufactured by Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated, designed for clock/calendar applications using I2C 2-Wire Serial communication. The device operates across a supply voltage range of 2.3V to 5.5V and features alarm functionality, leap year support, and square wave output capabilities in a 16-SOIC surface mount package.

The DS3231S is classified as Obsolete, which necessitates identification of functionally equivalent alternatives for new designs and ongoing production requirements. Substitute parts must maintain compatibility across critical electrical parameters including supply voltage range, I2C interface protocol, time/date format support, and operating temperature specifications.

Substiute Parts

DS3231S
Analog Devices Inc./Maxim IntegratedIn Stock: 1271DS3231S Datasheet
DS3231S
Current Part
DS3231S#
Analog Devices Inc./Maxim IntegratedIn Stock: 1246DS3231S# Datasheet
DS3231S#
Direct
BU9873F-GTE2
Rohm SemiconductorIn Stock: 1486BU9873F-GTE2 Datasheet
BU9873F-GTE2
MFR Recommended
ISL12022MIBZ-TR5421
Renesas Electronics CorporationIn Stock: 57656ISL12022MIBZ-TR5421 Datasheet
ISL12022MIBZ-TR5421
MFR Recommended
ISL12026IBZ-T
Renesas Electronics CorporationIn Stock: 3209ISL12026IBZ-T Datasheet
ISL12026IBZ-T
MFR Recommended
ISL12058IBZ
Renesas Electronics CorporationIn Stock: 2287ISL12058IBZ Datasheet
ISL12058IBZ
MFR Recommended
M41T00SM6F
STMicroelectronicsIn Stock: 26607M41T00SM6F Datasheet
M41T00SM6F
MFR Recommended
MCP79400T-I/SN
Microchip TechnologyIn Stock: 19874MCP79400T-I/SN Datasheet
MCP79400T-I/SN
MFR Recommended
MCP79401T-I/ST
Microchip TechnologyIn Stock: 726MCP79401T-I/ST Datasheet
MCP79401T-I/ST
MFR Recommended
MCP79402T-I/MS
Microchip TechnologyIn Stock: 2042MCP79402T-I/MS Datasheet
MCP79402T-I/MS
MFR Recommended
MCP7940N-I/ST
Microchip TechnologyIn Stock: 2002MCP7940N-I/ST Datasheet
MCP7940N-I/ST
MFR Recommended
MCP7940NT-E/MS
Microchip TechnologyIn Stock: 3005MCP7940NT-E/MS Datasheet
MCP7940NT-E/MS
MFR Recommended
MCP7940NT-I/ST
Microchip TechnologyIn Stock: 3345MCP7940NT-I/ST Datasheet
MCP7940NT-I/ST
MFR Recommended
MCP79412T-I/MS
Microchip TechnologyIn Stock: 2234MCP79412T-I/MS Datasheet
MCP79412T-I/MS
MFR Recommended
PCF85063TP/1Z
NXP USA Inc.In Stock: 3193PCF85063TP/1Z Datasheet
PCF85063TP/1Z
MFR Recommended
PCF85263ATL/AX
NXP USA Inc.In Stock: 34208PCF85263ATL/AX Datasheet
PCF85263ATL/AX
MFR Recommended
PT7C4311WEX
Diodes IncorporatedIn Stock: 3273PT7C4311WEX Datasheet
PT7C4311WEX
MFR Recommended
RTC-8564NB:B3 ROHS
EPSONIn Stock: 2693RTC-8564NB:B3 ROHS Datasheet
RTC-8564NB:B3 ROHS
MFR Recommended
RX-8731LC:B PURE SN
RX-8731LC:B PURE SN
MFR Recommended
RX8900CE:UA0
EPSONIn Stock: 1715RX8900CE:UA0 Datasheet
RX8900CE:UA0
MFR Recommended
RX8900CE:UBB
EPSONIn Stock: 925RX8900CE:UBB Datasheet
RX8900CE:UBB
MFR Recommended
RX8900SA:UC3 PURE SN
RX8900SA:UC3 PURE SN
MFR Recommended
S-35390A-J8T1U
ABLIC Inc.In Stock: 1000219S-35390A-J8T1U Datasheet
S-35390A-J8T1U
MFR Recommended
S-35390A-T8T1U
ABLIC Inc.In Stock: 4419S-35390A-T8T1U Datasheet
S-35390A-T8T1U
MFR Recommended

