Datum bc632D User Manual

bc632D

Wall Mount LED Display

8500-0015

User’s Guide

Rev. A

(June, 2000)

bc632D

Wall Mount LED Display

User’s Guide

March, 1997

bc632D

WALL MOUNT LED DISPLAY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION PAGE

ADDENDUM A

OFFSET PROGRAMMING

A.0 Set Local Offset Time (Shift-D)............................................................................................. A-1

A.1 Programming Offset Via Remote............................................................................................ A-1

A.2 Programming Offset Via RS-422........................................................................................... A-1

A.3 Set Leap Year....................................................................................................................... A-2

A.3.1 Programming Leap Year Via Remote....................................................................... A-2

A.3.2 Programming Leap Year Via RS-422...................................................................... A-3

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 General...................................................................................................................................1-1

1.1 Features..................................................................................................................................1-1

1.2 Overview................................................................................................................................1-2

1.3 Time Code Formats................................................................................................................1-3

CHAPTER TWO

INSTALLATION AND SETUP

2.0 General...................................................................................................................................2-1

2.1 Setup - Internal Jumpers..........................................................................................................2-1

2.1.1 Accessing Jumpers...................................................................................................2-1

2.1.2 Jumper Location......................................................................................................2-2

2.1.3 Jumper JP1 - Control Bus Termination.....................................................................2-2

2.1.4 Jumper JP2 - RS-232/RS-485 Select for J3 Pin A6 .................................................2-3

2.1.5 Jumper JP3 - RS-232/RS-485 Select for J3 Pin A1 ................................................2-4

2.1.6 Jumper JP4 - Select Event or 1PPS for BNC J2.......................................................2-4

2.1.7 Jumper JP5 - Time Bus Termination.........................................................................2-5

2.1.8 Jumper JP6 - Control Bus Select..............................................................................2-6

2.1.9 Jumper JP7 - BNC J4 Function Select .....................................................................2-7

Datum Inc bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2.2 Mounting Instructions ..............................................................................................................2-8

2.2.1 Wall Flush Mount.....................................................................................................2-8

2.2.2 Ceiling Suspension...................................................................................................2-8

2.2.3 Wall Mounting Using Brackets .................................................................................2-9

2.2.4 Countertop ..............................................................................................................2-9

2.3 Serial Time Bus.......................................................................................................................2-9

2.3.1 Digital Time Protocol..............................................................................................2-10

2.3.2 Multiplexed Time Protocol.....................................................................................2-12

2.4 Control Bus ..........................................................................................................................2-12

CHAPTER THREE

OPERATION AND PROGRAMMING

3.0 General...................................................................................................................................3-1

3.1 Operation...............................................................................................................................3-1

3.1.1 Labels......................................................................................................................3-1

3.1.2 Status Lights ............................................................................................................3-2

3.1.3 Programming............................................................................................................3-2

3.2 Infrared Keyboard..................................................................................................................3-3

3.2.1 Keyboard Operation................................................................................................3-3

3.2.2 Keyboard Functions.................................................................................................3-3

3.2.3 Sound Control.........................................................................................................3-6

3.2.4 On-Off ....................................................................................................................3-6

3.2.5 Keyboard Batteries..................................................................................................3-7

3.3 Programming Details ...............................................................................................................3-7

3.3.1 Memory Structure....................................................................................................3-7

3.3.2 Selecting Steps.........................................................................................................3-7

3.3.3 Editing .....................................................................................................................3-8

3.3.4 Source - Select Time Source....................................................................................3-8

3.3.5 Label - Edit Text Labels...........................................................................................3-9

3.3.6 Format - Change Display Format ...........................................................................3-10

3.3.7 Color - Change Display Color................................................................................3-11

3.3.8 Duration - Change Run Time of a Step ...................................................................3-12

3.3.9 Link - Link to Next Step........................................................................................3-12

3.3.10 Master (Shift-C) - Enable Digital Time Master Transmissions................................3-12

3.3.11 Set Time (Shift-D) - Set Internal Clock.................................................................3-12

3.3.12 Event (Shift-E) - Change Event Capture Parameters .............................................3-13

3.3.13 Addr (Shift-F) - Change Local Address ...............................................................3-14

3.3.14 Program Retention...............................................................................................3-14

3.4 Programming Summary.........................................................................................................3-14

3.5 Initial Parameters...................................................................................................................3-17

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bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) Datum Inc

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER FOUR

I/O CONNECTORS

4.0 General...................................................................................................................................4-1

4.1 J2 Event Input/1PPS Output BNC Connector .........................................................................4-1

4.2 J3 RS-485 Serial Differential Input/Output...............................................................................4-1

4.2.1 Serial Output Messages............................................................................................4-3

4.3 J4 Timecode Input BNC Connector........................................................................................4-4

CHAPTER FIVE

ADJUSTMENTS

5.0 Phase-Locked Loop Adjustment.............................................................................................5-1

CHAPTER SIX

DRAWING SET

6.0 General...................................................................................................................................6-1

APPENDIX A

DIGITAL TIME TRANSMISSION PROTOCOL

A.0 Introduction........................................................................................................................... A-1

A.1 Physical................................................................................................................................. A-1

A.1.1 Device Connection................................................................................................. A-1

A.2 Signal Description.................................................................................................................. A-1

A.3 Cable.................................................................................................................................... A-2

A.4 Daisy-Chaining...................................................................................................................... A-2

A.5 Bussing ................................................................................................................................. A-3

A.6 Termination........................................................................................................................... A-4

A.7 Logical Description................................................................................................................ A-4

A.7.1 Bit Rate, Parity and Framing Bits ............................................................................ A-4

A.7.2 Message Formats................................................................................................... A-5

A.7.3 Digital Time - Character Mode............................................................................... A-5

A.7.4 Digital Time - Pulse Mode...................................................................................... A-6

A.7.5 Multiplex Time ....................................................................................................... A-7

A.8 Time Tags ............................................................................................................................. A-8

Datum Inc bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A)

iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

APPENDIX B

bc632D CONTROL BUS PROTOCOL

B.0 Introduction............................................................................................................................B-1

B.1 RS-485 Signals ......................................................................................................................B-1

B.2 Daisy Chaining........................................................................................................................B-2

B.3 Bussing...................................................................................................................................B-2

B.4 Termination............................................................................................................................B-3

B.5 Logical Description.................................................................................................................B-3

B.5.1 Bit Rate, Parity, and Framing Bits.............................................................................B-3

B.5.2 Command Formats..................................................................................................B-4

B.5.2.1 Address ...................................................................................................B-4

B.5.2.2 Event........................................................................................................B-4

B.5.2.3 Master .....................................................................................................B-5

B.5.2.4 Set Real Time Clock.................................................................................B-5

B.5.2.5 Source .....................................................................................................B-6

B.5.2.6 Label........................................................................................................B-6

B.5.2.7 Format.....................................................................................................B-7

B.5.2.8 Color .......................................................................................................B-8

B.5.2.9 Duration...................................................................................................B-8

B.5.2.10 Link .......................................................................................................B-9

B.5.2.11 Halt........................................................................................................B-9

B.5.2.12 Step.......................................................................................................B-9

B.5.2.13 Set.........................................................................................................B-9

B.5.2.14 Start.....................................................................................................B-10

B.5.2.15 Stop.....................................................................................................B-11

B.5.2.16 Echo ....................................................................................................B-11

B.5.2.17 End ......................................................................................................B-12

B.6 Examples ............................................................................................................................B-12

iv

bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) Datum Inc

ADDENDUM A
OFFSET PROGRAMMING

A.0 SET LOCAL OFFSET TIME (SHIFT-D)

The SET TIME function key (SHIFT-D) is used for both set internal clock and set local offset time
features. To enter SET LOCAL OFFSET TIME menu by pressing SHIFT-D, the display first appears
on the SET TIME menu "TIME hh:mm:ss". Without any modification on the SET TIME menu, press
the SELECT key to set local offset time. The display prompts the offset time of the first source display
"OFFSET 1 +/- XX" hour(s). The local offset time can be set to +/- 19 hours. The bc632D module
has the capability to display eight (8) different local offset times from a single time source. When the
SELECT key is pressed again, the display scrolls to the next source display offset time menu. You
m ay press the RUN function key to exit the SET TIME menu any time.

A.1 PROGRAMMING OFFSET via REMOTE

The following brief example shows set local offset time on source display one:

Press SHIFT D To enter SET TIME menu.
TIME hh:mm:ss

Press SELECT Go to next menu.
OFFSET 1 +00

Type in -08 Type in -08 hours.

Press RUN Exit SET TIME menu.

The time is -08 hours on source 1 (SRC 1)

A.2 PROGRAMMING OFFSET via RS-422

addr aaa set bc632D display address

offset 1 -08 set to -08 hours

end

Note: See Appendix B for bus protocol.

Datum Inc bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) A-1

ADDENDUM A

A.3 SET LEAP YEAR

The standard IRIG time code does not carry leap year information. When local offset time is set for the
display, the leap year flag is required for the bc632D display time rollovers from 365 days or 366 days
to 1 day.

A.3.1 PROGRAMMING LEAP YEAR via REMOTE

The SET LEAP YEAR feature also shares the same function key with SET TIME and OFFSET. The
following example sets current year to be leap year:

Press SHIFT D
TIME hh:mm:ss SET TIME menu.

Press SELECT
OFFSET 1 +/-XX OFFSET 1 menu.

Press SELECT
OFFSET 2 +/-XX OFFSET 2 menu.

Press SELECT
OFFSET 3 +/-XX OFFSET 3 menu.

Press SELECT
OFFSET 4 +/-XX OFFSET 4 menu.

Press SELECT
OFFSET 5 +/-XX OFFSET 5 menu.

Press SELECT
OFFSET 6 +/-XX OFFSET 6 menu.

Press SELECT
OFFSET 7 +/-XX OFFSET 7 menu.

Press SELECT
OFFSET 8 +/-XX OFFSET 8 menu.

Press SELECT
Leap Year? Y/N LEAP YEAR menu.

Type in Y Set LEAP YEAR flag to leap year.

