TNT Rb RS232 capabilities

Temex Neuchâtel Time SA

Rubidium atomic clock

Rubidium RS232 capabilities.

INDEX
1. RS232 connections
1.1. Pin affectation of the various rubidium models
1.2. Pin affectation of the two RS-232 connectors on personal computers
2. Serial interface operation
2.1. Introduction
2.2. RS-232 limitations for several rubidiums models
2.3. General instructions for serial interface communication
2.4. Serial interface connection
2.5. Rb internal parameters monitoring
2.6. Centre frequency adjustment with the serial interface
2.7. Centre frequency read-back
2.8. Rubidium identification
3. RS-232 adapter circuit
4. Summary of the ASCII code weight useful for communicating with a Rb

1. RS232 CONNECTIONS
1.1. PIN AFFECTATION OF THE VARIOUS RUBIDIUM MODELS
MCFRS / HPFRS /
LPFRS RMO
LTCRO

1. Lock Monitor
2. Frequency adjust
3. GND
4(HPFRS). Lamp mon.
4(others). TxD (TTL) 1. +24V (+12V)
5. RxD (TTL) 2. 0V (GND)
6. Heating +24V 3. Lock indicator 1. Frequency output
7(LTCRO). NC 4. Vref (5V reference) 2. Vref / lock indicator
7(others). XTAL mon. 5. GND 3. Ground
8. Vref (+5V) 6. RS232 TxD, TTL 4. Frequency control input
9. Power (+24V) 7. GND 5. Power supply
10. GND 8. Frequency adjust 6. RxD (TTL) (optional pin)
A1: Frequency output 9. RS232 RxD, TTL 7. TxD (TTL) (optional pin)
Use pin10 for RS232 Standard = RS-232 present.

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TNT Rb RS232 capabilities

return
Keys: GND = Ground, TxD = Serial Transmit, RxD = Serial Receive, TTL = 0 to 5V level
Note for RMO users: if the pins 6 and 7 are physically presents, your RMO has the full RS-232 capabilities.

1.2. PIN AFFECTATION OF THE TWO RS-232 CONNECTORS ON PERSONAL

COMPUTERS
DB9 Function DB25
1 Data Carrier Detect 8
2 Receive Data 3
3 Transmit Data 2
4 Data Terminal Ready 20
5 Ground 7
6 Data Set Ready 6
7 Request To Send 4
8 Data Carrier Detect 5
9 Ring Indicator 22

The rubidium clock does not care about control lines, only transmit, receive and ground are active. Your terminal
program must be configured to ignore the control lines.
Be careful of the RS-232 serial cables available on the market. Some provide the inversion of the transmit and
receive lines, some does not. Always verify the correct wiring. Sometimes you may plug a NULL-MODEM inverter
in serial.
If you use BIOS level serial communication functions (on a X86 based PC), like Interrupt 0x14, you may need to
strap additional wires on PC connector side to satisfy the BIOS verifications. Connect RTS to CTS and DSR to DTR.
For example, on a DB25 connector, strap pin 4 with pin 5 and pin 6 with pin 20 (see schematics in chapter 2.3).
2. SERIAL INTERFACE OPERATION
2.1. INTRODUCTION
The TNT rubidium clocks are equipped with a microcomputer, associated with multi-channel D/A converters, used
for setting its parameters. This microcomputer is also used for the interrogation and detection of the Rb absorption ‘
dip’ .
The built-in serial interface allows an automatic parameter adjustment during the manufacturing process as well as
coarse and fine adjustment of the centre frequency.
All the working parameters are stored in a built-in EEPROM memory. In addition an 8 channel A/D converter is
used for monitoring the main internal signals such as: light level , signal level , thermostats heating currents etc...
2.2. RS-232 LIMITATIONS FOR SEVERAL RUBIDIUM MODELS
In standard, all the TNT rubidiums are able to receive commands by RS-232.
All the TNT rubidiums, except the HPFRS, can transmit information by RS-232.
Only on request, for full pin compatibility with double oven OCXO, TNT can remove the RS-232 pins on the RMO
model.
2.3. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR SERIAL INTERFACE COMMUNICATION
For serial communication with a computer :
● The following chapters describe the various commands that can be send to the rubidium by RS-232. Please
note that all the commands shall be send in UPPER CASE.
● If the rubidium does not understand a command, it returns a quotation mark (?) through the RS-232.

