TELECODE

Radio-Controlled Time Source for Technical Systems, Digital Clocks, Master Clocks, Data Loggers, etc.
Provides a validated DCF Time Code. Radio-Controlled by GPS, DCF, MSF or France Inter.

Signal Converter:
Converts GPS, MSF or France Inter into DCF.

Also available as NMEA to DCF Converter
($GPRMC Message of NMEA 0183 V.2 on 4800Bd)









Option Minute Pulses
Option Power Input 7-30 Volts DC
Ground
Time code (open collector, opto-coupler resp. current loop)



Technical Data

Radio-Controlled Time Reference with DCF Time Code Generator. Includes Quartz Time Base for Back Up.

DCF Code Output:
Format: DCF Time Code Output, 1 Bit/Second.
Electronic Form: Open Collector with Opto-Coupler (max. 30 V, ideal 10mA, max 50 mA).

Antenna :
Built-In Antenna. Galvanic Separation in case DCF, MSF.

Available for the Following Transmitters:
DCF, 77.5 kHz, Mainflingen, Germany;
MSF, 60 kHz, Rugby, Great Britain; France Inter, 162 kHz, TDF, Allouis;
GPS Global Positioning System (Satellites).

Signal Evaluation:
Radio Signal Evaluation by Stochastic Method. Reliable and Accurate Time Decoding, even from Partially Disturbed Radio Signal.

Power Supply:
GPS and France Inter: 12-24 Volts DC, External. Requirement: France Inter: 20 mA. GPS: 60 mA.
DCF, MSF: Built-In Lithium Battery for Galvanic Separation of the Antenna. Duration 10 years.

Precision:
GPS: 10 ms. Other signals: 10 ms during good radio signal reception.

Time Zone:
Standard: The code indicates the official time of the transmitter.
GPS: Greenwich Mean Time GMT (UTC).
Options: Other time zones and rules for Summer/Winter time changes may be selected using bridges, from a selection of available choices (for example "Europe", "USA", etc.).

Operating temperatures :
-25 ... +70 degrees centigrade.

Display :
LED for Checking Radio Reception.

Connections :
Connection using regular cable (2- or 3-wire). Cable length is not critical (Up to hundreds of Meters).
Connection by Lever Terminals Inside the Casing, or directly soldered cables.

Casing :
GPS: Weatherproof, IP65, 120x80x55 mm.
DCF, HBF, MSF: Weatherproof, IP65, 160x80x55 mm, with Turning Corner Plate for Orientation.
France Inter: Weatherproof , IP65, 120x80x55 mm, with Turning Corner Plate for Orientation.
France Inter Economic Casing: IP50, 120x80x40 mm.

Weight :
300 - 500 g depending on version.



TELECODE : time code

DCF code (slow code)

The slow code is compatible with the german DCF time signal :



The time information is coded as follows :
Bits 0 - 14 : always=0, (except for France Inter: Bit 13 = upcomin gholiday, Bit 14 = holiday);
15 : quality of radio-synchronization : good =1, bad =0;
16 : upcoming time change : normally=0, before time change=1;
17 : winter=0, summer=1;
18 : winter=1, summer=0;
19 : always=0;
20 : always=1;
21-27 : minute (of next minute);
28 : combines with bits 21-27 for even parity;
29-34 : hour;
35 : combines with bits 29-34 for even parity;
36-41 : day of the month;
42-44 : day of the week (Monday=1);
45-49 : month;
50-57 : year;
58 : combines with bits 36-57 for even parity.
59 : the pulse is missing (minute identifier).

Remark : after connecting the TELECODE standard version to the external power, a non-valid time code is delivered as long as the radio time signal is not decoded reliably. In this situation, the month is equal to zero.

Fast Code :

The fast code is delivered in full every second. It has 56 bits, begins between 280 and 300 ms before the second and ends between 30 and 60 ms before the second. The achievable accuracy is thus limited to a few hundredths of a second.

Remark : For optimal signal reception, the slow code is recommended, rather than the fast code.



The fast code is asynchronous : every data bit is preceeded by a start bit and followed by a stop bit :

BIT FORMAT



The complete code consists of 7 bytes with 8 bits each. The bytes are BCD-coded, with the least significant bit sent first. The information is delivered in the following order :

seconds / minutes / hours / day-of-month / month / year / other-data.

The byte "other-data" contains the following information :
Bits 0-3 : day-of-week
Bit 4 : good radio-synchronization=1; bad radio-synchronization=0
Bit 5 : always=0
Bit 6 : winter=0, summer=1
Bit 7 : winter=1, summer=0.

Remark : after connecting the TELECODE standard to the external power, a false time code is delivered as long as the radio time signal is not decoded reliably. In this false time code, the month is equal to zero.

Minute pulses

On request, TELECODE is equipped with an extra output delivering minute marks. The duration of these positive pulses indicates the following :

Duration Meaning
1 second Minute mark during good radio synchronization
2 seconds Minute mark during bad radio synchronization
4 seconds Minute mark at the full hour
10 seconds Minute mark at 24.00 o'clock