Key Parameters

Parameter DS3231S Specification
Interface I2C, 2-Wire Serial
Voltage - Supply 2.3V ~ 5.5V
Voltage - Supply, Battery 2.3V ~ 5.5V
Current - Timekeeping (Max) 110µA ~ 170µA @ 3.63V ~ 5.5V
Operating Temperature 0°C ~ 70°C
Time Format HH:MM:SS (12/24 hr)
Date Format YY-MM-DD-dd
Features Alarm, Leap Year, Square Wave Output, TCXO/Crystal
Package / Case 16-SOIC (0.295", 7.50mm Width)
Mounting Type Surface Mount
RoHS Status ROHS3 Compliant

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution eligibility for the DS3231S is determined by strict alignment with the following critical parameters:

Primary Substitution Criteria:

  • I2C 2-Wire Serial interface protocol
  • Supply voltage range compatibility (minimum 2.3V, maximum 5.5V)
  • Time format support (12/24 hour capability)
  • Date format support (YY-MM-DD-dd)
  • Alarm and leap year functionality
  • Surface mount technology
  • ROHS3 compliance

Secondary Considerations:

  • Operating temperature range (0°C minimum acceptable; extended ranges acceptable)
  • Package form factor (16-SOIC preferred; alternative packages acceptable if electrical parameters align)
  • Current consumption during timekeeping operation
  • Product status (Active status preferred for new designs; Not For New Designs acceptable for legacy support)

Substitute parts are grouped into two categories: Direct equivalents maintaining identical package specifications, and functional equivalents with alternative package configurations that preserve electrical compatibility.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number Manufacturer Interface Supply Voltage Battery Voltage Time Format Date Format Package Operating Temp Product Status
DS3231S Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated I2C, 2-Wire Serial 2.3V ~ 5.5V 2.3V ~ 5.5V HH:MM:SS (12/24 hr) YY-MM-DD-dd 16-SOIC (0.295", 7.50mm) 0°C ~ 70°C Obsolete
DS3231S# Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated I2C, 2-Wire Serial 2.3V ~ 5.5V 2.3V ~ 5.5V HH:MM:SS (12/24 hr) YY-MM-DD-dd 16-SOIC (0.295", 7.50mm) 0°C ~ 70°C Active
ISL12022MIBZ-TR5421 Renesas Electronics Corporation I2C, 2-Wire Serial 2.7V ~ 5.5V 1.8V ~ 5.5V HH:MM:SS (12/24 hr) YY-MM-DD-dd 20-SOIC (0.295", 7.50mm) -40°C ~ 85°C Active
ISL12026IBZ-T Renesas Electronics Corporation I2C, 2-Wire Serial 2.7V ~ 5.5V 1.8V ~ 5.5V HH:MM:SS (12/24 hr) YY-MM-DD-dd 8-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm) -40°C ~ 85°C Active
ISL12058IBZ Renesas Electronics Corporation I2C, 2-Wire Serial 1.8V ~ 3.6V Not specified HH:MM:SS (12/24 hr) YY-MM-DD-dd 8-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm) -40°C ~ 85°C Active
BU9873F-GTE2 Rohm Semiconductor I2C, 2-Wire Serial 1.8V ~ 5.5V Not specified HH:MM:SS (12/24 hr) YY-MM-DD-dd 8-SOIC (0.173", 4.40mm) -40°C ~ 85°C Not For New Designs
M41T00SM6F STMicroelectronics I2C, 2-Wire Serial 2.7V ~ 5.5V 2V ~ 4.6V HH:MM:SS (24 hr) YY-MM-DD-dd 8-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm) -40°C ~ 85°C Active
MCP79400T-I/SN Microchip Technology I2C, 2-Wire Serial 1.8V ~ 5.5V 1.3V ~ 5.5V HH:MM:SS (12/24 hr) YY-MM-DD-dd 8-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm) -40°C ~ 85°C Active
MCP79401T-I/ST Microchip Technology I2C, 2-Wire Serial 1.8V ~ 5.5V 1.3V ~ 5.5V HH:MM:SS (12/24 hr) YY-MM-DD-dd 8-TSSOP (0.173", 4.40mm) -40°C ~ 85°C Active
MCP79402T-I/MS Microchip Technology I2C, 2-Wire Serial 1.8V ~ 5.5V 1.3V ~ 5.5V HH:MM:SS (12/24 hr) YY-MM-DD-dd 8-MSOP (0.118", 3.00mm) -40°C ~ 85°C Active
AB-RTCMC-32.768KHZ-IBO5-S3-T Abracon LLC I2C, 2-Wire Serial 1.5V ~ 3.6V 1.4V ~ 3.6V HH:MM:SS:hh (24 hr) YY-MM-DD-dd Module -40°C ~ 85°C Not For New Designs

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Direct Equivalent (Preferred for Pin-Compatible Replacement):

DS3231S# represents the direct equivalent to the obsolete DS3231S, maintaining identical electrical specifications, package configuration (16-SOIC), and feature set. This part is classified as Active and carries ROHS3 compliance certification. Selection of DS3231S# eliminates redesign requirements and preserves existing PCB layouts and firmware implementations.

