TEK-TCG 01-G-Manual-v6-052021
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P4: Serial Port and Programmable Output (DB9 Connector)
The TCG 01-G is normally shipped with a DCE configuration on P4, so
that a “straight-wired” socket-to-socket 9-way data cable can be used
to connect it directly to a standard PC serial port.
As the serial outputs are usually precisely timed messages, there is no
provision for either hardware or software flow control.
Do NOT over-tighten the securing screws of the connector!
The following signals are present on P4 (DCE configuration only):
Pin 1: RS232 level (-9V to +9V) programmable output.
Pin 2: RS232 level serial string.
Pin 5: RS232 signal ground.
Pin 4 and Pin 6: RS422 level (-5V to +5V) differential programmable output (same
content as Pin 1).
Pin 8 and Pin 9: RS422 level serial string (same content as Pin 2).
The RS232/RS422 signal lines are not isolated from each other, but the port as a whole has an
isolation rating of 2.5 kV from all other ports.
Any P4 pins that are not being used may be left unconnected.
P4 Serial Strings
The serial port can be configured to output any one of a number of different serial time
messages on a broadcast basis. The serial port runs at a user configurable data rate between
1200 and 38400 bps (available rates are 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200 and 38400 bps). The
default message format operates at 9600 baud, 8-bit with no parity, no flow control and 1 stop
bit. Most messages are transmitted once per second.
A wide range of message strings and protocols can be output on this port. They include:
NGTS protocol (transmits once per minute)
IRIG J-17 (IRIG Standard 212 Format J-1x)
Eight pre-set messages, Tekron Strings A – H for compatibility with most IEDs.
NMEA ZDA and RMC messages
GNSS binary/raw messages, these are subject to change without notice.
See Appendix (SERIAL OUTPUT STRINGS) for details on each of the message string formats.
A common application for the programmable output on P4 pin 1 (RS232 level) is to provide an
independent drive to an RS232-Fiber converter unit for use in transporting time code/pulse
signals to a distant location. In such cases, pin 1 should be “broken out” of the 9-way cable
optionally used to connect to an external PC, and used in conjunction with pin 5 (signal return).