A-2 bc632 Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) Datum Inc

ADDENDUM A

A.3.2 PROGRAMMING LEAP YEAR via RS422

addr aaa display address

leapyear 1 set LEAP YEAR flag

end

Datum Inc bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) A-3

ADDENDUM A

This Page Intentionally Left Blank.

A-4 bc632 Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) Datum Inc

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION

1.0 GENERAL

The bc632D Wall Display Operation and Technical Manual provides the following information:

• General Introduction.

• Installation and Setup Details.

• Operation and Programming.

• I/O Signal Information.

• Theory of Operation.

• Drawing Set.

1.1 FEATURES

The salient features of the bc632D Wall Display include:

• Real Time Clock operation with millisecond precision.

• Decodes commonly used time code formats, IRIG B, IRIG A, NASA 36 and 2137.

• Decodes modulated or un-modulated (DC level shift) time codes.

• Master/Slave operation allows digital synchronization of multiple bc632D's.

• Up to six separate time channels multiplexed on one cable to multiple bc632D's.

• Continues to provide time, “flywheels,” during loss of the external time code source.

• Battery -backed Real Time Clock maintains time during power loss and can be synchronized to an

external time code.

• Battery -backed control values allow one-time setup.

• Supports external event time capture input with programmable polarity.

• Flexible programming displays allow multi-screen time formats.

Datum Inc bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) 1-1

CHAPTER ONE

1.2 OVERVIEW

The bc632D is a wall-mounted time display designed to read serial time code signals, and digitally
synchronize multiple displays. The bc632D also incorporates a battery-backed real time clock which
maintains time during power loss and can be synchronized to an external time code signal.

The bc632D is programmed using a hand-held infrared remote control keyboard. The keyboard is
used in selecting the display format and time source that the bc632D decodes. It sets and reads the real
time clock, activates event time capture operations, and reads the captured time and status.

The principal performance characteristics are listed in Table 1-1.

Table 1-1

Principal Performance Characteristics

Item Item Description

Time Code Reader Time Code Formats IRIG A, B, NASA 36, 2137.
Carrier Range IRIG A - 10kHz ± 2%.

IRIG B - 1 kHz ± 2%.
NASA 36 - 1 kHz ± 2%.
2137 - 1 kHz ± 2%.

Flywheel Accuracy Less than 3.6 milliseconds per hour.
Modulation Ratio 3:1 to 6:1.
Input Amplitude 100 mVrms to 1 Vrms.
Input Impedance 10K Ω (AC coupled).
Real Time Clock Format 24 Hour.
Accuracy ± 10PPM.
Power 7 VAC from provided power supply; 40 W.
TTL/CMOS Input
Signals

Event Capture TTL/CMOS, positive or negative edge

triggered, 50 ns min width.

TTL Output Signals 1 Pulse Per Second TTL/CMOS, positive edge on time.
RS-485 Input/Output
Signals

Serial Time/Message TX/RX (+), TX/RX (-).

9600 Baud, 8 bits, 1 stop bit, no parity.
TX (-) compatible with most RS-232 devices.

RS-232 Input/Output
Signals

Control Bus RS-232 IN, RS-232 OUT.

9600 Baud 8 bits, 1 stop bit, no parity.
Pins selectable as RS-23 or RS-485.

Operating and Storage

The display is intended for indoor use only.

Environments

1-2 bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) Datum Inc

INTRODUCTION

1.3 TIME CODE FORMATS

The widespread use of coded timing signals to assist in the correlation of intercept and test data began in
the early 1950's. These signals can be decoded in real time to indicate the current
Time of Day (TOD) or recorded along with intercept/test data on magnetic tape recorders for post
processing and time correlation.

Hundreds of time code formats were developed - one for each agency involved. During the early
1960's the InterRange Instrumentation Group promoted a series of “standard” time code formats now
loosely referred to as “IRIG Time Codes.” The bc632D decodes four of these formats: IRIG A, IRIG
B, 2137, and NASA 36.

More complete details on these and other time code formats are available free of charge, on request
from either Bancomm Division or Datum Inc in the form of the Datum Inc, Handbook of Time Code
Formats. Figure 1-1 illustrates a frame of IRIG A, B or G time code.

Datum Inc bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) 1-3

CHAPTER ONE

Figure 1-1

IRIG Time Code Frame

1-4 bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) Datum Inc

CHAPTER TWO
INSTALLATION AND SETUP

2.0 GENERAL

To begin using the bc632D, you may need to move some of the internal jumpers, and mount the display
to a wall, ceiling or countertop. This chapter gives instructions on jumper settings and mounting. You
may also need to program the bc632D for your application. A full description of all the programmable
options can be found in Chapter Three.

2.1 SETUP - INTERNAL JUMPERS

There are five jumpers on the internal circuit board which are used to modify the operation of the
bc632D. They are set (at the factory) to the following:

Time Bus Un-Terminated.
Control Bus Un-Terminated.
J3 Rx Pins 1 and 6 RS-232 Levels.
BNC J2 1PPS Out.
BNC J4 Modulated Time Code Input.

If you only have one bc632D, and you are using it with the internal clock or modulated time code, and
you have no need to use the event capture input, then you do not need to change any of the jumpers.

If you need to use the event capture input, DC level shift time codes, or the networking capabilities of
the bc632D, then you will have to change the jumpers accordingly.

2.1.1 ACCESSING JUMPERS

To change the jumpers, follow this procedure:

• Lay the bc632D face down on a soft non-marring surface.

• Remove the screws from the rear of the case.

• Carefully remove the back cover, rotating it toward the bottom of the display to clear the

connectors.

• Move jumpers to the desired configuration.

• Replace the back cover and screws.

Datum Inc bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) 2-1

CHAPTER TWO

2.1.2 JUMPER LOCATION

There are several circuit boards in the bc632D case. All the user-configurable jumpers are on the
timing board. When you look at the back of the display, the timing board is found at the right hand side
of the display, mounted on four white plastic spacers.

Figure 2-1 shows the location of the jumpers on the timing board.

bc632D Jumper Locations

Figure 2-1

JP1

JP2
JP3

JP7

JP4

JP5

J2 J4

Dual

RJ11

J3

B A

2.1.3 JUMPER JP1 - CONTROL BUS TERMINATION

When you use the Control Bus, you must terminate the ends of the network with a 100Ω resistor. The
resistor may be external or internal to the bc632D. To use the internal terminating resistor, place the
jumper on JP1 between pins 3 and 4. Otherwise place the jumper between pins 1 and 2.

2-2 bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) Datum Inc

INSTALLATION AND SETU P

Figure 2-2

Jumper JP1 Settings

Not Terminated

(Factory Setting)

3

4

1

2

Terminated

3

4

1

2

2.1.4 JUMPER JP2 - RS-232/RS-485 SELECT FOR J3 PIN A6

Two pins on connector J3 are dual-purpose. They provide an RS-232 port to a controlling computer,
or an RS-485 port for connecting a network of displays. If the display is to be connected directly to
the RS-232 port of a computer, then leave the jumpers between pins 1 and 2 of JP2. This routes pin
A6 to an RS-232 driver. If you are using the display as part of a daisy-chained network, put the
jumper on pins 2 and 3, which routes pin A6 to the (+) terminal of an RS-485 transceiver.

Figure 2-3

Jumper JP2 Settings

RS-232

(Factory Setting)

3 12

JP2

RS-485

3 12

JP2

Datum Inc bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) 2-3

CHAPTER TWO

2.1.5 JUMPER JP3 - RS-232/RS-485 SELECT FOR J3 PIN A1

If the display is to be connected directly to the RS-232 port of a computer, then leave the jumpers
between pins 1 and 2 of JP3. This routes pin A1 to an RS-232 receiver. If you are using the display as
part of a daisy-chained network, put the jumper on pins 2 and 3, which routes pin A1 to the (-) terminal
of an RS-485 transceiver.

Note: If you use the RS-232 input, be sure that JP6 is installed as described in Section 2.1.8.

Figure 2-4

Jumper JP3 Settings

RS-232

(Factory Setting)

3 12

JP3

RS-485

3 12

JP3

2.1.6 JUMPER JP4 - SELECT EVENT OR 1PPS FOR BNC J2

Jumper JP4 is used to select the signal present on BNC connector J2. Normally, the jumper is
connected between pins 1 and 2, so that BNC J2 is used as a 1PPS output. To use BNC J2 as an
event input, move the jumper to pins 3 and 4.

Figure 2-5

Jumper JP4 Settings

1PPS Output

(Factory Setting)

3

4

1

2

Event Input

3

4

1

2

2-4 bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) Datum Inc

INSTALLATION AND SETU P

2.1.7 JUMPER JP5 - TIME BUS TERMINATION

When you use the Digital Time or Multiplex Time protocols, you must terminate the ends of the network
with a 100Ω resistor. The resistor may be external or internal to the bc632D. To use the internal
terminating resistor, place the jumper on JP2 between pins 3 and 4. Otherwise place the jumper
between pins 1 and 2.

Figure 2-6

Jumper JP4 Settings

Not Terminated

3

4

1

2

Terminated

3

4

1

2

2.1.8 JUMPER JP6 - CONTROL BUS SELECT

Install the jumper on JP6 if RS-232 pins are being used, that is, if jumper JP3 is on pins 1 and 2. This
tells the display that it must enable the RS-485 drivers that are being driven from the controlling
computer. If you are not using the RS-232 pins or a controlling computer, then remove jumper JP6.
This will cause the display to keep those RS-485 drivers off.

Note: Only one display in a network can have its JP6 installed. Otherwise, control signals from

the computer be corrupted.

Figure 2-7

Jumper JP6 Settings

Using RS-232

(Factory Settings)

12

JP6

Not Using RS-232

12

JP6

Datum Inc bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) 2-5

CHAPTER TWO

2.1.9 JUMPER JP7 - BNC J4 FUNCTION SELECT

Jumper JP7 selects the signal present on BNC connector J4. Normally, the jumper is connected
between pins 7 and 8, so that BNC J4 is used as the modulated time code input. BNC J4 can be used
for other functions as shown in Figure 2-4.

