The DS3231 real-time clock module features a low-cost, highly accurate RTC chip, the DS3231. It also has a 2-wire I2C interface, which allows it to interface with any microcontroller.

This chip holds the information of seconds, minutes, hours, days, dates, months, and years. Also useful is that the date of the end of the month is automatically adjusted for months with less than 31 days, including leap year corrections (valid for up to 2100 days).

Most RTC modules have a built-in 32kHz crystal for timekeeping. However, the external temperature of the quartz crystal can affect its oscillation frequency. The change in this frequency is negligible, but it certainly adds up.

To avoid these slight changes in the crystal, the DS3231 is driven by a 32kHz temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO). As a result, it is very susceptible to external temperature changes.

A temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) provides a stable and accurate reference time, keeping the RTC accurate to within 2 minutes per year.

The DS1307 also has a built-in 32kHz temperature-compensated crystal oscillator for timekeeping, but its oscillation frequency is susceptible to external temperatures. The clock may be off by about 5 minutes per month. For projects that require more accurate time management, the DS3231 is a great choice.

Package Included:

1xELEGOO DS1307 Module V03