The Meinberg TCR511PCI is a PCI/PCI-X bus time code receiver card that synchronizes a host computer’s system clock to external IRIG time code sources. It decodes modulated (AM) and unmodulated (DC Level Shift) IRIG A, B, or AFNOR time codes, delivering stable and accurate timing for data acquisition, scientific research, and industrial control applications.
Technical Specifications
Bus Interface
• PCI LOCAL BUS, PCI-X compatible
• 3.3 V or 5 V slot support
• 33 MHz and 66 MHz clock speeds
• Standard height bracket form factor
Time Code Reception
• IRIG A, B, or AFNOR formats
• Modulated (AM) and unmodulated (DC Level Shift) decoding
• Automatic Gain Control for modulated signals: 600 mVpp to 8 Vpp amplitude range
• Optional optocoupler input for TTL or RS485 unmodulated code levels
Connectors and Outputs
• 50 Ω BNC connector for modulated time codes
• D-Sub connector for RS-232 serial interface, 1 PPS, 1 PPM outputs, and unmodulated IRIG input
• Pulse Per Second (1 PPS) output
• Pulse Per Minute (1 PPM) output
Clock and Real-Time
• Buffered Real-Time Clock (RTC) with power-down retention
• Configurable time zone support
Input Stage
• Electrically insulated input stage
• Modulated code input impedance: 50 Ω
– Key Features
• Status LEDs for device monitoring
• RS-232 port for decoded date/time transmission and firmware updates
• Onboard RTC maintains time and date across power cycles
• Serial time string output capability
– Software and Integration
Driver software supports Windows, Linux, and FreeBSD. The Windows driver includes a time adjustment service and monitor program for status checking and parameter configuration. Linux and FreeBSD drivers function as kernel-based NTP reference time sources, enabling NTP server deployment. Command-line tools and the Meinberg API provide programmatic access to timing data and device status for custom applications.
– Typical Applications
Data acquisition systems, scientific instrumentation, industrial timing synchronization, and network timing infrastructure requiring IRIG time code integration.