Note that the Event Input is available on either BNC J2 or J4. The Event Input would only be selected
on J4 if the 1PPS output is required and the bc632D is using its internal clock or the RS-485 port as
the source of time.

Figure 2-8

Jumper JP7 Settings

1

Event Input

357

2468

1

DC Level Shift In

357

2468

1

Time Code Input

357

2468

2-6 bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) Datum Inc

INSTALLATION AND SETU P

2.2 MOUNTING INSTRUCTIONS

The bc632D can be mounted in four different ways:

• Wall flush mount.

• Ceiling hanging.

• Countertop.

• Wall mounting brackets.

For installation purposes, please note that the bc632D display weighs 4 lbs. Select the mounting
instructions appropriate for your needs.

2.2.1 WALL FLUSH MOUNT

Step 1

Locate the keyhole slots on the back of the case at either end. Note, two sets of keyhole slots are
available. The slots are spaced 16 or 24 inches apart. Use the keyhole slots most appropriate for your
needs.

Step 2

Place two #8 screws into the wall/mounting surface at the selected distances, either 16 or 24 inches
apart. Use the type of screws and anchoring methods appropriate for the mounting surface. For
example, use wood screws if you are mounting to a wood surface. (These screws are not supplied.)

Step 3

Hang the display on the two screws located on the wall/mounting surface.

2.2.2 CEILING SUSPENSION

Step 1

Locate the hanging links in the seam at the top back of the case, near each end.

Step 2

Turn the sign upside down and the links will turn out. The links are spaced 24 inches apart and can be
bent for angle adjustment if needed.

Step 3

From the ceiling, install two chains (or other means) 24 inches apart.

Datum Inc bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) 2-7

CHAPTER TWO

Step 4

Connect the chains to the hanging links to suspend the display from the ceiling.

2.2.3 WALL MOUNTING USING BRACKETS

Step 1

Attach the large end of the brackets to the wall mounting surface, 27.65 inches apart, using two #8
screws per bracket.

Note: The brackets are different for the left and right sides. Also, use the type of screws and

anchoring methods appropriate for the mounting surface. For example, use wood screws if
you are mounting to a wood surface. (These screws are not supplied.)

Step 2

Attach the small end of the mounting brackets to the display using the enclosed #10 screws and lock
washers.

Note: The lock washers must be placed between the mounting bracket and the sign. DO NOT

tighten the screws until the sign and brackets are adjusted to the desired angle.

2.2.4 COUNTERTOP

Step 1

Attach the small end of the two mounting brackets to the display using the enclosed #10 screws and
lockwashers. Note that the brackets are different for the left and right sides. The lockwashers must be
pl aced between the mounting bracket and the sign. DO NOT tighten the screws until the display and
brackets are adjusted to the desired angle.

Step 2

Place the display on the countertop using the mounting brackets as legs. The display is not very stable,
so choose a location where it will not be accidentally bumped. Adjust the display to the desired angle
and tighten the screws.

2.3 SERIAL TIME BUS

Each bc632D has two RJ11 jacks on the back. These can be used to connect several displays in a
network. The jacks carry two busses. One bus distributes timing information. The other can be used
to distribute control and programming information.

2-8 bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) Datum Inc

INSTALLATION AND SETU P

2.3.1 DIGITAL TIME PROTOCOL

The bc632D Wall Display has the capability of operating in a Master/Slave mode in which Slave
bc632D's synchronize digitally to the timebase of a Master bc632D. This allows computer
synchronization of two or more displays without external time code. Synchronization accuracy’s of ± 1
microsecond can be achieved between the Master and Slaves. The Master/Slave mode of operation is
summarized as follows:

• A Master bc632D decodes its selected time source. A 1PPS synchronization pulse and 9600 baud

serial time message (days - seconds) is broadcast via two RS-485 lines each second through the
TX side of the RJ11 connector (J3). The Master automatically broadcasts these digital time signals
when decoding time or flywheeling.

• Slave bc632D's are programmed with "Digital Time" as their time source. The RX side of the

Slave's RJ11 connector (J3) is connected to the TX side of the Masters RJ11 with four-conductor
telephone cable. When a valid 1PPS and time message is received from the Master,
synchronization takes place. All features of the bc632D are available with this mode including
"flywheeling." (Refer to Figures 2-9 and 2-10.) The signal received on the slaves RX connector
are looped through to the TX connector, allowing signs to be connected in a "daisy-chain" fashion.

• Terminate the RS-485 line with the bc632D's termination resistors by moving the existing jumper on

JP5 pins 1 and 2 to JP5 pins 3 and 4. (See Section 2.1.7). The two bc632D's on the end of the
network should be terminated.

Note: On a Master\Slave bc632D network only two modules should be terminated.

• Any one of the bc632D's depicted in Figures 2-5 and 2-6 can serve as a Master. The Master is

the only unit in the network that transmits Time and Synchronization pulses on the serial lines. See
Section 3.3.10 for a description of how to set the display as a master. If more than one bc632D
tries to operate as a Master, the time signals are corrupted. There is not any hardware damage
when this occurs, but network synchronization is not possible. When a bc632D is designated as a
Slave (Refer to step 2) all drivers are disabled.

Datum Inc bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) 2-9

CHAPTER TWO

RX TX

Master

bc632D*

*

Termination
Choice of one of the two methods listed below:

*

Figure 2-9

Serial Daisy Chain Connection of Master/Slave bc632Ds

RX TX RX TX RX TX

Denotes Termination by on-board 100Ω resistors.
4- or 6-conductor cable with RJ11 male connectors.
bc632D RJ11 port (female mating connector).

Figure 2-10

bc632D Master/Slave Serial Distribution Bus with multiple Drop Points

RX TX

Master

bc632D*

Denotes direct 100W termination on RS-485 line.

Denotes termination by on-board 100W resistors (Necessary if RS485 line is not
externally terminated).

RX TX RX TX RX TX

2-10 bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) Datum Inc

INSTALLATION AND SETU P

2.3.2 MULTIPLEXED TIME PROTOCOL

The Multiplexed time protocol is similar to the Digital Time Protocol. It is intended for an installation of
several bc632D displays which may have to show different times. It uses the same
physical wiring configuration with the exception that a bc632D can not act as a master in the
Multiplexed time operation. The master will typically be a computer with several time inputs and
a serial port.

Another difference between the two protocols is the synchronization accuracy between the master and
slaves. The multiplexed time protocol only keeps the master and slaves
synchronized within one millisecond.

2.4 CONTROL BUS

If six-conductor cable is used between bc632D's, then the control bus pins will be connected. This
allows a computer to issue programming commands to all displays on the network.

Since RS-232 ports are more commonly found on computers than RS-485 ports, the bc632D has been
designed to accept RS-232 signal levels and convert them to RS-485 levels to drive the control bus.
To do this, internal jumpers JP2, JP3 and JP6 must be set for RS-232 operation. See Section 2.1 for
information on setting jumpers.

Appendix B defines the control bus command protocol.

Datum Inc bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) 2-11

CHAPTER TWO

Page Intentionally Left Blank

2-12 bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) Datum Inc

CHAPTER THREE
OPERATION AND PROGRAMMING

3.0 GENERAL

The bc632D is programmed using the hand-held remote control unit. This chapter describes how to
configure the bc632D for use.

The bc632D can be programmed to perform many timing and display related functions. The following
parameters can be programmed:

• Source of time for display.

• Alphanumeric Labels for each time source.

• Time or sync mode of internal real time clock.

• Display format and color.

• Event input polarity and activity.

• Display Address for network operation.

3.1 OPERATION

When power is applied, the bc632D begins displaying time using the parameters in memory. This is it’s
normal “Run” mode. When running, one of several display formats will be displayed. The bc632D
allows you to select from several display formats to suit your application.

3.1.1 LABELS

In some formats, an alphanumeric label is displayed on the left-hand side of the display. The label can
be used to indicate the time source that is being displayed. For example, if the time code input is
connected to a timecode carrying Greenwich Mean Time, you might use the label “GMT” to indicate
that. Perhaps another display might need the label "Local" to differentiate it from the GMT display.

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CHAPTER THREE

3.1.2 STATUS LIGHTS

On the right-hand side of the display, three of the lights are used to indicate various status information on
the display. The status lights form a vertical row:

O Flywheel Light

O Synchronizing Light

O Event Light

The flywheel light goes on when the display loses its source of time. It indicates that the display is not
currently reading any time source, but is "coasting" with the last known time and rate. It may indicate a
noisy or disconnected input signal. Depending on the source of time, it may take up to six seconds after
the time code is lost for the flywheel light to come on.

The synchronizing light goes on when you have selected one of the synchronization options for the
internal clock. See Section 3.3.11, SET TIME (SHIFT-D) - Set Internal Clock. The light will be on
while the display acquires the time code or other time source. It will go off when the real time clock has
been synchronized to the time source.

The event light shows the status of the event capture input. When the event capture is disarmed, the
event light is off. When the event capture is armed, the light is green. It remains green until an event is
detected, when it turns red. You must clear the event to capture a new event (See Section 3.3.12 for
programming the event capture parameters).

3.1.3 PROGRAMMING

The display remains in Run mode, displaying time, until the PROGRAM key is pressed, which puts the
display in "Program" mode. In Program mode the operator can modify all the operating parameters.
The display remains in Program mode until the RUN key is pressed.

Most programming is done by selecting items from a list. You may select an item from the list in two
ways. First, you can use the SELECT key to advance through the list, one item at a time. Second, you
may press one of the number keys "1" through "9" to select items in the list. The "0" key is used to undo
any changes made since the last command.

There are some cases where the number keys are used as entries in text strings, so they do not select
items in the list. For example, when setting the internal clock, the keys 0-9 are used to enter the time
rather than select items in the list. These exceptions are noted on the following page.

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OPERATION AND PROGRAMMING

3.2 INFRARED KEYBOARD

3.2.1 KEYBOARD OPERATION

The infrared (IR) keyboard is a wireless programming tool used to provide a convenient way to
program the bc632D display. The keyboard transmits a beam of infrared light with a special code
for each key pressed. The front panel of the keyboard includes an indicator that flashes when the
keyboard is operating.

