# Trimble Palisade/Thunderbolt/Acutime/Resolution SMT/ACE III/Copernicus & Praecis Receivers

## 1. Synopsis

    Name: trimble
    Reference ID: GPS
    Serial Port: /dev/trimbleu; 9600/38400 bps 8N1/8O1

## 2. Description

The refclock trimble driver version 4.00 supports Trimble Navigation’s Palisade Smart Antenna GPS receiver, Thunderbolt, Acutime 2000, Acutime Gold, Resolution SMT, ACE III and Copernicus II. The EndRun Technologies Praecis Cf, Ct, Ce, and II modules (in Palisade emulation mode) are also supported.

There are a number of different Trimble receivers with "Resolution" as part of their name. The particular receiver supported by this driver is the "Resolution SMT", part number 66974-45. This receiver returns hardware code 3009 decimal when queried by a TSIP Hardware Component Information command packet. It may also support the "Resolution T" receiver (hardware code 3002 decimal) but has not been tested on that device.

## 3. Tested Receivers

The driver has been tested with the following receivers :

Model | Firmware Version
--- | ---
Palisade 26664-00 | 7.12
Praecis Cf 3001-0000-000 | 2.21
Thunderbolt 48051-61 | 3.00
Acutime 2000 39091-00 | 2.02
Acutime Gold 55238-00 | 1.12
Resolution SMT 66974-45 | 1.14
ACE III 39818-00-C | 8.08
Copernicus II 63530-00 | 1.07.01

The driver has been tested with the Palisade, Praecis, Thunderbolt and Acutime receivers on the following host computers:

Processor | Operating System | Note
--- | --- | ---
i686 (PC) | FreeBSD 11.1 | 1
amd64 (PC) | Linux, Gentoo | 2
powerpc64 (Apple) | Linux, Gentoo | 3
sparc64 (Oracle) | Solaris 11.3 | 4

1. HP Pavilion a000, Athlon 64, SIIG CyberPro v5

2. Supermicro X9SCL, E3-1220, onboard serial ports, kernel 4.12.11

3. Power Mac G5(7,2), DP 1.8GHz, StarTech PCI1S550, kernel 4.9.34

4. Sun SPARC Enterprise T5220, onboard serial port, gcc 4.8.2

The driver has been tested with the Resolution SMT, ACE and Copernicus receivers on a Rapsberry Pi 3 running Raspberry Pi OS (Legacy).

## 4. Operating System Serial Port Configuration

The driver attempts to open the device /dev/trimbleu where u is the NTP refclock unit number, or the LSB of the refclock address when using the legacy syntax.

The user must provide a symbolic link to an available serial port device. This is typically performed by a command such as:

OS | Command
--- | ---
FreeBSD | ln -s /dev/ttyu0 /dev/trimble0
Linux | ln -s /dev/ttyS0 /dev/trimble0
Solaris | ln -s /dev/term/a /dev/trimble0
Raspberry Pi OS | ln -s /dev/ttyAMA0 /dev/trimble0

The receivers supported by this driver have a factory default serial port configuration of 8O1 (odd parity) except the Thunderbolt and Copernicus II which default to 8N1 (no parity). They have a factory default serial port speed of 9600 baud except the Copernicus II which defaults to 38400 baud. The driver automatically sets the baud rate and parity of the host to match the receiver’s factory default values.

## 5. NTP Configuration Examples

NTP configuration file "ntp.conf"

    refclock trimble unit X subtype Y

or

    refclock trimble unit X subtype Y time1 Z.ZZZ

Substituting an appropriate unit number for X. For subtype Y refer to this table:

subtype | Model
--- | ---
0 | Palisade
1 | Praecis
2 | Thunderbolt
3 | Acutime 2000 & Acutime Gold
5 | Resolution SMT
6 | ACE III
7 | Copernicus II

Use the time Z.ZZZ option if the delay introduced by decoding of serial messages from the receiver causes the reference clock to appear to be offset compared with other time sources. (If the reference clock appears to have an offset of -50ms for example, set time1 to +0.05.)

## 6. Initial Setup and Testing for Palisade / Acutime Receivers

1. Read the Palisade / Acutime notes.

2. Place the GPS receiver outdoors, with a clear view of the sky for best results — these receivers do not work well indoors.

