TCR170PEX: IRIG Time Code Receiver and Generator for Computers (PCI Express)

Key Features

Generation of IRIG-B or AFNOR time codes
2 time-trigger-inputs
PCI Express Interface
Plug and play
Programmable Pulse Outputs
Memory Mapped I/O time reads for high access rates
2 RS-232 interfaces
Status LEDs
Reception of time code formats IRIG A/B or AFNOR
Configurable time zone
Driver software for all popular operating systems
Optional optical input and/or output for time codes
DDS frequency synthesizer

Product Description

The board TCR170PEX has been designed to receive and to generate IRIG and AFNOR time codes.

It is used in applications like data acquisition, standalone computer time synchronization (for systems without a network connection or higher accuracy requirements) or as an IRIG converter device.

Receiver: the module provides two input channels for decoding of modulated and unmodulated time codes in IRIG-A/B or AFNOR format. The receiver's automatic gain control (AGC) allows the reception of modulated IRIG signals within an amplitude range from 600 mVpp to 8 Vpp. In addition, the TCR170PEX provides an optocoupler input for decoding unmodulated codes with TTL- or RS-422 level for example. The board can be delivered with an optical input for unmodulated codes optionally.
The decoded date and time can be read via the PCI Express interface and is also transmitted via the board's RS-232 port. A buffered real time clock keeps time and date after power down.

Generator: the board TCR170PEX can generate time codes in IRIG-B or AFNOR format. These signals are provided as modulated (3 Vpp/1 Vpp into 50 ohm) and unmodulated (TTL into 50 ohm and RS-422) time codes. An optical output for unmodulated codes is available on request.

The independent configuration of the time code and its offset to UTC of the receiver and the generator allows the use of TCR170PEX for time code conversion applications.

The Windows driver package includes a time synchronization service which runs in the background and adjusts the Windows system time continuously and invisibly. This package also includes a monitor program to enable the user to check the status of the device and time adjustment service. If the monitor program is run with administrator rights, it can also be used to modify configurable parameters.

The Linux and FreeBSD driver packages include a kernel driver which allows the product to be used as a reference time source for the NTP daemon included in most Unix-like operating systems. This also allows the computer to be used as an NTP time server to provide accurate time to NTP clients on the network. Some command line tools can be used to modify configurable parameters and monitor the status of the clock in use.

Please contact Meinberg's Support Team for more information on using the card with other operating systems: techsupport@meinberg.de.

The device's serial port is not required for operation but can be used to update the card's firmware, or to provide another computer with the current time via a serial time string.

If you are going to use the TCR170PEX in your own applications, please download our software development kit which contains libraries and sample code and shows how to access the card from within your software.

All drivers and API sample source code can be downloaded free of charges from our website and we are happy to assist you if you face any difficulties in using the Meinberg driver API in your software development process.

Characteristics

Status Indicators	2 status LEDs for indication of: detection of a correct code, synchronisation of the internal timing and holdover mode
Input signal	Modulated IRIG A/B, IEEE1344 or AFNOR signal, input insulated by transformer, input impedance 50 ohm, 600 ohm or 5 kohm selectable by jumper unmodulated (DC level shift) IRIG A/B, IEEE1344 or AFNOR signal, input insulated by photocoupler
Accuracy free run	±1·10E-8 if the decoder was synchronous for at least 1 h
IRIG Time Code Input	IRIG - A132/A133, A002/A003, B122/B123, B002/B003, B126/B127, B006/B007, IEEE 1344, AFNOR NFS 87-500 and C37.118 (other codes on request)
Frequency Outputs	Frequency synthesizer 1/8 Hz up to 10 MHz (TTL, sine 1,5Vrms)
Pulse Outputs	Three programmable pulse outputs, TTL level Channel 0 also with RS232 level
Precision of timebase	±5 µsec referred to IRIG-reference marker
Interface	Two independant serial RS232 interfaces
Serial Time String Output	Baudrate: 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400 baud Framing: 7E2, 8N1, 8E1, 8N2 Output string: 32 ASCII characters with date, time and status information
Statusbyte	Information about holdover mode, synchronisation since last reset and the validity of the RTC data.
Supported Timecode Formats	IRIG B002: 100pps, DCLS signal, no carrier, BCD time-of-year IRIG B122: 100pps, AM sine wave signal, 1 kHz carrier, BCD time-of-year IRIG B003: 100pps, DCLS signal, no carrier, BCD time-of-year, SBS time-of-day IRIG B123: 100pps, AM sine wave signal, 1kHz carrier, BCD time-of-year, SBS time-of-day IRIG B006: 100 pps, DCLS Signal, no carrier, BCD time-of-year, year IRIG B126: 100 pps, AM sine wave signal, 1 kHz carrier frequency, BCD time-of-year, Year IRIG B007: 100 pps, DCLS Signal, no carrier, BCD time-of-year, year, SBS time-of-day IRIG B127: 100 pps, AM sine wave signal, 1 kHz carrier frequency, BCD time-of-year, year, SBS time-of-day IEEE1344: Code according to IEEE1344-1995, 100pps, AM sine-wave signal, 1kHz carrier, BCD time-of-year, SBS time-of-day, IEEE1344 expansion for date, time zone, daylight saving and leap second in Control Functions segment C37.118: Like IEEE1344 - with inverted sign bit for UTC offset AFNOR: Code according to NFS-87500, 100pps, AM sine-wave signal, 1kHz carrier, BCD time-of-year, complete date, SBS time-of-day
Output signal	Modulated IRIG-B or AFNOR signal, 3 Vpp (high) and 1 Vpp (low) into 50 ohm unmodulated (DC Level Shift) IRIG-B or AFNOR signal, TTL into 50 ohm and RS-422, active high or active low selectable by jumper
Time-Trigger inputs	Triggered by falling TTL slope Time of trigger event readable via computer slot or optional second RS232-interface
Electrical Connectors	Female BNC-connectors male 9-pole D-Sub connector
Computer interface	Single lane (x1) PCI Express (PCIe) Interface PCI Express r1.0a compatible
Backup Battery Type	When main power supply fails, hardware clock runs free on quartz basis, life time of lithium battery min. 10 years
Board type	Standard height board (101 x 150 mm)
Supported Temperature	Operational: 0 - 50 °C (32 - 122 °F) Storage: -20 - 70 °C (-4 - 158 °F)
Supported Humidity	Max. 85 % (non-condensing) at 40 °C
Warranty	Three-year warranty
Options	- Optical input and/or output for time codes, ST connector for GI 50/125µm or GI 62,5/125µm gradient fibre - OCXO LQ/MQ/HQ (specifications look at oscillator options) for higher accuracy in holdover mode
RoHS Status of Product	This product is fully RoHS-compliant.
WEEE Status of Product	This product is handled as a B2B (Business to Business) category product. To ensure that the product is disposed of in a WEEE-compliant fashion, it can be returned to the manufacturer. Any transportation expenses for returning this product (at end-of-life) must be covered by the end user, while Meinberg will bear the costs for the waste disposal itself.