Synchronisation of PCs using pulse per second

[tummigummi]

Hello

I would like to synchronise several Personal Computers and some external hardware using a Pulse per Second (PPS) signal. In this configuration one PC or the external hardware shall generate the PPS (PPS master). Other PCs and other hardware shall count the PPS pulses (PPS slave). All PCs shall count the fraction of seconds since the last PPS pulse with a resolution of 1ms or higher.

To realise this PPS network, I consider the usage the NI Counter card PCI-6601/2. Could anyone answer a series of question please?

Is it possible to configure the PCI card to count the seconds and milliseconds when the card generates the PPS?

Is it possible to configure the PCI card to count the seconds and milliseconds when the card is triggered by an external PPS?

Is it possible to configure the PCI card to generate interrupt pulses with a frequency of 100Hz when the PCI card is configured as PPS master? The interrupt pulses must be synchronous to the PPS. That means every 100^th interrupt shall fall together with the PPS.

Is it possible to configure the PCI card to generate interrupt pulses with a frequency of 100Hz when the PCI card is configured as PPS slave?

How complicated is it to use this interrupt in a user application under Windows 2K/XP and Linux? Does the PCI card driver provide a simple mechanism like a blocking function call that returns when the PCI card generates an interrupt?

I’m also open for other solutions for my problem.

I consider a PCI card with a FPGA. I could implement the PPS logic very easily in VHDL. However, I don’t want waste time to get a PCI VHDL core running or writing software drivers to synchronise the applications with the PPS. Any useful comments would help.

Thank you very much,

Michael

[AdamB]

Hi tummigummi,

It's probably best if you ring into National Instruments here in the UK.  That way we can answer your questions for you with more information and be better equiped to give you the advice you need.

The number to call in is (01635) 523 545.

Just ask to have pre sales support and you'll be put down to one of our support engineers (like me) and we can help answer your questions for you.

Thanx

AdamB

Message Edited by AdamB on 07-24-2006 05:55 AM