The IR receiver is located near the right side of the display. There is a small window near the bottom
edge of the display for receiving IR commands. Be sure this window is not blocked. When using your
infrared keyboard, keep the following points in mind:

• The keyboard must be pointed at the infrared receiver (located on the right hand bottom of the

display) whenever keys are pressed.

• The operator should have a clear view of the entire display when programming and MUST be at

least 5 feet, but not more than 30 feet from the unit.

• The operator should be standing within 30 degrees of the direct front of the infrared receiver.

• Make sure nothing reflective is located in front of the display message center. Light from the display

that is reflected back at the receiver interferes with keyboard operation. Additionally, fluorescent
light bulbs could interfere with keyboard operation.

3.2.2 KEYBOARD FUNCTIONS

Refer to Figure 3-1 to familiarize yourself with the keyboard functions. Please note that some keys have
two functions. Most of the keys are used for numbers and letters. The other keys are labeled to
provide specific functions.

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CHAPTER THREE

Figure 3-1

Infrared Remote Keyboard

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OPERATION AND PROGRAMMING

Here is a brief description of the function keys:

PROGRAM
Initiate the Program mode, where you can program the display. It is also used to abort a programming
operation. Programming always begins at step 1.

RUN
Complete programming and resume normal operation.

SOURCE
Select the source of time to be displayed.

LABEL
Edit the alphanumeric label for the time display.

FORMAT
Select the format of the time display.

COLOR
Select the color of the time display.

DURATION
Program number of seconds that this step will be displayed before going on.

LINK
Link this step to next step in a sequence.

SELECT
Step through a list of items during programming.

MASTER
(SHIFT -C) Enable or disable digital time transmissions.

SET TIME
(SHIFT -D) Set the time of the internal Real Time Clock, or set up the RTC to synchronize to other
time sources.

EVENT
(SHIFT -E) Show the event time and set up the event capture function.

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CHAPTER THREE

ADDR
(SHIFT -F) Set the address of the display.

RETURN
Answer "yes" to an option.

SHIFT
Access the function or character above another key.

CAPS
Toggle between using upper-case and lower-case letters.

INSERT
Insert characters in a string, rather than typing over existing characters.

BACK
Move backwards (left) through a string of characters.

ADV
Move forwards (right) through a string of characters.

DELETE
Remove a character from a string.

The keyboard operates similarly to a typewriter keyboard. If the character above the main key is
desired, press and hold down the SHIFT key and press the main character key. If the character
on the main key is desired, simply press the key. No SHIFT key is needed. The CAPS key only
works on the 26 main letters “A” through “Z.” Pressing a letter key normally produces a capital
letter. To produce lower case letters, press the CAPS key. To return to producing capital letters,
press the CAPS key again.

3.2.3 SOUND CONTROL

The wall display is equipped with a speaker and can generate a tone when you press any key except
SHIFT. If you want the wall display to emit tones while you are programming, press and hold the
SHIFT key while pressing the RUN key. This will turn the tones ON. To turn the tones OFF, press
SHIFT and RUN again. The unit defaults to tone ON when restarting after the loss of power.

3.2.4 ON - OFF

The wall display can be turned on and off without unplugging it. The ON/OFF option does not clear the
programming information stored in memory. Additionally, the internal time clock is continually updated

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OPERATION AND PROGRAMMING

even though the wall display is turned off. Note, actual power to the unit is not lost. The display is
merely turned off. To perform maintenance or set jumpers, the unit MUST BE UNPLUGGED.

To turn the wall display off, press the SHIFT key while pressing the PROGRAM key. The wall display
is turned off. Press the same keys to turn the display back on.

3.2.5 KEYBOARD BATTERIES

The keyboard requires four (4) AAA alkaline batteries.

Note: The batteries MUST BE ALKALINE. To access the battery compartment, turn the

keyboard over and slide the cover forward. Replace batteries as needed.

3.3 PROGRAMMING DETAILS

The following sections describe the programming operations of the display.

3.3.1 MEMORY STRUCTURE

The bc632D has eight memory locations which can each store a time source, label, format, color,
duration, and link flag. Each memory location is called a "step" since they can be linked together to
form a sequence of steps.

In the simplest case, all steps are unlinked. When a step is selected, the time source, label, etc. for that
source are used to form the display.

Steps can be linked together to form sequenced displays. For example, Steps 2 through 5 could be
linked together so that the message displays:

1. "Welcome to" ... for 2 seconds.

2. "Bancomm" ... for 2 seconds.

3. "The time is" ... for 2 seconds.

4. xx:xx:xx ... for 4 seconds.

(In a repeating sequence.)

3.3.2 SELECTING STEPS

When you enter the program mode, you may change the settings for step 1. You can always tell which
step you are editing by the number in the prompt. You may access the other steps at any time, by
pressing SHIFT-n, where n is the number of the step you want to access, from 1 to 8.

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CHAPTER THREE

When the display is running, the SHIFT-n keys also select the step. If the step is part of a sequence,
then the sequence will begin with the step that you selected.

If the display changes from one step to another, and the time changes between the two steps, the
display will have to acquire the new time source. If the time source is not present, then the display may
stay in this state, looking for the time source. If the time source is present, the display may take several
seconds to acquire it. For this reason, it is not recommended that you change time sources within a
sequence, unless you can tolerate lapses in the time display while the bc632D acquires the time source.

3.3.3 EDITING

When entering a label or setting the clock time, one character will flash. The flashing character is the
cursor. The cursor shows you where the next character will appear.

The four keys on the bottom row of the keyboard are used during editing. The BACK and ADV keys
are used to move the cursor right or left so that you can edit different parts of the message. The
INSERT key is used to switch between the overtype mode of editing and the insert mode. Normally, if
you type a character it replaces the next character in the string. When you press the INSERT key, new
characters are inserted between existing characters. Pressing INSERT again returns you to overtyping.
When the insert mode is active, the prompt at the left end of the display changes to the word
"INSERT." When you press the DELETE key, the character under the cursor is removed and any
following characters are shifted one position to the left.

3.3.4 SOURCE - SELECT TIME SOURCE

Pressing SOURCE causes the display to show the input source, which will be one of the following:

1. Channel 1.

2. Channel 2.

3. Channel 3.

4. Channel 4.

5. Channel 5.

6. Channel 6.

7. Digital Time.

8. Time Code.

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OPERATION AND PROGRAMMING

9. Internal Clock.
a. Datum CD0.

Channels 1 through 6 are individual channels in Datum's multiplexed time transmission system.

Digital Time is Datum's Digital Time Protocol. This protocol uses the RS-485 serial ports to
synchronize displays to within one microsecond. If this transmission is interrupted, the display continues
with its last known time and rate.

Time Code is IRIG B, IRIG A, 2137 and NASA 36, all auto-selected.

The bc632D will maintain synchronization to the time code to within 1 millisecond. If the time code is
interrupted, the display will continue with its last known time and rate.

Datum CD0 is a pseudo IRIG B countdown Time Code. The display synchronizes to the external time
code within 1 millisecond. If the time code is lost, the display will not continue to count. Refer to Figure
3-2 for time code format.

You may run through the list of time sources by pressing the SELECT key, or you may use the numbers
"1" through "A" to select the corresponding time source.

Pressing the zero ("0") key will cause the display to revert to the current time source.

Once you have selected the time source, you may press the RUN key to operate with that time source,
or you may press one of the other programming keys.

3.3.5 LABEL - EDIT TEXT LABELS

The LABEL function lets you set an alphanumeric label for each step. When you press the LABEL
key, the display will show the prompt "LBLn," where n is the step you are editing. Labels can be up to
14 characters long, but fewer characters may actually be displayed, depending on the display format
selected.

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CHAPTER THREE

3.3.6 FORMAT - CHANGE DISPLAY FORMAT

Pressing the FORMAT key displays a sample of the current display format. You may use the SELECT
key and number keys to select a new format. Formats 1 through 5 do not show the status lights on the
right-hand end of the display.

1. C DDD HH:MM:SS
(C = Source Code, Clock would be blank.)

2. LABEL HH:MM:SS
(Uses the first 5 label characters.)

3. DW MON/D/YR
(DW = Day of week (MON-SUN), MON/D/YR is month, day, year.)

4. LBL DDD.FRACT
(LBL = first three label characters, DDD = days, FRACT = 1/10,000 of a day.)

5. LABEL
(Alphanumeric label with no time data.)

Formats 6 through 10 are identical to steps 1 through 5 except that the status lights on the right-hand
end of the display are active.

6. C DDD HH:MM:SS
(C = Source Code, Clock would be blank.)

7. LABEL HH:MM:SS
(Uses the first 5 label characters.)

8. DW MON/D/YR
(DW = Day of week (MON-SUN), MON/D/YR is month, day, year.)

9. LBL DDD.FRACT
(LBL = first three label characters, DDD = days, FRACT = 1/10,000 of a day.)

10. LABEL
(Alphanumeric label with no time data.)

In format 1, the first character displays the time source or time code format that is being decoded. The
following are possible:

1 = Multiplexed time channel 1.

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OPERATION AND PROGRAMMING

2 = Multiplexed time channel 2.

3 = Multiplexed time channel 3.

4 = Multiplexed time channel 4.

5 = Multiplexed time channel 5.

6 = Multiplexed time channel 6.

A = IRIG A time code format.

B = IRIG B time code format.

C = 2137 time code format.

D = Digital time protocol.

N = NASA 36 time code format.

(blank) = Internal real time clock.

When Datum CD0 mode is selected, the following display format is used:

CD SH HH:MM:SS

CD = pseudo IRIG B Countdown code format.

S = +/- sign.

H = Hold/Run mode.

L = Lost Signal.

3.3.7 COLOR - CHANGE DISPLAY COLOR

The COLOR key is used to select the color of the time display when it is running. It does not affect the
colors used in Program mode. The display will show the prompt "COLn," where n is the current step.
Press use the SELECT key or the number keys to select a color.

