How to enable and use RTC0, RTC1, and RTC2 -- nRF52832

[Sami]

I am currently using nRF52832 with SDK v11.0.0 and S132 v2.0.0. I'd like to enable either RTC2 or RTC0 as a dedicated counter for the keeping track of time (LFCLK). RTC1 is already designated for general purpose timings on LFCLK with prescaler => 0. Is it possible to have all three instances of RTC0/1/2 enabled for time keeping, each with it's own unique respective prescaler value? As mentioned before, I'd like a fully dedicated instance of RTC for keeping track of time where the prescaler value if maxed out at 4095.

[FormerMember]

When using the softdevice, RTC0 is blocked blocked by the softdevice, see this chapter in the softdevice specification. So your application is free to use RTC 1 and RTC 2. It should be possible to have three different instances of the RTC running.

For how to use and declare an instance of the RTC, you can have a look at the rtc example in the SDK.

[Sami]

Thank you for your response Kristin. Unfortunately, I cannot find an example of how RTC2 is enabled within the SDK. Can you send a link my way ?

[FormerMember]

const nrf_drv_rtc_t rtc = NRF_DRV_RTC_INSTANCE(2); /**< Declaring an instance of nrf_drv_rtc for RTC2. */

[Sami]

Thank you Kristin. Is it recommended to simply use the Timer Library (based off of RTC1) to spawn as many timers as necessary? Are their advantages to using RTC2 and RTC1 simultaneously? Seems as though RTC2 running alongside RTC1 will increase power consumption.

[FormerMember]

According to the product specification, the current consumption should only marginally increase when using multiple instances of the RTC..

With multiple instances of the RTC, different prescaler values used. To do so, you will have to use the RTC driver. If it is not necessary with different prescaler values, you can use app_timer. In that case, which timer you want to use depends on which one that is the best fit, API wise for example, for your application.

[Sami]

I'm currently using app_timer as my Real-time clock. However, when the processor goes into sleep mode, won't RTC1 will stop ticking away, thereby haulting my real-time clock? I must ensure that I have an RTC (either RTC1 or RTC2) that never stops ticking, even when the chip sleeps. Is there a register setting in the nRF52832 that I can activate that will by-pass reseting RTC1? Please advise...