The DS1743 is a full-function, year-2000-compliant (Y2KC), real-time clock/calendar (RTC) and 8k x 8 nonvolatile static RAM. User access to all registers within the DS1743 is accomplished with a bytewide interface as shown in Figure 1 in the full data sheet. The RTC information and control bits reside in the eight uppermost RAM locations. The RTC registers contain century, year, month, date, day, hours, minutes, and seconds data in 24-hour binary-coded decimal (BCD) format. Corrections for the day of the month and leap year are made automatically. The RTC clock registers are double buffered to avoid access of incorrect data that can occur during clock update cycles. The double-buffered system also prevents time loss as the timekeeping countdown continues unabated by access to time register data. The DS1743 also contains its own power-fail circuitry, which deselects the device when the VCC supply is in an out-of-tolerance condition. When VCC is above VPF, the device is fully accessible. When VCC is below VPF, the internal active-low CE signal is forced high, preventing any access. When VCC rises above VPF, access remains inhibited for TREC, allowing time for the system to stabilize. These features prevent loss of data from unpredictable system operation brought on by low VCC as errant access and update cycles are avoided.