RS-DATACLOCK

Radio-Controlled Clock with RS-232 Interface, for Computers

Accurate Time for Computers, Radio-Controlled by DCF, MSF, France Inter or GPS

Technical Data

Radio-controlled clock with RS-232 output (options : RS-485, RS-422, TTY current-loop). Provides accurate time information for computers.

Time signals receiver :
RS-DATACLOCK is delivered with a separate high-performance time signals receiver (antenna). The long wave receiver (DCF, MSF or FI) is connected to RS-DATACLOCK over a regular 2-wire cable with robust 20 mA current-loop signal transmission, except the GPS which is connected with a 3-wire cable.
The following receivers are available : DCF, 77.5 kHz, Mainflingen, Germany;
MSF, 60 kHz, Rugby, Great Britain; France Inter, 162 kHz, TDF, Allouis;
GPS Time System (satellite receiver).

Power supply :
230 V/50 Hz. Options: 110V, 12 or 24VDC. Fuse 100 mA. Power-ON indication (LED).

Format of time data :
Time telegram with ASCII characters; format to be selected among a choice of commonly used formats.
Custom formats also available.

Modes of operation :
Repetitive mode : the time information is sent out automatically every second, minute or hour.
Request mode : the time information is sent out on request (from the computer or terminal).
RS-485,RS-422 or TTY : the request mode is available as an option. Please check with us.

Transmission rate :
May be selected between 75 and 9600 Baud.

Time :
The time information corresponds to local time. Options : UTC, or others.

Precision :
The beginning of the time messages has a precision in the order of 20 ms with respect to official time, when time signal reception is good. GPS : precision 1 ms when reception is good.

Connections :
connection to the long wave time signals receiver by regular 2-wire cable, max 200 m.
RS-232/RS-485 : female connector, sub-D, 9-Pin. Power cord with plug.

Casing :
Circuit in Europe format, in plastic case, 20 x 11 x 5 cm.

Weight :
750 g.

Technical description

RS-DATACLOCK decodes the time signal coming from the receiver and sends an accurate time message to the computer, in RS-232 or RS-485 ASCII Format. Several different formats are available. The time messages are sent either automatically or on request.

The various operating modes of RS-DATACLOCK are selected by 8 DIL switches mounted on the circuit board. The "OFF" position on the DIL-switch corresponds to a logical "0".

Operating modes :
The operating mode is defined by switches 4 and 5 :

4		5		Operating Mode
0		0		One time message output every second (repetitive)
0		1		One time message output every minute (repetitive)
1		0		One time message output every hour (repetitive)
1		1		Time message on request (RS-232 only. Optional with RS-485, RS-422 or TTY)

If one of the three repetitive modes (above) is selected, the output format (only from I to P) is selected by switches 6, 7 and 8 :

6		7		8		Format (see table)
0		0		0		I
0		0		1		J
0		1		0		K
0		1		1		L
1		0		0		M
1		0		1		N
1		1		0		O
1		1		1		P

Request Mode :
The output format (A to P) is selected by the request character.
NOTE : In case of RS-485, RS-422 or TTY, the request mode is only available as an option. Please check with us.

Request character		Format
A		SET TIME=DD-MMM-YYYY:HH:MM:SS MMM in english e.g.: SET TIME=11-MAR-1993:14:57:42
D		SET TIME=DD-MMM-YYYY MMM in english e.g.: SET TIME=11-MAR-1993
H		SET TIME=HH:MM:SS e.g.: SET TIME=08:09:42
I		HHMMSS e.g.: 080942
J		YYMMDDHHMMSSJ e.g.: 9303110809424
K		HH : MM : SS e.g.: 08 : 09 : 42
L		YY MM DD HH MM SS J J : Monday=1 e.g.: 93 03 11 08 09 42 4
M		JJJ DD MMM YYYY JJJ in french e.g.: JEU 11 MAR 1993
N		<STX>D:18.11.90;T:5;U:10.48.08; <ETX> (SINEC)
O		<STX>HH:MM DD.mm.YY0<ETX><BCC> (Siemens)
P		to be used only with a CRT terminal
...		Other formats : Please ask us !

Notes :

• For any other request character, the response is a question mark (?).
• All formats except N are terminated by a CR and a LF.
• A request character triggers one single time message.
• A request character followed by a zero (e.g. A0) triggers a time reading every second. This is not a real repetitive mode, since it will be cancelled by a power failure.
• All time messages start at the beginning of a second, and the reading corresponds to that second.
• If a request occurs more than 300 ms before a second, the time message is issued at the beginning of the next second. If the request occurs less than 300 ms before a second, the time message will come one second later.
• If the radio signal fails temporarily, RS-DATACLOCK continues operating on its own quartz.
• At start up, the time starts counting from 00:00:00, day 00-00-00, until the radio time is read in.

Connector :
RS-232: Processor/Terminal switch (located next to the connector)
Pos. 2 = Terminal (standard)
Pos. 1 = Processor (IN-OUT ports interchanged)

	internal connections are shown

Transmission Format :

The ASCII character consists of one start-bit, 7 data-bits, 1 additional bit and 1 stop-bit. There is no parity check. Exceptions : N-Format : startbit, 8 bits, 2 stop-bits, no parity. O-format : 1 start-bit, 7 data-bits, 1 parity-bit (even), 1 stop-bit.



Baud Rate :

The baud rate is selected by switches 1, 2 and 3 :

1		2		3
0		0		0		75
0		0		1		150
0		1		0		300
0		1		1		600
1		0		0		1200
1		0		1		2400
1		1		0		4800
1		1		1		9600

Starting instructions :

• Open the RS-DATACLOCK case
• Select the baud rate (switches 1, 2 and 3)
• Select operating mode (switches 4 and 5)
• Select message format (switches 6, 7 and 8), only if repetitive operating mode
• Set terminal/processor switch (next to RS-232 connector)
• Close the case
• Connect the time signal (DCF, MSF, FI or GPS receiver)
• Connect the computer system (RS-232)
• Connect the mains

Subject to modifications