Meinberg PZF600 - Manual (Page 7)

7
Features PZF600
The PZF600 is a high precision receive module for the DCF77-signal build in eurocard
size (100mm x 160mm). The 61mm wide front panel contains an eight digit alphanume-
ric display, three LEDs and two keys as control actuators.
The microcontroller of the system correlates its receiver-PZF with the incoming
pseudorandom sequence and decodes the time information of the DCF-telegram simulta-
neously. The controller handles input and output functions of the PZF600 and synchro-
nizes the internal realtime clock.
By evaluating the pseudorandom phase noise, the PZF600 is able to generate time
frames with thousand times the accuracy of standard AM-time code receiver. The precise
regulation of the main oscillator of the radio clock is possible therefore. So, the PZF600
can be used as a standard frequency generator besides the application as a time code
receiver. Four fixed and one settable TTL-level standard frequencies are available at the
rear VG-connector. The synthesizer frequency exists as an open drain output and a
sinewave signal also.
Compared to the former PZF511 the new PZF600 provides the capability to evaluate
the high-precision pseudorandom phase noise as well as the common amplitude
modulated AM signal. If the PZF signal is disturbed an cannot be received, the PZF600
automatically switches over to decode the AM signal, if available, and ensures
synchronisation.
The PZF600 generates an IRIG timecode that is available at the rear VG-connector
both as a modulated AM and as an unmodulated DCoutput. Furthermore, the receiver
provides active-low and active-high TTL pulses per minute and per second. To spread
time, date and status information, four independent serial interfaces (RS232 COM ports)
are used which are configurable in a setup menu.
The PZF600 includes a battery-backed realtime clock which runs crystal-precise if the
main power supply fails. Important system parameters are stored in a battery-backed
RAM or non-volatile (EEPROM) memory.
If an update of system software becomes necessary, the new firmware can be loaded
via serial interface (COM0) without removing the PZF600 from its application (field
programmable).