The Microchip BC635PCIe is a PCI Express Time and Frequency Processor that delivers high-precision timing and synchronization to host computers and peripheral data acquisition systems. It acquires time from industry-standard time code signals, disciplines an internal 10 MHz oscillator (TCXO or optional OCXO), and provides zero-latency time reads across the PCIe bus with 100-nanosecond resolution. The card generates programmable frequency outputs, captures external events with nanosecond precision, and supports multiple time code formats including IRIG A/B/G/E, IEEE 1344, NASA 36, XR3, and 2137 in both AM and DCLS modulation modes.
Technical Specifications
• Time Acquisition & Resolution: 100-nanosecond clock resolution; current time accessible across PCIe with zero wait states
• Disciplined Oscillator: Onboard 10 MHz TCXO or optional OCXO for enhanced holdover performance
• Frequency Synthesis: Direct Digital Synthesizer generates rates from 0.0000001 PPS to 100 MPPS with rate adjustment resolution to 1/32 hertz
• Clock Outputs: Precision 1 MHz, 5 MHz, or 10 MHz outputs from steered internal oscillator
• Time Code Support: Reads and generates IRIG A, B, G, E; IEEE 1344; NASA 36; XR3; 2137 in AM and DCLS formats
• Event Capture: Three registers for capturing precise time of external events
• Interrupts: Programmable PCI bus interrupts at configurable rates; time-compare strobe capability
• Host Interface: Single-lane PCI Express (r1.0a) with automatic 3.3 V and 5.0 V support
– Key Features
• Zero-latency access to time data spanning days to 100 ns
• Direct frequency output at standard clock rates
• Multiple external event registers for precise synchronization
• Flexible time code input/output in standard and proprietary formats
• Programmable interrupt generation for application synchronization
– Typical Applications
Telecommunications infrastructure, financial transaction timestamping, data center synchronization, scientific research, and systems requiring sub-microsecond time accuracy with continuous holdover capability.
– Compatibility & Integration
The card integrates via single-lane PCIe (r1.0a) and automatically supports both 3.3 V and 5.0 V PCI signaling.
