System and method for secure real time clocks

Abstract

A secure real time clock (RTC) system is provided, comprising a secure RTC, a frequency signal generator, and a frequency adjuster connected between the secure RTC and the frequency signal generator to receive a signal having a first frequency from the frequency signal generator. On receipt of a first control signal the frequency adjuster outputs the signal having the first frequency to the secure RTC, and on receipt of a second control signal the frequency adjuster adjusts the signal having the first frequency to generate a signal having a second frequency, the second frequency being lower than the first frequency, and outputs the signal having the second frequency to the secure RTC. A clock line transmits the signal having the first frequency and the signal having the second frequency from the frequency adjuster to the secure RTC, and has a first power consumption when transmitting the signal having the first frequency and a second power consumption when transmitting the signal having the second frequency, the first power consumption being greater than the second power consumption.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.