GPS170PEX:
high accurate time base to your servers or workstations

The GPS170PEX card from Meinberg has been designed to add ultra precise timestamping capabilities to your data aquisition and measurement applications.
This Product is replaced by GPS180PEX - Low Profile Clock (PCI Express)

Key Features:

  • PCI Express Interface
  • 2 time trigger inputs
  • Pulses per second and per minute
  • RS232 interface
  • IRIG-B/AFNOR time code outputs
  • Plug and Play
  • DCF77-simulation
  • Antenna connected with up to 300m of standard coaxial cable RG58
  • Configurable time scale (UTC/local, GPS time, TAI)
  • Including GPS antenna, 20m standard cable and printed manual

This PCI Express slot card is the best choice for adding a highly accurate time base to your servers or workstations. It can be used as a stratum 0 reference timesource for NTP and transforms any machine into a Stratum 1 NTP server without consuming additional physical space in your server room.

The satellite controlled clock GPS170PEX is designed as a standard height board for computers with PCI Express interface. The data transfer to the computer is done by using a single PCI Express Lane (x1 board). The rear slot cover integrates the antenna connector, the modulated timecode, two status LEDs, and a 9 pin SUB-D male connector. Monitoring software shipped with the board can be used to check the clock's status and configure some operational parameters.

GPS170PEX Bracket

The coaxial antenna connector, two status LEDs and a 9 pin sub D connector can be found in the rear slot cover. (see figure). The upper, green LED (LOCK) is turned on when after power-up the receiver has acquired at least four satellites and has computed its position. In normal operation the receiver position is updated continuously as long as at least four satellites can be received.

The lower, red LED (FAIL) is turned on after power-up until the receiver has synchronized or if a severe error occurs during operation.

The 9 pin sub D connector is wired to the GPS170PEX's serial port COM0. Pin assignment can be seen from the figure beside. This port can not be used as serial port for the computer. Instead, it can be uses to send out Meinberg's standard time string to an external device.