TCR180PEX: PCIe time code reader and generator for computers

Features:

• Generation of IRIG-A/B, IEEE 1344, IEEE C37.118 or AFNOR NF S87-500 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, IEEE 1344, IEEE C37.118 or AFNOR NF S87-500
• Configurable time zone
• Driver software for all popular operating systems
• Optional optical input and/or output for time codes
• DDS frequency synthesizer

The TCR180PEX receives IRIG-A/B, IEEE 1344, IEEE C37.118 or AFNOR NF S87-500 time codes and can be used for synchronising the system time of its host PC. The output of this card can generate an IRIG signal for other IRIG time code readers. The output format is independent from the incoming IRIG signal - a perfect solution to your IRIG conversion requirements.

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, IEEE 1344, IEEE C37.118 or AFNOR NF S87-500 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 TCR180PEX 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 TCR180PEX can generate time codes in IRIG-A/B, IEEE 1344, IEEE C37.118 or AFNOR NF S87-500 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 TCR180PEX for time code conversion applications.

As standard the module TCR180PEX is equipped with a TCXO (Temperature Compensated Xtal Oscillator) as master oscillator to provide a high accuracy in holdover mode of +/- 1 * 10E-8. Optionally an OCXO (Oven Controlled Xtal Oscillator) is available for better accuracy (see Oscillator Options).