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

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 RS232 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

Overview

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.