PAVAS Hardware Real Time Clock Option
At the commencement of a day of rally stages there is a large amount of preparation. The Real Time Clock (RTC) option simplifies this process if data logging is to be performed during the day.
The Battery Backed up Real Time Clock
This PAVAS option employs a different hardware option to provide a Real Time Clock chip with an integrated battery backup. The battery used a common 20 mm coin cell (CR-2032) and the lifetime is approximately about five years. The coin cell can be replaced easily by disassembling the PAVAS unit and removing the top display board.
The Functions
The RTC provides time values when the PAVAS unit starts up after the power has been removed. The software RTC is synchronized to this time so that the data collection times are accurate. The removes the requirement to set the time in the PAVAS unit at the start of a rally day.
The second function is to allow the Data Logging file number to be set. The the Data Logging file system is designed to log one day's worth of data. In the absence of the RTC option, this file number must be set at the start of the rally day. The RTC option can determine when a new day is starting and automatically sets the Data Logging file number. It does this by incrementing the previous day's file number. A message appears in the display to announce the new data logging file number.
Conclusion
The RTC Option simplifies rally day preparations by automatically setting the time of day for data logging and the data logging file name on power up. This fits the PAVAS design philosophy which is to operate in such ways that reduce loads on both the driver and navigator.