1. RED

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CHAPTER THREE

2. GREEN

3. YELLOW

3.3.8 DURATION - CHANGE RUN TIME OF A STEP

This key is used to set the number of seconds that a step will run. If the step is not linked in a sequence,
then the duration value has no effect. The display will show the prompt "DURn," where n is the current
step. Use the editing keys to enter a number between 0 and 255. When entering numbers, you must
use leading zeroes. For example, 10 seconds would be entered as "010."

3.3.9 LINK - LINK TO NEXT STEP

The LINK key allows you to link the current step to the next step to form a sequence. Press SELECT
to toggle between ON and OFF. If link is ON, the display will show this step for the time set in
DURATION, and then it will display the next step. If link is OFF, then the display will run the step for
its DURATION and then go to the beginning of the sequence. The last step in a sequence must have its
link turned OFF. If the link is ON for step 8, then the sequence will continue with step 1.

3.3.10 MASTER (SHIFT-C) - ENABLE DIGITAL TIME MASTER TRANSMISSIONS

The MASTER key can be used to enable or disable the digital time transmissions of the bc632D. If
several displays are wired together on the same network, one can act as a time master for the network.
The remaining displays on the network can synchronize to the master's digital time signals.

To enable this bc632D as a digital time master, use the SELECT key to change MASTER to ON.
Otherwise leave it OFF.

3.3.11 SET TIME (SHIFT-D) - SET INTERNAL CLOCK

The SET TIME key is used to set the time of the Real Time Clock.

There are three ways to set the time of the RTC. First, the clock can be set manually by typing in the
desired time using the remote keyboard. Second, the clock can be synchronized once to the current
time source. And third, the display can be programmed to synchronize to the current source each time
the unit is powered up.

TIME HH:MM:SS DD/MM/YR Set internal clock.

Sync clock? Synchronize clock to time code.

et Autosync? Synchronize clock on every power-up.

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OPERATION AND PROGRAMMING

Clr Autosync? Turn off Autosync feature.

When the first item is displayed, the number keys can not be used to select the other items in the list,
since the number keys are used to set the time. However, the number keys do select items in the list
when items 2 through 4 are displayed.

When you first press the SET TIME key, the display will read "TIME hh:mm:ss." You may press the
ADV key to scroll through the current time, and make changes. Or, you can type in the new time in
exactly the format shown above. The day of week will be calculated automatically by the bc632D.

The "Sync clock" item lets you set the internal clock to the same time as the current time source. The
message will be "Sync clock?" You may press “Y,” RETURN, or RUN to start the setting process. If
you do not want to synchronize the clock to the time source, you may press a number key (1-4) or
SELECT to select another item, or you may press PROGRAM to abort.

Autosync sets the display to automatically synchronize the internal clock to the time source each time
power is applied to the display. When the display reads "Set Autosync?" you may press “Y,”
RETURN, or RUN to activate this feature. If you do not want to activate the autosync feature, you
may press a number key (1-4) or SELECT to select another item, or you may press PROGRAM to
abort.

The autosync feature is disabled by selecting the message "Clr Autosync?" and pressing “Y,” RETURN,
or RUN. If you do not want to deactivate the autosync feature, you may press a number key (1-4) or
SELECT to select another item, or you may press PROGRAM to abort.

3.3.12 EVENT (SHIFT-E) - CHANGE EVENT CAPTURE PARAMETERS

The bc632D can display the time at which an external event occurred. The event time is displayed to
milliseconds.

E: HH:MM:SS.mmm Captured Time. (mmm = milliseconds).

Clear Event? Clear the current event time to allow for a new event.

Rising Edge? Set event to be captured when input goes high.

Falling Edge? Set event to be captured when input goes low.

No Edge? Disables event capture input.

When you first press the EVENT key, the display will read "E: --- --: --.--." If a time has previously
been captured, the dashes will be replaced by digits indicating the time of the event. To clear the event

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CHAPTER THREE

and allow for a new one, press '2' or SELECT to display the message, "Clear Event?" You may then
press "Y," RETURN or RUN to clear the event.

The event capture can detect rising edges or falling edges of the input signal. To select a rising edge
detect, press “3” or SELECT to display the message "Rising Edge?" You may press “Y,” RETURN,
or RUN to set the event capture for rising edges. To select a falling edge detect, press “4” or SELECT
to display the message "Falling Edge?" You may press “Y,” RETURN, or RUN to set the event
capture for falling edges. To disable the event capture, press “5,” or SELECT to display the message
"No Edge?" You may press “Y,” RETURN, or RUN to disable event capture. If you do not want to
change the edge polarity of the event capture you may press a number key (1-6) or SELECT to select
another item, or you may press PROGRAM to abort.

3.3.13 ADDR (SHIFT-F) - CHANGE LOCAL ADDRESS.

The address key is used to enter a local address so a remote computer can selectively program
displays.

The address is three characters long. Any character can be used, and case is significant; "Adr" is not
the same as "adr" or "ADR." When entering addresses, be careful of using zero or the letter "Oh," since
both look identical on the display.

Address "000" (all zeroes) is a "wildcard" address. All displays will respond to commands that begin
with this address.

3.3.14 PROGRAM RETENTION

The wall display will retain programming information for approximately one month after a power
interruption without access to power. However, to ensure sufficient charging time, the wall display must
be plugged into a power source for at least eight hours prior to a power interruption. If the unit is
plugged into a power source for only a short time, the unit's information retention time will be shorter.

When power is restored to the unit, the previously programmed parameters will be used automatically.

3.4 PROGRAMMING SUMMARY

PROGRAM: Select time source

1. Serial Channel 1.

2. Serial Channel 2.

3. Serial Channel 3.

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OPERATION AND PROGRAMMING

4. Serial Channel 4.

5. Serial Channel 5.

6. Serial Channel 6.

7. Digital Time.

8. Time Code.

9. Internal Clock.
a. Datum CD0

LABEL: Edit label.

FORMAT: Select display format.

1. C DDD HH:MM:SS
(C = Source Code, Clock would be blank.)

2. LABEL HH:MM:SS
(Uses the first 5 label characters.)

3. DW MON/D/YR
(DW = Day of week (MON-SUN), MON/D/YR is month, day, year.)

4. LBL DDD.FRACT
(LBL = first three label characters, DDD = days, FRACT = 1/10,000 of a day.)

5. LABEL
(Alphanumeric label with no time data.)

Formats 6 through 10 are identical to steps 1 through 5 except that the status lights on the right-hand
end of the display are active.

6. C DDD HH:MM:SS
(C = Source Code, Clock would be blank.)

7. LABEL HH:MM:SS
(Uses the first 5 label characters.)

8. DW MON/D/YR
(DW = Day of week (MON-SUN), MON/D/YR is month, day, year.)

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CHAPTER THREE

9. LBL DDD.FRACT
(LBL = first three label characters, DDD = days, FRACT = 1/10,000 of a day.)

10. LABEL
(Alphanumeric label with no time data.)

COLOR: Select display color.

1. RED

2. GREEN

3. YELLOW

MASTER (SHIFT-C)
Enable digital time master.

SET TIME (SHIFT-D)
Set the time of the internal clock.

TIME HH:MM:SS DD/MM/YR (Set internal clock.)

Sync to TC?

Set Auto Sync?

Clear Auto Sync?

EVENT (SHIFT-E)
Set up event input.

HH:MM:SS.[mmm] (captured time.)

Clear Event? Clear the current event time to allow for a new event.

Rising Edge? Set event to be captured when input goes high.

Falling Edge? Set event to be captured when input goes low.

No Edge? Turn off event capture input.

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OPERATION AND PROGRAMMING

ADDR (SHIFT-F)
Edit local address.

SHIFT-number
Select step (1-8).

3.5 INITIAL PARAMETERS

The bc632D initial factory parameters are shown below:

Source of time Internal real time clock.

Labels All labels are blank.

Formats Format 1 (C DDD:HH:MM:SS).

Color Red.

Duration 000 seconds.

Link Off.

Master Off.

Event Off (No Edge).

Address "000" (all zeroes).

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This Page Intentionally Left Blank.

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CHAPTER FOUR
I/O CONNECTORS

4.0 GENERAL

All I/O signals are available on the rear panel connectors. Time code input is available on the rear panel
BNC connector. The locations of all connectors are shown in Figure 4-1.

Figure 4-1

Connector Location

J2 J4
Event Tx J3 Rx Event

Top View

4.1 J2 EVENT INPUT/1PPS OUTPUT BNC CONNECTOR

J2 is a BNC connector that is normally used as a 1PPS output. It may also be changed via internal
jumper JP4 to an event input. In both cases the signals use standard CMOS/TTL levels. See section

2.1.6 for setting JP4.

4.2 J3 RS-485 SERIAL DIFFERENTIAL INPUT/OUTPUT

A serial RS-485 differential input/output is available on the rear panel phone jack connector J3. The
pinouts for J3 are listed in Tables 4-1 and 4-2. Figure 4-2 shows the orientation of the J3 pins. These
connectors are used for linking bc632D's in a network configuration using Datum's Digital Time
protocol. Standard telephone wire can be used to connect Slave bc632D's to a Master. The bc632D
can also be used as a Digital Time master.

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CHAPTER FOUR

The output port can also be used for diagnostic purposes. The bc632D broadcasts time, measured
code period, code detection status, code search status, software version and date code, AGC slice
level , and control byte information. Data is sent at 9600 baud, 8 data bits, one stop bit, no parity. Each
line is terminated by a cariage return (0DH) and a line feed (0AH).

The Tx(-) signal will drive most RS-232 interfaces such as a serial port to a PC. The data pacing
signals RTS, CTS, DSR and DTR may need to be jumpered depending on the specific terminal
emulation software in use.

Table 4-1

J3-RX Serial RS-485 I/O Pinouts

J3-RX Signal Description

1 RS-232 IN / Control Rx (+).
2 Ground.
3 DATA RX (-).
4 DATA RX (+).
5 Ground.
6 RS-232 OUT / Control Rx (-).

Table 4-2

J3-TX Serial RS-485 I/O Pinouts

J3-TX Signal Description

1 Control Bus Tx (+).
2 Ground.
3 DATA TX (+).
4 DATA TX (-).
5 Ground.
6 Control Bus Tx (-).

Figure 4-2

J3 Phone Jack Pin Orientation (As viewed from bottom of unit.)