3. Power up and allow the receiver to obtain UTC offset data. This can take 13 to 30 minutes with outdoor placement, or up to a few hours indoors.

4. Optionally wait for the receiver to pulse its PPS output. The PPS LED will blink if using an interface module; this indicates that the receiver has entered a state that is usable by the driver.

   1. If the PPS is not produced after a few hours: The antenna placement may be suboptimal, the signal level mask values are too high, or PPS was disabled in the receiver. Relocate to a better position, or reset the receiver’s configuration to factory defaults.

5. Connect the host to Port A.

6. Configure the serial I/O port and its symbolic link on the host.

7. Add the refclock to your `ntpd` configuration file.

8. Run `ntpd` with debug level 2 without detaching from the terminal (-d -d -n). Note: debug level 1 may also be used; only errors will be printed to stdout.

9. Check the ntpd event log or stdout for a line similar to TRIMBLE(0) open at /dev/trimble0 to verify that your serial port opened.

10. The driver will print `TSIP_decode` lines to stdout as it processes message packets from the receiver. Note: ntpd must be built with debugging enabled to see `TSIP_decode` `trimble_poll` and `trimble_receive` messages

    1. Check your serial connection if trimble_poll: unit u: no packets found appears.

    2. If no `TSIP_decode` lines are seen within 60s the event triggering method may be incorrect, check your `flag3` setting. It’s also possible that the receiver is misconfigured: try resetting it to factory defaults.

       1. The driver will print the message trimble_poll: unit u: packets found but none were usable to stdout if `flag3` is incorrect, and also if the host is connected to Port B.

11. The driver will print a `trimble_poll` line with a timecode to stdout when time is successfully transferred.

    1. If TSIP_decode lines are seen but trimble_receive never appears:

       1. TSIP_decode lines with Sats: {list of numbers} : Tracking display the number of usable satellites after Tracking. At least four must be tracking if the receiver does not have a valid stored position, but only one is needed if it does.

       2. TSIP_decode lines with unusable tracking status will appear if there are insufficient usable satellites.

## 7. Initial Setup and Testing for Thunderbolt Receivers

1. Read the Thunderbolt notes.

2. Place the GPS antenna outdoors, with a clear view of the sky for best results — Thunderbolt is not very good at tracking weak signals.

3. Power up and allow the receiver to obtain UTC offset data. This can take 13 to 30 minutes with outdoor placement, or up to a few hours indoors.

4. Configure the serial I/O port and its symbolic link on the host.

5. Add the refclock to your `ntpd` configuration file.

6. Run `ntpd` with debug level 2 without detaching from the terminal (-d -d -n). Note: debug level 1 may also be used; only errors will be printed to stdout.

7. Check the ntpd event log or stdout for a line similar to TRIMBLE(0) open at /dev/trimble0 to verify that your serial port opened.

8. The driver will print `TSIP_decode` lines to stdout as it processes message packets from the receiver. Note: ntpd must be built with debugging enabled to see `TSIP_decode` `trimble_poll` and `trimble_receive` messages

   1. Check your serial connection if trimble_poll: unit u: no packets found appears.

      1. The driver may print the message trimble_poll: unit u: packets found but none were usable to stdout if it failed to reconfigure the receiver to transmit auto-report superpackets.

9. The driver will print a `trimble_poll` line with a timecode to stdout when time is successfully transferred.

   1. If TSIP_decode lines are seen but trimble_receive never appears:

      1. TSIP_decode lines with not in holdover…​unusable will appear if there are insufficient usable satellites and the receiver is not in holdover.

      2. TSIP_decode lines with misconfigured will appear if the driver failed to reconfigure the receiver at startup.

## 8. Initial Setup and Testing for Praecis Receivers

1. Read the Praecis notes.

2. Power up and allow the receiver to lock with a cell tower. This can take a few minutes if the unit has been powered on recently and has good reception, but may take much longer with poor reception or if the unit has been powered off for many months.

3. Configure the serial I/O port and its symbolic link on the host.

4. Add the refclock to your `ntpd` configuration file.

5. Run `ntpd` with debug level 2 without detaching from the terminal (-d -d -n). Note: debug level 1 may also be used; only errors will be printed to stdout.

