Meinberg PZF180PEX, DCF77 clock for PC
Key Features
- PCI Express Interface
- 2 time trigger inputs
- Programmable Pulse Outputs
- Frequency Synthesizer and Time Code Mode
- Memory Mapped I/O time reads for high access rates
- RS232 interface
- IRIG-B/AFNOR time code outputs
- Plug and Play
- DCF77-simulation
- DCF77 Antenna (cable length up to 300m)
- Driver software for all popular operating systems
Description
This PCI Express slot card is the best choice for adding a highly accurate time base to your servers or workstations. It can be used as a reference time source for NTP and transforms any machine into an NTP server without consuming additional physical space in your server room.
The PZF180PEX comes with a truckload of features to enable software developers to overcome the timing limitations of COTS operating systems like Linux or Windows. The powerful and highly functional Meinberg API (Application Programming Interface) delivers an easy to use and portable way of accessing all Meinberg bus level timing devices, including ISA, PCI, PCI-X, PCI Express and USB time synchronization products.
Legacy interfaces like IRIG, 1PPS or serial time strings can be used to connect other equipment to the PCIe slot card and transfer the time base over dedicated cable connections to systems which cannot be synchronized via NTP or other network protocols.
The new Memory Mapped Access feature offers a fast, simple and efficient way of reading the current time with high precision.
The drivers package for Windows contains a time adjustment service which runs in the background and adjusts the Windows system time continuously and smoothly. A monitor program is also included which lets the user check the status of the device and the time adjustment service, and can be used to modify configurable parameters, if run with administrator rights.
The driver packages for Linux and FreeBSD contain a kernel driver which allows the board to be used as a reference time source for the NTP daemon which is shipped with most Unix-like operating systems. This also turns the computer into an NTP time server which can also provide accurate time to NTP clients on the network. Some command line tools can be used to setup configurable parameters and monitor the status of the board.
The device's serial port is not required for operation but can be used to update the card's firmware, or provide another computer with the current time via a serial time string.
Characteristics
Type of receiver
Quadrature receiver for optimized evaluation of the DCF signals (amplitude and phase modulation)
Type of antenna
DCF77 outdoor antenna AW02
Status info
The Field-LED is switched on if a DCF-signal with at least minimum field strength needed for the correlation receiption is detected at the input of the receiver. Whenever the reception of the pseudorandom PZF signal is not possible but the AM signal is available, the 'Field'-LED starts to blink once per second with a pulse duration of 100 or 200ms, corresponding to the demodulated DCF pulses.
Synchronization
Compared to the former PZF computer clock the PZF180PEX not just provides the capability to evaluate the common amplitude modulated AM signal it is also able to decode the high-precision pseudorandom phase noise. If the PZF signal is disturbed an cannot be received, the PZF180PEX automatically switches over to decode the AM signal, if available, and ensures synchronization.
Frequency outputs
Frequency output 10 MHz, TTL level
Pulse outputs
3 Programmable TTL outputs, per default configured as:
Channel 0: Pulse per second (TTL, RS232 level), pulse duration: 200 msec
Channel 1: Pulse per minute (TTL), pulse duration: 200 msec
Channel 2: DCF77 compatible pulses (TTL level), pulse width: 100/200 msec
Accuracy of pulse outputs
Better than +/- 50µsec after synchronization and 20 minutes of operation.
Interface
Single serial RS232 interface
Data format of interfaces
Baudrate: 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200 Baud
Data format: 7N2, 7E1, 7E2, 8E1, 8N1, 8N2
Time telegram: Meinberg Standard-Telegram, SAT, Uni Erlangen (NTP), SPA, NMEA0183 (RMC) or capture-telegramm
Unmodulated time code output
DCLS, TTL into 50 ohm (active high or active low)
Modulated time code output
IRIG AM sine wave signal:
3Vpp (MARK), 1Vpp (SPACE) into 50 ohm
Generated time codes
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 Funktions Segment
C37.118: Like IEEE1344 - with turned 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
Time-Trigger inputs
Resolution: 100 nsec, triggered by falling TTL slope
Time of trigger event readable via computer slot or optional second RS232-interface
Electrical connectors
BNC female connector for antenna
BNC female connector for modulated timecode
9 pin sub D male connector
Computer interface
Single lane (x1) PCI Express (PCIe) Interface
PCI Express r1.0a compatible
Backup battery type
In case of supply voltage failure the on-board RTC keeps the time based on XTAL for more than 150 hours (buffer capacitor)
Optional: lithium backup battery (life time: 10 years)
Board type
Low Profile card (68,90 x 150 mm)
Ambient temperature
0 ... 50°C / 32 ... 122°F
Humidity
Max. 85%
Scope of supply Scope of supply includes:
- an active ferrite antenna AI01 and 5m of RG174 coaxial cable with BNC connectors.
Optional: AW02 with RG58 and patch cord, other length of cable
- "low profile" bracket
Warranty
Three-Year Warranty
Options
Oscillator upgrade: OCXO-LQ, -MQ or -HQ (instead of TCXO) for extended Holdover capabilities
RoHS-Status of the product
This product is fully RoHS compliant