RX TX

1 3 5 1 3 5

2 4 6 2 4 6

4-2 bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) Datum Inc

I/O CONNECTORS

4.2.1 SERIAL OUTPUT MESSAGES

When a valid time code signal is being decoded, a packet of data is sent every second, about half a
second after the 1PPS signal occurs. The following are examples of message data when decoding
the respective time code signals, real time clock, and other time sources. All lines are terminated by a
carriage return and line feed characters.

Initialization Message:

bc632D f/w #9501066 9/30/92
initialization complete

time source = XX

Decoding modulated time code:

*
(Time code type) {iriga, irigb, nasa36, 2137}
lev = XX {X represents a hexadecimal digit}
dif = XXXX
Time yy ddd hh:mm:ss.:::::: {See Note 7}

Using internal clock:

**
RTC
dif = XXXX
Time yy ddd hh:mm:ss.:::::: {See Note 7.}

Decoding RTC, DC Level Shift time code:

*
(Time Source) {iriga - dcls, irigb - dcls, nasa36 - dcls }
dif = XXXX
Time yy ddd hh:mm:ss.:::::: {See Note 7.}

Searching for time code:

checking (time code type){Modulated time code: irigb, iriga, nasa36, 2137}
lev = cannot find (time code type)

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CHAPTER FOUR

checking (time code type){Non-modulated time codes: irigb - dcls, iriga - dcls, nasa36 - dcls}

cannot find (time code type)

Time code error message:

decode error !!

Flywheeling message:

*
flywheeling!!
Time yy ddd hh:mm:ss.::::::

Notes:

• "lev" is a hex representation of the "slice" level of a modulated time code. It is used to determine

whether a cycle is a high or low cycle.

• "dif" is hexadecimal representation of the time code period measurement. It is used to scale the

internal time. The dif value reflects the difference between the internal crystal and the external time
signal.

• No data is transmitted out the serial port when the bc632D is set up as a Slave.

• RS-485 data is only received by the bc632D when the display is configured as a Slave. The normal

message data broadcast from the Master is decoded by the Slave for time synchronization.

• No control codes or commands are accepted through the time bus.

• The RS-485 messages were provided primarily for diagnostic purposes. However, you may use

the data to obtain time externally from the board. Once a valid time code is being decoded,
time/message data is broadcast once each second about 1/2 second after the 1PPS signal. The
time being broadcast, following the "Time" label, is valid at the rising edge of the preceding 1PPS
pulse.

• µ µ µ µ µ gives time offset information for the digital time protocol.

4.3 J4 TIMECODE INPUT BNC CONNECTOR

The BNC connector J4 can be chosen to carry one of three different signals from the bc632D. The
signal desired is selected with jumper JP7. See Section 2.1.9 to set jumper JP7.

4-4 bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) Datum Inc

CHAPTER FIVE
ADJUSTMENTS

5.0 PHASE-LOCKED LOOP ADJUSTMENT

The bc632D has a single adjustment which should never require alteration by the user. This section
outlines a method for correctly setting the phase-locked loop adjustment, variable resistor RV1. The
following steps assume that the power is applied and the bc632D rear cover has been removed to allow
access by an oscilloscope probe. A source of IRIG B timecode is required.

• Using the remote control, select “'Timecode” as the source of time.

• Input the IRIG B timecode through the BNC connector (J4).

• Use pin 16 of U13 as the input to channel A of a dual channel oscilloscope. Use the reference

carrier selected in (2) above as the input to channel B of the oscilloscope. Use channel A as the
oscilloscope horizontal synch input.

• The signal on pin 16 of U13 (channel A) is a square wave with nominal frequency of 1kHz. It will

jump to 10kHz periodically when the unit is looking for IRIG A time code, and will turn off when it
is looking for DC level shift time codes. Adjust R6 so that the negative going transitions of the 1kHz
square wave are centered on the negative "peaks" of the carrier. See figure 1.0 below. The signal
on pin 16 of U13 should remain at 1kHz once the unit has started decoding the IRIG B input.

Figure 5-1

Phase-Locked Loop Adjustment

Datum Inc bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) 5-1

CHAPTER FIVE

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5-2 bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) Datum Inc

CHAPTER SIX
DRAWING SET

6.0 GENERAL

This chapter contains the schematic diagram, assembly drawing, and parts list for the bc632D, following
page 6-2.

Datum Inc bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) 6-1

CHAPTER SIX

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6-2 bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) Datum Inc

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APPENDIX A
DIGITAL TIME TRANSMISSION PROTOCOL

A.0 INTRODUCTION

This document defines the Digital Time Transmission Protocol as used by Datum timing products. The
protocol allows devices to be synchronized to a common source of time. In addition, it allows several
devices (typically displays) to synchronize to multiple time references using a common cable.

A.1 PHYSICAL

A.1.1 DEVICE CONNECTORS

Each device will have at least one RJ11 connector for receiving timing signals. Optionally, the device
can have a second RJ11 for transmitting or daisy-chaining the signal.

The pin assignments for the devices are as follows:

Receiver Transmitter:

1 n.c. 1 n.c.
2 GND 2 GND
3 TX(+) 3 RX(-)
4 TX(-) 4 RX(+)
5 GND 5 GND
6 n.c. 6 n.c.

A.2 SIGNAL DESCRIPTION

TX(+), TX(-)

5-Volt balanced signal, complying with EIA RS-485. These lines carry the timing signals. Several
transmitters may share the same line.

RX(+), RX(-)

5-Volt balanced receiver, complying with EIA RS-485. These lines carry the timing signals. Several
transmitters may share the same line.

GND

Signal ground.

n.c.

Not Connected. These pins are not used. Do not connect to these pins unless you have a specific
use for them.

Datum Inc bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) A-1

APPENDIX A

A.3 CABLE

Connections are made using a 6-conductor RJ11 jack. The cable has an RJ11 plug on each end, wired
in this way:

1 6
2 5
3 4
4 3
5 2
6 1

This is the wiring of a standard phone cable. Conductors on pins 1 and 6 are not used, and they can be
omitted in the cable.

A.4 DAISY-CHAINING

You may connect a limited number of devices on a network by daisy-chaining. Daisy-chaining is simple
to install. However, the drawback is that any connector failure in the middle of the chain will block
timing signals to devices beyond the failure. Daisy-chaining more than five devices is not recommended.

If a device has both a transmit and receive jack, they should be connected internally like this:

RX TX
1 6
2 GND 5 GND
3 4
4 3
2 GND 2 GND
1 1

This arrangement allows the signal to be daisy-chained. Drivers should be selected that do not load the
line excessively when power to the device is off. This allows a device to be turned off without shutting
down the whole network or breaking the daisy-chain.

A-2 bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) Datum Inc

DIGITAL TIME TRANSMISSION PROTOCOL

Using this connector arrangement yields a connection like this:

RX TX RX TX RX TX RX TX
device * device device device
. . .

* Denotes termination by internal 100Ω resistors.

4 - or 6 - conductor phone cable with RJ11 male connectors.

Device RH11 Port (female mating connector).

And a detailed view of the signal paths is shown here:

Device 1 Device 2

TX RX TX
6 n.c cable 1 n.c 6 n.c. cable
5 GND 2 GND 5 GND
4 TX (-) 3 RX (-) 4 TX (-) . . .
3 TX (+) 4 RX (+) 3 TX (+)
2 GND 5 GND 2 GND
1 n.c. 6 n.c. 1 n.c.

A.5 BUSSING

Large numbers of devices should be connected in a bussed arrangement. Up to 32 devices may be
connected this way, with a maximum cable length of 4,000 feet. The main bus should be a shielded
twisted pair to increase noise immunity. Stubs off the main bus should be kept as short as possible.

Datum Inc bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) A-3

APPENDIX A

♦ . . . ♦

RX TX RX TX RX TX RX TX
device * . . . device device device *

Device RJ11 Port (female mating connector).

4 conductor phone cable with RJ11 male connectors.

Wall mount junction connector with female RJ11 mating connector.

Termination

Choice of one of the following methods:

♦ Denotes external junction connector with female RJ11 mating connector.

* Denotes termination by on-board 100Ω resistors (necessary if RS-485 line is not
externally terminated).

A.6 TERMINATION

Each end of a network should be terminated with a 100Ω ¼ Watt resistor between pins 2 and 5. This
may be an external resistor, or a resistor inside the unit at the end of the cable.

A.7 LOGICAL DESCRIPTION

A.7.1 BIT RATE, PARITY AND FRAMING BITS.

The timing signals are sent as asynchronous serial messages. Characters are sent at 9600 BPS, with
one start bit, one stop bit, and no parity bit.

A-4 bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) Datum Inc

DIGITAL TIME TRANSMISSION PROTOCOL

A.7.2 MESSAGE FORMATS

There are three possible message formats. A device may be designed to read any or all of them.

A.7.3 DIGITAL TIME - CHARACTER MODE

Digital time is the highest-precision method of transmission. With good local clocks, synchronization to
less than 5 microseconds is easily achieved. A digital time message consists of two messages in this
format:

* <CR> <LF>

Time YY+DDD HH:MM:SS.:::::: <CR> <LF>

Where:

"*" is an asterisk, which is transmitted as soon after to the on-time mark
as possible. It is followed by a carriage return ($0D) and a line feed
($0A).

There is a space after the word Time, and case is significant.

"YY" is two ASCII numeric characters representing the year, followed by a
space. Numbers from "90" to "99" refer to 1990-1999 and numbers
from "00" to "89" refer to 2000-2089.

"+" is a single character representing the sign of the time. It may be "+"
or " ", representing time greater or equal to zero, or "-" representing
time less than zero. It may be ignored for receiving devices that do
not operate with count down times.

"DDD" is three ASCII numeric characters representing days, followed by a
space. This can range from "000 " to "999."