6. Check the ntpd event log or stdout for a line similar to TRIMBLE(0) open at /dev/trimble0 to verify that your serial port opened.

7. The driver will print `TSIP_decode` lines to stdout as it processes message packets from the receiver. Note: ntpd must be built with debugging enabled to see `TSIP_decode` `trimble_poll` and `trimble_receive` messages

   1. Check your serial connection if trimble_poll: unit u: no packets found appears, and ensure that `flag3` is not set.

8. The driver will print a `trimble_poll` line with a timecode to stdout when time is successfully transferred.

   1. If the time data has random large offsets the receiver’s CTIME is probably set ON. See the Praecis manual for the command to change this setting.

## 9. Initial Setup and Testing for Resolution SMT Receivers

1. Read the Resolution SMT notes.

2. Power up and allow the receiver to obtain UTC offset data. This can take 13 to 30 minutes.

3. Configure the serial I/O port and its symbolic link on the host.

4. Add the refclock to your `ntpd` configuration file.

5. Run `ntpd` with debug level 2 without detaching from the terminal (-d -d -n). Note: debug level 1 may also be used; only errors will be printed to stdout.

6. Check the ntpd event log or stdout for a line similar to TRIMBLE(0) open at /dev/trimble0 to verify that your serial port opened.

7. The driver will print `TSIP_decode` lines to stdout as it processes message packets from the receiver. Note: ntpd must be built with debugging enabled to see `TSIP_decode` `trimble_poll` and `trimble_receive` messages

   1. Check your serial connection if trimble_poll: unit u: no packets found appears.

      1. The driver may print the message trimble_poll: unit u: packets found but none were usable to stdout if it failed to reconfigure the receiver to transmit auto-report superpackets.

8. The driver will print a `trimble_poll` line with a timecode to stdout when time is successfully transferred.

   1. If TSIP_decode lines are seen but trimble_receive never appears:

      1. TSIP_decode lines with misconfigured will appear if the driver failed to reconfigure the receiver at startup.

## 10. Initial Setup and Testing for ACE III Receivers

1. Read the ACE III notes.

2. Place the GPS antenna outdoors, with a clear view of the sky for best results — ACE III is not very good at tracking weak signals.

3. Power up and allow the receiver to obtain UTC offset data. This can take 13 to 30 minutes.

4. Configure the serial I/O port and its symbolic link on the host.

5. Add the refclock to your `ntpd` configuration file.

6. Run `ntpd` with debug level 2 without detaching from the terminal (-d -d -n). Note: debug level 1 may also be used; only errors will be printed to stdout.

7. Check the ntpd event log or stdout for a line similar to TRIMBLE(0) open at /dev/trimble0 to verify that your serial port opened.

8. The driver will print `TSIP_decode` lines to stdout as it processes message packets from the receiver. Note: ntpd must be built with debugging enabled to see `TSIP_decode` `trimble_poll` and `trimble_receive` messages

   1. Check your serial connection if trimble_poll: unit u: no packets found appears.

9. The driver will print a `trimble_poll` line with a timecode to stdout when time is successfully transferred.

## 11. Initial Setup and Testing for Copernicus II Receivers

1. Read the Copernicus II notes.

2. Power up and allow the receiver to obtain UTC offset data. This can take 13 to 30 minutes.

3. Configure the serial I/O port and its symbolic link on the host.

4. Add the refclock to your `ntpd` configuration file.

5. Run `ntpd` with debug level 2 without detaching from the terminal (-d -d -n). Note: debug level 1 may also be used; only errors will be printed to stdout.

6. Check the ntpd event log or stdout for a line similar to TRIMBLE(0) open at /dev/trimble0 to verify that your serial port opened.

7. The driver will print `TSIP_decode` lines to stdout as it processes message packets from the receiver. Note: ntpd must be built with debugging enabled to see `TSIP_decode` `trimble_poll` and `trimble_receive` messages

   1. Check your serial connection if trimble_poll: unit u: no packets found appears.

8. The driver will print a `trimble_poll` line with a timecode to stdout when time is successfully transferred.

## 12. Event Logging

System and Event log entries are generated by NTP to report significant system events. Administrators should monitor the system log to observe NTP error messages. Log entries generated by the driver will be of the form:

    09-17T01:36:56 ntpd[1127]: REFCLOCK: TRIMBLE(0) message

## 13. Driver Options

`unit` number

  Specifies the receiver number, with default 0. Used as an identifier so that the driver can control multiple receivers.

