AMC006

A MicroTCA clock and GPS board is an AMC plug-in module that provides precise timing, synchronization, and location/time reference to a MicroTCA system.

It typically includes:

• A GPS/GNSS receiver
• A precise local oscillator, such as an OCXO
• Clock-generation and distribution circuits
• Timing inputs and outputs such as 1 PPS, 10 MHz, trigger, or event signals
• Interfaces to distribute timing through the MicroTCA backplane
• Sometimes support for IEEE 1588 PTP, SyncE, IRIG-B, or White Rabbit

A GPS board receives satellite signals through an external antenna. It then generates an accurate time reference and synchronized clocks for FPGA, RFSoC, ADC, DAC, and processor modules.

Common uses include:

• Synchronizing multiple data-acquisition channels
• Timestamping measurements and events
• Aligning ADC and DAC sampling clocks
• Coordinating several MicroTCA chassis
• Radar, telecommunications, scientific instruments, and accelerator-control systems

Description:

AMC006 provides a complete, feature-rich, GPS/PTP (1588)/IRIG/NTP bus-level timing solution to a MTCA/ATCA system, with exceptional flexibility.

The onboard GPS receiver, or 1PPS, or Inter-Range Instrumentation Group (IRIG) input, is used to discipline the local oscillator and cancel out any oscillator drift or aging. Precision UTC timestamps and GPS location/time/status are all made available via PCIe registers to the host CPU/application. Time trigger output and time event interrupts synchronized to GPS UTC are available under host control. GPS location/time/status data is Broadcast/Unicast output via backplane Ethernet with selectable bonding/failover behavior.

The board can demodulate IRIG Amplitude Modulated (AM) signals and receive/transmit IRIG DC Level Shift (DCLS) signals. The disciplined clock, 1PPS, divided-down clocks, IRIG DCLS, and time trigger may be output in any combination to the TCLKA/TCLKB/TCLKC/TCLKD backplane channels. It also acts as a Grand-Master Clock/Clock Bridge between GPS/PTP (1588)/IRIG/NTP to provide enhanced flexibility to your system design. The board also supports Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE) to eliminate clock drift at the Ethernet PHY level.

A back-up battery or SuperCap provides non-volatile storage of the Almanac, Ephemeris, and last position data to enable rapid “warm start” re-acquisition, usually within 35 seconds.

The module’s console is available via front serial or SSH via Ethernet. Locking/holdover status is also available via IPMI sensors. A secondary serial port enables GPS NMEA data in/out.

Key Features:

• GPS/PTP (1588)/IRIG/NTP Grand Master Clock
• Synchronous Ethernet
• Three arbitrary frequency disciplined clocks
• IRIG AM decoder input/IRIG DCLS input/output
• AMC.1 Dual PCIe Gen2 x4 or AMC.2 Dual 10GbE
• AMC.2 Dual 1000Base-X (one can mux to front RJ-45)
• 100ns precision UTC timestamps, system status and GPS positions via PCIe
• TSIP data Broadcast/Multicast/Unicast via Ethernet w/ bonding/failover
• Battery or SuperCap Almanac/Ephemeris/Last position back-up
• 1PPS PCIe interrupt, time events, time trigger for overall system/software synchronization
• Holds over clocks/1PPS using OCXO
• GPS NMEA serial port

AMC006 Datasheet