"HH:" is two ASCII numeric characters representing hours, followed by a
col on. This can range from "00:" to "23:."

"MM:" is two ASCII numeric characters representing minutes, followed by
a colon. This can range from "00:" to "59:."

Datum Inc bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) A-5

APPENDIX A

"SS." is two ASCII numeric characters representing seconds, followed by
a period. This can range from "00:" to "59:."

“µ µ µ µ µ µ” is six ASCII hexadecimal characters representing the time tag of the

beginning of the stop bit of the asterisk. The unit of time is a
half-microsecond (see "Time Tags" below). It is followed by a
carriage return ($0D) and a line feed ($0A).

The message must be transmitted within the one second period following the on-time mark.

A.7.4 DIGITAL TIME - PULSE MODE

In some master devices, the serial transmitter is not available to send a reference character near the
on-time mark. In that case, an alternative format is used. In this format, the reference is an 8 uS
low -going pulse near the on time mark. Receiving devices can detect the pulse by setting the baud rate
to 125kbps. The pulse will be received as an $FF character with no framing errors.

The format of the message is:

8 µs pulse.

* * <CR> <LF>
Time YY+DDD HH:MM:SS.µ µ µ µ µ µ <CR> <LF>

Where:

The pulse must be sent within the first 32.760 ms after the
true on-ti me mark.

There is a space after the word Time, and case is significant.

"**" is two asterisks followed by a carriage return ($0D) and a
line feed ($0A).

“µ µ µ µ µ µ” is six ASCII hexadecimal characters representing the time
tag of the trailing edge of the reference pulse. The unit of
time is a half-microsecond (See "Time Tags" below). It is
followed by a carriage return $0D) and a line feed ($0A).

A-6 bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) Datum Inc

DIGITAL TIME TRANSMISSION PROTOCOL

The remainder of the message is the same as in the previous section.

The message must be transmitted within the one second period following the on-time mark.

Note: If the receiving device remains at 9600 BPS, it may detect the 8 microsecond pulse as a

start pulse and interpret this as a character, or it may ignore it completely, depending on the
serial receiver. The reference pulse may also be thought of as a valid asynchronous character
$FF at 125K Baud.

A.7.5 MULTIPLEX TIME

The multiplex time protocol is similar to the digital time protocol. It is intended for an installation of
several displays which may have to show different times. It uses the same physical wiring configuration.

The format of the multiplexed time messages is:

CHNx YY+DDD HH:MM:SS.:::::: <CR> <LF>

Where:

"CHN" is all capitals.

"x " is an ASCII character specifying the channel, followed by a space.

"::::::" is six ASCII hexadecimal characters representing the time tag of the
beginning of the stop bit of the first "C" in the "CHN" message. The
unit of time is a half-microsecond (see "Time Tags" below). It is
followed by a carriage return ($0D) and a line feed ($0A).

The other fields are the same as above.

The message must be transmitted within the one second period following the on-time mark.

Datum Inc bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) A-7

APPENDIX A

A.8 TIME TAGS

Receiving devices can read the time message to keep their clocks synchronized to within one second.
To adjust to tighter synchronization, the receivers must adjust their clocks to the true on-time mark using
the time tags.

Each message has a reference point. For digital time, the reference point is the stop bit of the first
asterisk, or the trailing edge of the 8 uS reference pulse. For multiplex time, the reference point is the
stop bit of the first 'C' of the "CHN" message.

The time tags specify the number of half-microsecond units between the master's on-time mark and the
reference point. For example, a value of "0007D0" indicates that the stop bit of the most recent
reference character was sent at 1000 microseconds after the on-time mark (7D0 hex = 2000 decimal,
2000 * 0.5 microseconds = 1000 microseconds).

A-8 bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) Datum Inc

APPENDIX B
bc632D CONTROL BUS PROTOCOL

B.0 INTRODUCTION

Receiving devices can read the time message to keep their clocks synchronized to within one second.
To adjust to tighter synchronization, the receivers must adjust their clocks to the true on-time mark using
the time tags.

Each message has a reference point. For digital time, the reference point is the stop bit of the first
asterisk, or the trailing edge of the 8 uS reference pulse. For multiplex time, the reference point is the
stop bit of the first “C” of the "CHN" message.

The time tags specify the number of half-microsecond units between the master's on-time mark and the
reference point. For example, a value of "0007D0" indicates that the stop bit of the most recent
reference character was sent at 1000 microseconds after the on-time mark (7D0 hex = 2000 decimal,
2000 * 0.5 microseconds = 1000 microseconds).

Figure B-1

IBM PC Compatible Connection

IBM PC Compatible bc632D J3-RX
RS-232 25-pin female RJ11

Pin Pin
2 1 RS-232 IN
1 2 GND
3 6 RS-232

Because both transmitters and receivers are connected to the same pair of lines, all characters
transmitted by the computer will be echoed back to the receiver. This is a good way to determine
whether or not the physical connection has been made correctly.

B.1 RS-485 SIGNALS

The signals carried between bc632D's are RS-485 compatible. The two RJ11 jacks on each display
are wired together so that standard telephone cable can be used between devices. Standard telephone
cables are wired as shown in Figure B-2. Notice that signals get swapped between pins 1 and 6; 2 and
5; and 3 and 4 from one end of the cable to the other. The wiring inside the displays swaps the signals
back to the correct pins to continue the daisy-chain. Because of the internal swapping, the control bus
will not operate properly with cable that is wired pin 1 to pin 1.

Datum Inc bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) B-1

APPENDIX B

Figure B-2

Standard RJ-11 Telephone Cable

1 6
2 5
3 4
4 3
5 2
6 1

B.2 DAISY-CHAINING

You may connect a limited number of displays on a network by daisy-chaining. Daisy-chaining has the
advantage of being simple to install, with the drawback being that any connector failure in the middle of
the chain will block control signals to devices beyond the failure. Daisy-chaining more than five devices
is not recommended. A daisy-chained configuration is shown below.

Computer RX TX RX TX RX TX
bc632D * bc632D bc632D *
. . .

* Denotes termination by internal 100Ω resistors.

6-condu ctor phone cable with RJ11 male connectors.

RS-232 cable described above.

Device RJ11 port (female mating connector).

B.3 BUSSING

Large numbers of devices should be connected in a bussed arrangement. Up to 32 devices may be
connected this way, with a maximum cable length of 4000 feet. The main bus should be a shielded
twisted pair to increase noise immunity. Stubs off the main bus should be kept as short as possible. If
one display is connected to a computer using RS-232 signals, then it must be connected to the bus from

B-2 bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) Datum Inc

bc632D CONTROL BUS PROTOCOL

it’s TX jack using a straight-through cable; that is, one that has pin 1 wired to pin 1. This is because the
RX jack is occupied by the cable to the computer, and pins are reversed on the TX jack.

♦ . . . ♦

Computer RX TX RX TX RX TX
* bc632D bc632D bc632D *

Device RJ11 port (female mating connector).

6 conductor phone cable with RJ11 male connectors.

6 conductor cable WIRED STRAIGHT THROUGH (pin 1 to pin 1).

Wall mount junction connector with female RJ11 mating connector.

Termination

Choice of ONE of these methods:

♦ Denotes external 100Ω termination on RS-485 line.

* Denotes termination by on-board 100Ω resistors. (Necessary if RS-485 line is not

externally terminated.)

B.4 TERMINATION

Each end of a network should be terminated with a 100Ω ¼ Watt resistor between pin 2 and 5. This
resistor may be inside the unit at the end of the cable or an external unit.

B.5 LOGICAL DESCRIPTION

B.5.1 BIT RATE, PARITY AND FRAMING BITS.

Datum Inc bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) B-3

APPENDIX B

The control signals are sent as asynchronous serial messages. Characters are sent at 9600 baud, with
one start bit, one stop bit and no parity bit.

B.5.2 COMMAND FORMATS

There are two different ways to program the bc632D. You may use the remote keyboard or you may
program it with the serial port. However, you can not do both simultaneously. Commands should not
be issued while the unit is being programmed with the remote keyboard.

The following sections define the formats of the commands that are recognized by the bc632D. All lines
are terminated by a carriage return/line feed. Letters may be upper or lower case. There is only one
space between fields.

B.5.2.1 ADDRESS

Each display on the network is programmed with a unique three-character address using the remote
keyboard. The address cannot be changed using the serial port. All displays on the network monitor all
the messages on the network but only respond after they have received an address message with their
own address. The format of the address message is:

ADDR xxx

where xxx is the three-character address.

Valid characters for the address are all ASCII values between Space (ASCII $20) and tilde
('~', ASCII $7E) inclusive. The address stays in effect until the next END command is received.

Address 000 is a wildcard address. All displays will respond to commands preceded by ADDR 000.

B.5.2.2 EVENT

The Event command configures the event capture input of the display. The message format is:

EVENT x

Where x is one of:

R - event capture on Rising edges.
F - event capture on Falling edges.
O - turn event capture Off and.
C - Clear last event captured.

B-4 bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) Datum Inc

bc632D CONTROL BUS PROTOCOL

B.5.2.3 MASTER

When several displays are connected in a network, only one can be the time Master. The Master
transmits time messages to all other displays on the network. Turning Master OFF inhibits the display
from transmitting time messages. The message format is:

MASTER x

where x is 0 (Master off) or 1 (Master on).

B.5.2.4 SET REAL TIME CLOCK

To set the internal clock of the bc632D, use this command:

TIME hh:mm:ss MM/dd/yy w

Where:

hh is the hours.
mm is minutes.
ss is seconds.
MM is month.
dd is day of month.
yy is year.
w is day of week (1=Monday, 7=Sunday).

Use leading zeros if necessary. For Example, 1:00:00 am, February 3, 1992, Monday, would be sent
as:

TIME 01:00:00 02/03/92 1.