Primary Functional Alternatives (Active Status, Extended Operating Range):

ISL12022MIBZ-TR5421 (Renesas Electronics Corporation) provides full electrical compatibility with extended operating temperature range (-40°C to 85°C) and enhanced memory capacity (128B SRAM). The 20-SOIC package requires PCB layout modification but maintains identical pin pitch (0.295", 7.50mm width). Supply voltage range (2.7V minimum) is compatible with DS3231S applications operating above 2.7V.

MCP79400T-I/SN and MCP79401T-I/ST (Microchip Technology) offer extended supply voltage range (1.8V minimum) and reduced timekeeping current consumption (1.2µA typical at 3.3V). These parts require package-level redesign due to 8-pin SOIC/TSSOP configurations but maintain full I2C protocol compatibility and 12/24-hour time format support.

Secondary Alternatives (Reduced Operating Temperature Range or Legacy Status):

ISL12026IBZ-T and ISL12058IBZ (Renesas Electronics Corporation) provide compact 8-SOIC packages with active product status. ISL12058IBZ operates at reduced supply voltage (1.8V to 3.6V), limiting applicability to low-power designs. Both parts support extended operating temperature range (-40°C to 85°C).

BU9873F-GTE2 (Rohm Semiconductor) and AB-RTCMC-32.768KHZ-IBO5-S3-T (Abracon LLC) carry "Not For New Designs" status and are suitable only for legacy production support or replacement applications where design freeze is required.

M41T00SM6F (STMicroelectronics) operates with 24-hour time format only, eliminating 12-hour format capability. Selection requires firmware modification for applications requiring 12-hour operation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can DS3231S# be used as a direct replacement for DS3231S?

A: Yes. DS3231S# is the direct equivalent, maintaining identical electrical specifications, package configuration, and feature set. The primary difference is product status: DS3231S# is Active while DS3231S is Obsolete. No design modifications are required.

Q: What is the minimum supply voltage requirement for substitute selection?

A: The DS3231S operates from 2.3V minimum. Substitute parts with higher minimum voltage requirements (2.7V or 1.8V) are compatible with applications operating above their specified minimums. Applications requiring operation below 2.7V must select parts with 1.8V or lower minimum specifications, such as MCP79400T-I/SN or MCP79401T-I/ST.

Q: Are package changes acceptable when selecting substitutes?

A: Package changes are acceptable provided the I2C interface, supply voltage range, time/date format support, and operating temperature specifications remain compatible. Package changes require PCB layout redesign and may necessitate firmware validation. Direct package equivalents (such as DS3231S#) eliminate redesign requirements.

Q: What is the significance of "Not For New Designs" product status?

A: Parts classified as "Not For New Designs" are suitable for legacy production support and replacement applications only. For new product development, selection should prioritize parts with Active status to ensure long-term availability and manufacturer support.

Q: Does the DS3231S support 24-hour time format only?

A: No. The DS3231S supports both 12-hour and 24-hour time formats. When selecting substitutes, verify that the alternative part supports the required time format. M41T00SM6F supports 24-hour format only and requires firmware modification if 12-hour operation is required.

Q: What is the impact of operating temperature range differences?

A: The DS3231S operates from 0°C to 70°C. Substitute parts with extended ranges (-40°C to 85°C) provide broader environmental capability and are fully compatible. Substitutes with reduced ranges are not recommended unless the application environment is confirmed to remain within specified limits.

Q: How does timekeeping current consumption affect substitute selection?

A: Timekeeping current consumption ranges from 0.65µA (ISL12058IBZ) to 170µA (DS3231S) depending on supply voltage and part selection. Battery-powered applications should prioritize parts with lower consumption specifications. Mains-powered applications are less sensitive to this parameter.

Q: Are all substitute parts ROHS3 compliant?

A: Yes. All substitute parts listed carry ROHS3 compliance certification, meeting environmental and regulatory requirements equivalent to the DS3231S.

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