`time1` time

  Specifies the time offset calibration factor, in seconds and fraction, with default 0.0.

`time2` time

  Specifies the holdover duration for Thunderbolt, in seconds, with default 0 (holdover disabled).

`stratum` number

  Specifies the driver stratum, in decimal from 0 to 15, with default 0.

`refid` string

  Specifies the driver reference identifier, an ASCII string from one to four characters, with default `GPS`. When using a Praecis this should be set to `CDMA`.

`flag1 {0 | 1}`

  Not used by this driver.

`flag2 {0 | 1}`

  Not used by this driver. NOTE: Versions of the driver before 3.00 used flag2 to disable hardware event capture. Event capture is now required for all receivers except the Thunderbolt, Resolution SMT and Copernicus II.

`flag3 {0 | 1}`

  Specifies the method used for triggering the receiver’s hardware event input. The default of 0 uses the serial port RTS line. Set to 1 to use the serial port’s TXD line instead of RTS. Value is ignored when using a Thunderbolt, Resolution SMT, ACE III or Copernicus II.

`flag4 {0 | 1}`

  Not used by this driver.

`subtype` number

  Specifies the receiver model, default is 0:

# | Model
--- | ---
0 | Palisade
1 | Praecis
2 | Thunderbolt
3 | Acutime 2000 & Acutime Gold
5 | Resolution SMT
6 | ACE III
7 | Copernicus II

note: There is currently no difference between subtype 0 and subtype 3 other than the driver startup message.

`mode` number

  Synonym for subtype, retained for backward compatibility.

`path` filename

  Overrides the default device path.

`ppspath` filename

  Not used by this driver.

`baud` number

  Overrides the default baud rate.

## 14. Palisade / Acutime Notes

The driver uses the receiver’s external event input and Port A TSIP output packets for time transfer, so use the Port A RS232 connector. Operation with Port B is not supported. The event input must be attached to the host serial port’s RTS or TXD lines — set `flag3` accordingly. The host will pulse the event input which will cause the receiver to emit a timestamp packet. Jitter of less than 400 ns has been observed with a Palisade on a machine with -24 precision using a 16550-compatible serial port and RTS for event triggering.

The Palisade, Acutime 2000 and Acutime Gold are typically used with a Synchronization Interface Module which converts the receiver’s RS422 I/O lines to RS232. Generic RS422 to RS232 adapters will also work. Current part numbers for the 12-pin antenna connector: DEUTSCH IMC26-2212X body, 6862-201-22278 pins, and IMC2AD backshell. See the receiver manual for pinouts. If you opt to build your own interface with RTS triggering, ensure that positive voltage on the RS232 RTS line produces positive voltage on the Port A Receive+ line.

The module supplied by Trimble for the Palisade and Acutime 2000, and the TrimTim modules available from Navimor Oxer have two RS232 ports which allow a host to communicate with the receiver’s Port A and Port B. With these modules the PPS is not connected to either RS232 port, but is made available on a BNC connector. The RS232 connector routed to Port A connects the host’s RTS line to the receiver’s external event input, so the host’s TXD line is not connected. Since data can’t be transmitted from the host to the receiver because of the unconnected TXD line, the driver expects the receiver to be set to its factory default configuration.

If resetting the receiver to defaults is not desired, verify that time base is set to UTC in 8e-4a. For the Palisade, verify that 8e-0b is 2 or 3 and 8e-ad is 2 or 3. For the Acutimes, verify that the 8e-a5 packet mask has at least Event 8f-0b on Port A and Event 8f-ad on Port A enabled.

If it is not possible to use the external event input with your interface and you have an Acutime Gold or Acutime 2000, try using the `gpsd` driver instead.

The supported receivers will have GPS Week Number Rollover problems after the following dates:

Model | Rollover Date
--- | ---
Palisade | 17-Nov-2018
Acutime 2000 | 5-Aug-2018
Acutime Gold | 1-Sep-2029

A workaround for this has been implemented in the driver which relies on the ntpd program build date. Ensure that the build date reported during ntpd startup is less than 19 years from the current date.

