SARA-G450 - System integration manual 
UBX-18046432 - R08  Design-in  Page 70 of 143 
C1-Public     
2.2.2  RTC supply (V_BCKP) 
2.2.2.1  Guidelines for V_BCKP circuit design 
If RTC timing is required to run for a time interval of T [s] at +25 °C when VCC supply is removed, place 
a capacitor with a nominal capacitance of C [mF] at the V_BCKP pin. Choose the capacitor using the 
following formula: 
   C [mF] = (Current Consumption [mA] x T [s] / Voltage Drop [V] 
     = 0.37 x T [s] for SARA-G450 modules 
For  example,  to  provide  a  long  buffering  time,  a  70  mF  super-capacitor  (e.g.  Seiko  Instruments 
XH414H-IV01E) can be placed at V_BCKP, with a 4.7 kΩ series resistor. This capacitor holds V_BCKP 
voltage within its valid range for around 3 minutes at +25 °C, after the VCC supply is removed. The 
purpose of the series  resistor is to  limit  the  capacitor charging  current  due to the large  capacitor 
specifications, and also to let a fast rise time of the voltage value at the V_BCKP pin after VCC supply 
has been provided. This capacitor allows the time reference to run during battery disconnection. 
 
1:1 scaling
R1
SARA-G450
C1
(superCap)
(a)
2
V_BCKP
D2
SARA-G450
B2
(b)
2
V_BCKP
 
Figure 32: Real Time Clock supply (V_BCKP) application circuits: (a) using a 70 mF capacitor to let the RTC run for ~3 minutes 
after VCC removal; (b) using a non-rechargeable battery 
 
Part number - Manufacturer 
4.7 k resistor 0402 5% 0.1 W  
RC0402JR-074K7L - Yageo Phycomp 
XH414H-IV01E - Seiko Instruments 
Table 21: Examples of components for V_BCKP buffering 
 
If a longer buffering time is required to allow the RTC time reference to run during a disconnection of 
the VCC supply, then an external battery can be connected to V_BCKP pin. The battery should be able 
to provide a clean nominal voltage and must never exceed the maximum operating voltage for V_BCKP 
(specified in the input characteristics of the supply/power pins table in the SARA-G450 data sheet [1]). 
The  connection  of  the  battery  to  V_BCKP  should  be  done  with  a  suitable  series  resistor  for  a 
chargeable battery, or with an appropriate series diode for a non-rechargeable battery. The purpose 
of the series resistor is to limit the battery charging current due to the battery specifications, and also 
to allow a fast rise time of the voltage value at the V_BCKP pin after the VCC supply has been provided. 
The  purpose  of  the  series  diode  is  to  avoid  a  current  flow  from  the  module  V_BCKP  pin  to  the 
non-rechargeable battery. 
☞  If the RTC timing is not required when the VCC supply is removed, it is not needed to connect the 
V_BCKP pin to an external capacitor or battery. In this case the date and time are not updated 
when VCC is disconnected. If VCC is always supplied, then the internal regulator is supplied from 
the main supply and there is no need for an external component on V_BCKP.