● <CR> means Carriage Return which is ASCII decimal code 13 or hexadecimal code 0x0D.

● When using Windows Terminal, just type the <Return> key of the keyboard.

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● Do not type space characters between the command and the carriage return.
● This page is issued for users who own a rubidium with full rubidium RS-232 capabilities (see chapter 2.2).
For serial communication with a microcontroller:
● The numerical value transmitted to the rubidium are coded into ASCII. For example, if you want to send the
Read-Back command L06, you have to send four ASCII characters: 'L', '0', '6', and 'Carriage return'.
This gives (in hexadecimal): " 4C 30 36 0D ".
● An ASCII table is included at the end of the page to help you convert your commands into hexadecimal codes.

● The SCI (Serial Communication Interface) used into the Rb is a full-duplex UART-type asynchronous system,
using standard nonreturn-to-zero (NRZ) format (1 start, 8 data, 1 stop bit). Both the transmitter and the
receiver are double buffered. The UART resynchronize the receiver bit clock on all one-to-zero transitions in
the bit stream; therefore, differences in baud rate between the sending device and the Rb are not likely to cause
transmission errors.
● The coding for ASCII character is 8 bits (signed).
● After the start bit, the byte transfer begin by the LSB up to the MSB (8 bits) and ends with a stop bit.
● The theoretically admited worst case commulated baud rate frequency mismatch is 4.2%
● Usually, microcontrollers provide a TTL TxD signal, compatible with the Rb RxD.
2.4. SERIAL INTERFACE CONNECTION
The data transfer from the Rb can be made by direct connection to a PC or standard terminal .

Data transfer parameters (serial)

Bit rate 1200 bit/s

Parity None

Start bit 1

Data bit 8

Stop bit 1

IMPORTANT NOTE:
In most cases, the serial PC interface accepts the 0 to 5V level and a direct connection can be made. In case this 0
to 5V standard is not working , please refer to the small adaptation circuit called ‘ RS 232 adapter circuit’
described in chapter 3.

WARNING:
In case of wrong connection, for example, in case of plug-in the PC transmit to the RB transmit, you may damage
both PC and Rubidium serial port.

2.4. Rb INTERNAL PARAMETERS MONITORING

The Rb Internal parameter monitoring is depending on the Rubidium type you are using.
This operation is detailed in the rubidium Operating Manual. Follow the links:
MCFRS, LPFRS, RMO, LTCRO.
The internal parameters monitoring is not possible on a HPFRS.
2.5. CENTRE FREQUENCY ADJUSTMENT WITH THE SERIAL INTERFACE
The Centre frequency adjustment with serial interface is depending on the Rubidium type you are using.