Palisade firmware versions previous to 7.12 are untested. The Palisade 26664-00 with pre-7.12 firmware must be upgraded to 7.12 because pre-7.12 firmware versions disable the receiver’s external event input. Firmware version 7.12 for all Palisade receivers is available at: ftp://ftp.trimble.com/pub/sct/timing/

The Acutime Gold Starter Kit contains a USB interface module. This driver has been tested using an RS232 interface module so the performance of the USB version is unknown. Navimor Oxer recommends that the USB port on their IF2 module not be used for precision timing. This is likely also true for the Trimble interface. `Flag3` may need to be set when using a USB interface.

Refer to the manuals for hardware setup instructions, cable pinouts and packet formats. The manuals are available at: ftp://ftp.trimble.com/pub/sct/embedded/bin/Manuals/

The Palisade can’t automatically save its self-survey position. It must perform a self-survey every time power is lost unless its accurate initial position is manually set. Once set, the receiver will power up with this position and skip its self-survey. The driver does not wait for the self-survey to complete before allowing time transfer.

Acutime 2000 transmits incorrect position data in its event-trigger response, so the TSIP_decode Latitude / Longitude / Altitude debugging message will not display correctly.

The receiver must know the current UTC offset from GPS time to be usable with ntpd. The receiver automatically decodes the UTC offset data from the `Almanac` transmitted by GPS satellites. With good antenna placement, Almanac reception can be expected to take 13 minutes or more after receiver power-up. The driver will wait for the receiver to report that its UTC offset is valid before enabling time transfer. The receiver stores the UTC offset in NVRAM so it will become usable before the Almanac is available, but if it was powered off during a leap second change the stored offset may be incorrect until the current Almanac is obtained.

## 15. EndRun Technologies Praecis Notes

The driver has been tested with a Praecis Cf. The Ct, Ce, and Praecis II should also work. The receiver must be set to use Trimble emulation mode. To configure the receiver, see: https://net.its.hawaii.edu/network-performance/using-praecis/ NTP setup instructions are also in the receiver manuals, which can be found at: https://www.endruntechnologies.com/documentation.htm

Check the receiver’s LEAP setting. Incorrect values will cause a time offset. See the note for this command in the receiver manual.

Jitter of less than 100 ns has been observed with a Praecis Cf on a machine with -24 precision using a 16550-compatible serial port and RTS for event triggering, but the offset relative to a Palisade on the same machine may vary in steps by several microseconds, likely due to the receiver switching between cell towers.

Important | Turn off the receiver’s auto-report feature (CTIME=OFF) because the driver can’t distinguish auto-reports from event capture responses. This is mentioned in the receiver manual.

## 16. Thunderbolt Notes

The driver will attempt to set the time report packet and PPS output alignment to UTC time since the Thunderbolt defaults to GPS alignment. Time transfer will not be allowed unless the receiver reports that it has received the leap second offset between GPS and UTC time and is outputting UTC time.

The Thunderbolt does not have an event input. Initially it was thought that the firmware could be upgraded to enable event input so that it would operate with this driver in a way similar to a Palisade or Acutime, but no upgrade was ever released. The Thunderbolt’s serial port CTS line is not connected with the standard board configuration, and there is no mention of event capability in any documentation. Newer receivers in the Thunderbolt line also do not have event inputs. Here is a link explaining the firmware situation: https://lists.ntp.org/pipermail/hackers/2006-April/002216.html

Due to the lack of an event input the driver uses the timecode packet transmitted by the Thunderbolt shortly after the beginning of each second, but this packet is not very well aligned: delay varies from 7 ms to 32 ms depending on the number of satellites the receiver is attempting to track, and the delay is not included in the timecode. For this reason the `time1` should be set to about 20 ms. The `pps` driver should be used along with this driver for best results, but a hardware modification is required to route the receiver’s 1PPS output to the serial port DCD line for serial PPS.

The Thunderbolt will have a "GPS Week Number Rollover" problem after 30-Jul-2017. The same workaround mentioned in the Palisade / Acutime Notes section is implemented for the Thunderbolt.