Datum Inc bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) B-5

APPENDIX B

B.5.2.5 SOURCE

Each step of the display sequence has a time source associated with it. To program the source use this
command:

SOURCE s x

Where:

s is the step (1-8)
x is one of
1 - Multiplex channel 1.
2 - Multiplex channel 2.
3 - Multiplex channel 3.
4 - Multiplex channel 4.
5 - Multiplex channel 5.
6 - Multiplex channel 6.
7 - Digital Time slave.
8 - Timecode input.
9 - Internal Real time clock.
A - Datum CD0.

B.5.2.6 LABEL

Each step has a text label which can be displayed along with the time. The format of the Label message
is:

LABEL s labeltext

Where:

s is the step (1-8).
labeltext is the content of the label, up to 14 characters.

B-6 bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) Datum Inc

bc632D CONTROL BUS PROTOCOL

B.5.2.7 FORMAT

Each step is programmed with its own display format. The format message is:

FORMAT s x

Where:

s is step (1-8).
x is the format (1-9).

The format numbers are the same ones that are used when programming from the remote keyboard.

Formats 1 through 5 do not show the status lights on the right-hand end of the display.

1. C DDD HH:MM:SS
(C = Source Code, Clock would be blank.)

2. LABEL HH:MM:SS
(Uses the first 5 label characters.)

3. DW MON/D/YR
(DW = Day of week (MON-SUN), MON/D/YR is month, day, year.)

4. LBL DDD.FRACT
(LBL = first three label characters, DDD= days, FRACT = 1/10,000 of a day.)

5. LABEL
(Alphanumeric label with no time data.)

Datum Inc bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) B-7

APPENDIX B

Formats 6 through 10 are identical to steps 1 through 5 except that the status lights on the right-hand
end of the display are active.

6. C DDD HH:MM:SS
(C = Source Code, Clock would be blank.)

7. LABEL HH:MM:SS
(Uses the first 5 label characters.)

8. DW MON/D/YR
(DW = Day of week (MON-SUN), MON/D/YR is month, day, year.)

9. LBL DDD.FRACT
(LBL = first three label characters, DDD= days, FRACT = 1/10,000 of a day.)

10. LABEL
(Alphanumeric label with no time data.)

B.5.2.8 COLOR

To change the color of a step, use this command:

COLOR s x

Where:

s is the step (1-8)
x is the color:

1 - Red.
2 - Green.
3 - Yellow.

B-8 bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) Datum Inc

bc632D CONTROL BUS PROTOCOL

B.5.2.9 DURATION

To change the duration of a step, use this command:

DURATION s xxx

Where:

s is step (1-8).
xxx is three-digit seconds, 000 to 255.

Leading zeroes must be used with seconds less than 100.

B.5.2.10 LINK

Each step may be linked to the following step to form a sequence.

To program the link, use this command:

LINK s x

Where:

s is step (1-8).
x is 0 (Link off) or 1 (Link on).

B.5.2.11 HALT

The Halt command turns off time-keeping in the display so that it can keep up with a large number of
commands sent without delays. This command will freeze the display, then restart it when the END
command is received. The restart sequence is similar to the power-on sequence. The Halt command is
not required if a short message is sent, for example "ADDR AAA/COLOR 1 2/END."

The Halt command is simply:

HALT

B.5.2.12 STEP

To force the display to jump to a specific step, use the Step command. This is equivalent to pressing
SHIFT-<number> on the remote keyboard. The format is:

STEP s

Datum Inc bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) B-9

APPENDIX B

Where s is the step (1-8).

B.5.2.13 SET

The bc632d can be used as a standalone timer for countdown/countup operations. The Set command
is used to initialize countdown operation and set the starting time. Unlike the Time command, Set does
not affect the contents of the internal clock. When the Set command is issued, the display will
immediately show the time that has been set. The timer does not begin running until the Start command
is received.

There are a couple of things to keep in mind when using the countdown mode. Countdown mode only
works correctly with a single-step sequence. You can not have a sequence of display formats as
described in the Section 3.3.1 of the bc632D User’s Guide. The time source should be programmed to
the Internal clock. On power-up, the display will show the contents of the internal clock, as normal.
When the display receives any of the countdown commands (Set, Start, or Stop) the display is forced
into countdown mode. From this point on, the display will not show the internal clock time. If you wish
to resume operation using the internal clock, you can send a Halt command followed by an End
command. This sequence will reset the display to normal operation.

The only display formats that shows the plus/minus sign are formats 1 and 6 (C DDD HH:MM:SS). The
first character is replaced with a plus or minus sign.

The Set command can also be used to operate the display in a static mode, where the display itself does
not do any timekeeping. A computer can be programmed to send a Set command once each second to
update the display.

The format of the Set command is:

SET -ddd hh:mm:ss

Where:

- is a plus or minus sign (hyphen).
ddd is days in ASCII.
hh is hours.
mm is minutes.
ss is seconds.

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bc632D CONTROL BUS PROTOCOL

B.5.2.14 START

The Start command is used to begin countdown time-keeping. The display will begin counting from the
preceding time. The time begins counting again within one millisecond after the carriage return at the
end of the Start command.

Start will also restart time-keeping after a Stop command. Since the stop command saves the fractional
part of the second, the start command can begin within one millisecond of where the Stop occurred.

The format of the Start command is:

START

B.5.2.15 STOP

The Stop command will hold the countdown time on the display and freeze the time, including the
fractional part of a second. It can also be used to initiate the countdown mode of operation before a
Set command is issued.

The Stop command is simply:

STOP

B.5.2.16 ECHO

The Echo command tells the display to respond with a description of its internal programming. The
format is:

ECHO

The display will respond with a series of commands that are identical with the ones described in this
appendix. An example response to the Echo command is:

ADDR aaa.
EVENT O.
MASTER 0.
SOURCE 1 9.
LABEL 1 Labeltext1.
FORMAT 1 1.
COLOR 1 1.

Datum Inc bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) B-11

APPENDIX B

DURATION 1 000.
LINK 1 0.
SOURCE 2 1.
LABEL 2 Labeltext2.
... (continued for steps 2-8).
LINK 8 0.
END.

The display waits for three milliseconds after the time the Echo command is sent before beginning its
transmission. This is to give the computer time to disable its RS-485 driver to release the line.
If the computer is connected using the RS-232 interface, the display handles enabling and disabling the
drivers automatically.

Using the Echo command will cause disruptions in timecode decoding, since the display must devote
CPU time to sending the long response message.

A final note about the Echo command: Do not use the Echo command with address 000 if more than
one display is on the network. Doing so will cause all displays to respond at once, resulting in garbled
data.

B.5.2.17 END

The End command is used to terminate a group of commands begun with the Address command. After
the End command is received, all displays are in a state in which they will not respond to any commands
until another valid Address command is received. The End command is:

END

B.6 EXAMPLES

Following are some examples of the commands in use:

Single Step, Internal Clock
This command sequence sets up step 1 to display contents of internal clock.

ADDR 000 Talk to display.
SOURCE 1 9 Set source to internal clock.
FORMAT 1 1 Displ ay C DDD HH:MM:SS format.
COLOR 1 2 Display in green.
LINK 1 0 Do not link to next step.
STEP 1 Start at this step.
END End of programming.

B-12 bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) Datum Inc

bc632D CONTROL BUS PROTOCOL

Set Up Two Displays
This example sets up two displays to show different colors. The displays have been programmed as
address aaa and bbb. The example shows the operation of the Address command.

ADDR 000 Talk to all displays.
SOURCE 1 9 Set source to internal clock for aaa and bbb.
FORMAT 1 2 Display LABEL HH:MM:SS format for aaa and bbb.
LABEL 1 Time: Display will be "Time: HH:MM:SS" for aaa and bbb.
LINK 1 0 Do not link to next step.
ADDR aaa Talk to display aaa. Display bbb will ignore commands. Note that

the End command is not required to change the address.
COLOR 1 1 Set display aaa to red.
ADDR bbb Talk to display bbb. Display aaa will ignore
commands that follow.
COLOR 1 3 Set display bbb to yellow.
END End of programming.

Using Halt for a Long Message

This example shows the use of the Halt command when a lot of data is being sent to a display. The
display only allocates a small portion of its CPU time to processing the serial commands. Most of the
time is taken in decoding time code and updating the display. Because of this, the display can lose
characters when trying to read long messages that have no pauses between characters. There are two
ways to deal with this problem. First, the computer can be programmed to insert pauses between
characters so that the display can keep up. Second, the computer can issue a Halt command to stop
the time-keeping and display update tasks, leaving the CPU free to process characters at full speed.
After the programming is completed, the End command will cause the display to reset itself and start
operating with the new programming. Here is an example that sets up every step of one display.

ADDR bbb Talk to display bbb.
HALT Turn off time-keeping functions.
SOURCE 1 1 Set up time sources for all steps.
SOURCE 2 2
SOURCE 3 3
...
LABEL 1 labeltext1 Set up labels.
...
LINK 8 1 Last command.
END End. At this point display will reset and begin running with

new programming.

Countdown

Datum Inc bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) B-13

APPENDIX B

This display shows a typical sequence of countdown operation. The display is running step 1 and the
time source is the internal clock. Format 1 is being used (C DDD:HH:MM:SS).

ADDR aaa Talk to display aaa.
SET -000 00:00:10 Set time to 10 seconds before zero. The display will freeze,

showing "- 000 00:00:10."

START The display will start counting. Since it starts at the

beginning of the second, there will be one second between
when the Start command is received and when the display
changes to "- 000:00:00:09.”

END End. At this point, the display continues to count past zero

and into positive time values. The computer can freely issue

commands to other displays if desired.
ADDR aaa Talk to display aaa again.
STOP Freeze display and halt time-keeping.
START Resume time keeping.
HALT Issue Halt to stop time-keeping and force a reset to get to

norm al internal clock operation.

END Display aaa resets and resumes displaying internal clock

time.

Datum Standard Countdown (Datum CD0)

This display shows a typical sequence of countdown operation. The display is running step 1 and the
time source is the Datum CD0. A special format is being used (CC SH:HH:MM:SS).

ADDR aaa Talk to display aaa.
SOURCE 1 A Select Datum CD0 mode.
STEP 1
END

B-14 bc632D Wall Mount LED Display (Rev A) Datum Inc