[time-nuts] Query: Interest in clock synthesizer module -- useful for stabilizing PC timekeeping (among other things)

dl2vw at arcor.de dl2vw at arcor.de
Thu Aug 17 21:45:27 UTC 2006


John,

I would be very interested. Planning to set up an NTP Server on the NSLU2. Has anyone attempted something similar, i.e. NTP on Linux running on XScale/ARM, disciplined with PPS?

Regards,
Martin - DL2VW 


----- Original Nachricht ----
Von:     John Ackermann N8UR <jra at febo.com>
An:      timekeepers at fortytwo.ch,time-nuts at febo.com,time-freq at lists.tapr.org,questions at lists.ntp.isc.org,tacgps at lists.tapr.org
Datum:   16.08.2006 22:49
Betreff: [time-nuts] Query: Interest in clock synthesizer module -- useful
 for stabilizing PC timekeeping (among other things)

> I'm working on a project for TAPR (http://www.tapr.org) that might be of 
> interest to the timekeeping community.
> 
> It's a very simple clock synthesizer called the "Clock-Block" that 
> accepts a reference input in the roughly 2-50MHz range and generates an 
> output in the 5-250MHz range, programmable by a series of jumpers or 
> switches.
> 
> My primary inspiration for designing this circuit was Poul-Henning 
> Kemp's suggestion that it would work nicely to replace the crystal 
> oscillator on a PC to allow much more stable timekeeping.  For example, 
> it can generate 14.318182MHz or 33.333333MHz from a GPS disciplined 
> oscillator or other stable reference.  A PC with a Clock-Block and 
> external reference should be able to keep *very* good NTP time.
> 
> But there are likely to be other interesting uses as well; one I'm 
> considering is replacing the clock in a sound card to get precise sample 
> rates.
> 
> There's information about my prototype (and a picture) at 
> http://www.febo.com/time-freq/hardware/ICS525/
> 
> The prototype works well and we are now ready to move to production. 
> Before we do that, I'd like to get a sense of the interest level (if 
> any), and in particular whether there's enough demand to warrant an 
> semi-kit or assembled version instead of TAPR's usual bag o' parts.
> 
> As a kit, the Clock-Block would be quite inexpensive; we haven't 
> finalized the BOM yet but I believe TAPR would be able to sell it for 
> well under $50.
> 
> However, assembly may be problematic for some folks, because the 
> synthesizer chip is a "SSOP" surface mount package with about 0.5mm lead 
> pitch.  I've had no trouble putting down these chips using a microscope 
> and small iron but not everyone may be willing to take on that challenge.
> 
> I am guessing that given the likely low volume, a semi-kit (all the 
> surface mount parts soldered down, but the remaining parts -- two DIP 
> switches and four 2 pin headers -- left as an exercise for the buyer, 
> would cost in the range of $80-$100.
> 
> A fully assembled and tested version would probably be $100-120 (most of 
> the increased cost is testing, not soldering down the few remaining parts).
> 
> I've tried to be conservative in these prices and I hope the actual 
> price will be lower, but don't know that for sure at this point.  A lot 
> depends on quantity so there's a bit of chicken and egg here.
> 
> I'm hoping to collect no-obligation expressions of interest from this 
> group, assuming prices in the ranges described above.  If you'd be 
> interested in buying one or more Clock-Blocks, please let me know 
> privately how many, and what version.
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> John Ackermann
> jra at febo.com
> 
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