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TNT Rb RS232 capabilities

This operation is detailed in the rubidium Operating Manual. Follow the links:
MCFRS, HPFRS, LPFRS, RMO, LTCRO.
2.6. CENTRE FREQUENCY READ-BACK
Except in the HPFRS, coarse and fine frequency corrections value can be read back by the following commands:
L06 <CR> for coarse adjustment
L0A <CR> for fine adjustment
2.7. RUBIDIUM IDENTIFICATION
Just after switching on, the rubidium identifies itself through the RS-232 (except the HPFRS).
This can be useful for testing the serial link between the rubidium and the PC.
The information given during identification and the identification itself is not formally guaranteed by Temex
Neuchâtel Time SA. It is provided as an indicator. The fail of the identification can not be accepted as a reason for
returning the material.
The format of the returned string is usually the following:
TNT/Model Rb Version Date Checksum
Model: Rubidium model (MCFRS/LPFRS/RMO etc...)
Version: Software version
Date: Software date
Checksum: Checksum indicator for the factory
This format can be changed at anytime without notice. The provided information is not guaranteed.
MCFRS01 and MCFRS02 usually return "MCFRS01" at model identification.
The same string is returned if the following "Version" command is send by RS-232 to the rubidium:
V <CR>
The command shall be send in UPPER CASE. <CR> means: Carriage Return (ASCII decimal code 13).
3. RS-232 ADAPTER CIRCUIT
In most cases, the serial PC interface accepts the 0 to 5V level and a direct connection can be made. In case this 0 to
5V standard is not working , please use the small adaptation circuit called ‘ RS 232 adapter circuit’ described below:

Connect to
Connect to
rubidium serial
personal
port according to
pin function computer DB25
layout serial port

4. SUMMARY OF THE ASCII CODE WEIGHT USEFUL FOR COMMUNICATING WITH A RB

The rubidium will only interpret the ASCII codes mentionned into the following table. Any other code or wrong
command syntax will return a quotation mark character after receipt of the "Execute command" code (Carriage
Return).
Character / Code Decimal weight Hexadecimal weight Usage
<CR> 13 (d) 0x0D (h) Execute command
0 48 (d) 0x30 (h) Hexa value
1 49 (d) 0x31 (h) Hexa value

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2 50 (d) 0x32 (h) Hexa value

3 51 (d) 0x33 (h) Hexa value
4 52 (d) 0x34 (h) Hexa value
5 53 (d) 0x35 (h) Hexa value
6 54 (d) 0x36 (h) Hexa value
7 55 (d) 0x37 (h) Hexa value
8 56 (d) 0x38 (h) Hexa value
9 57 (d) 0x39 (h) Hexa value
A 65 (d) 0x41 (h) Hexa value
B 66 (d) 0x42 (h) Hexa value
C 67 (d) 0x43 (h) Hexa value / Center freq. command
D 68 (d) 0x44 (h) Hexa value
E 69 (d) 0x45 (h) Hexa value
F 70 (d) 0x46 (h) Hexa value / Fine adjust. command
? 63 (d) 0x3F (h) Invalid command (returned)
L 76 (d) 0x4C (h) Read-back command
M 77 (d) 0x4D (h) Monitoring command
V 86 (d) 0x56 (h) Identification command

5. CONFIGURATION OF MICROSOFT WINDOWS 95 (98) HYPERTERMINAL

Verify that the Hyperterminal is installed on your system (in the start menu: Start - Programs - Accessories -
Hyperterminal).
If not, first install the Hyperterminal program (Configuration Panel - Add program - Windows Installation -
Communication - Option - Hyperterminal).
Once Hyperterminal is installed, run it and follow the next figures.

First step: Create a new

connection.
Call it "Rubidium" for
example. (In the "Name"
field)
You can choose the Atom
icon which is the last of the
list!
This will create a profile for
future access for the
rubidium atomic clock
monitoring

Figure 5.1: Connection Description

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TNT Rb RS232 capabilities

Now you must specify the

hardware.
Forget about the three first
choices.
Choose the right serial port.
(Connect using:)
If you want to communicate
through the serial port 1,
please choose
"Direct to Com1"
If you want to communicate
through the serial port 2,
please choose
"Direct to Com2"
Figure 5.2: Connect To

Enter the serial data transfer

parameter according to the
figure:
Baud rate: 1200 Bits per
seconds
Data bits: 8 bits
Parity: None
Stop bits: 1
Flow control: None
Then click OK.
You are ready to
communicate with the
rubidium atomic clock!

Figure 5.3: COMx Properties

Copyright © 1999 TEMEX NEUCHATEL TIME. All rights reserved

Last modified: novembre 04, 1999

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