The receiver must know the current UTC offset from GPS time to be usable with ntpd. The receiver automatically decodes the UTC offset data from the `Almanac` transmitted by GPS satellites. With good antenna placement, Almanac reception can be expected to take 13 minutes or more after receiver power-up. The driver will wait for the receiver to report that its UTC offset is valid before enabling time transfer.

Time transfer during holdover may be enabled by setting time2 to the maximum allowable holdover duration in seconds.

## 17. Resolution SMT Notes

The driver will attempt to set the time report packet and PPS output alignment to UTC time since the Resolution SMT defaults to GPS alignment. Time transfer will not be allowed unless the receiver reports that it has received the leap second offset between GPS and UTC time and is outputting UTC time. The driver will also set the receiver not to output a PPS unless at least one satellite is being received.

The Resolution SMT does not have an event input. The driver therefore uses the timecode packets transmitted by the receiver after the beginning of each second. It takes approximately 0.42s to receive the primary and secondary timecode packets. For this reason the `time1` should be set to about 420 ms. The `pps` driver should be used along with this driver for best results.

The Resolution SMT will have a "GPS Week Number Rollover" problem after the following dates:

F/W version | Rollover Date
--- | ---
pre-v1.14 | 19-Jun-2027
v1.14 | 10-May-2031
v2.02 | 21-Aug-2032

The same workaround mentioned in the Palisade / Acutime Notes section is implemented for the Resolution SMT.

The receiver must know the current UTC offset from GPS time to be usable with ntpd. The receiver automatically decodes the UTC offset data from the `Almanac` transmitted by GPS satellites. With good antenna placement, Almanac reception can be expected to take 13 minutes or more after receiver power-up. The driver will wait for the receiver to report that its UTC offset is valid before enabling time transfer.

## 18. ACE III Notes

The ACE III does not have an event input. Rather, the receiver is polled by the driver transmitting a 0x21 command to the receiver every second. The `pps` driver should be used along with this driver for best results.

The timecode packet output by the ACE III contains only the GPS week number, time within the week and UTC offset. A "GPS Week Number Rollover" workaround is therefore needed to convert the reported time to UTC. The same workaround mentioned in the Palisade / Acutime Notes section is implemented for the ACE III.

The receiver must know the current UTC offset from GPS time (caused by insertion or deletion of leap seconds in UTC) to be usable with ntpd. The receiver automatically decodes the UTC offset data from the `Almanac` transmitted by GPS satellites. With good antenna placement, Almanac reception can be expected to take 13 minutes or more after receiver power-up. The driver will wait for the receiver to report that its UTC offset is valid before enabling time transfer.

## 19. Copernicus II Notes

The Copernicus II does not have an event input. The driver therefore uses the timecode packet transmitted by the Copernicus II after the beginning of each second. It takes approximately 0.14s to receive the timecode packet. For this reason the `time1` should be set to about 140 ms. The `pps` driver should be used along with this driver for best results.

The timecode packet output by the ACE III contains only the GPS week number, time within the week and UTC offset. A "GPS Week Number Rollover" workaround is therefore needed to convert the reported time to UTC. The same workaround mentioned in the Palisade / Acutime Notes section is implemented for the Copernicus II.

The receiver must know the current UTC offset from GPS time (caused by insertion or deletion of leap seconds in UTC) to be usable with ntpd. The receiver automatically decodes the UTC offset data from the `Almanac` transmitted by GPS satellites. With good antenna placement, Almanac reception can be expected to take 13 minutes or more after receiver power-up. The driver will wait for the receiver to report that its UTC offset is valid before enabling time transfer.

## 20. Change Log

Since version 3.00 (2017-23-09)
4.00
* add support for Resolution SMT, ACE III and Copernicus II receivers

Since version 2.45 (2008-30-09)
3.00
* add GPS week number rollover workaround
* remove support for using the Palisade, Acutime 2000, Acutime Gold and * Praecis without event triggering (due to the GPS week number rollover workaround)
* add flag3 to select event triggering method
* simplify debugging messages
* allow for time transfer during Thunderbolt holdover
* check serial parity for receivers that generate parity by default

## 21. Authors

Questions or Comments : ntpsec, driver version 3.00+

Sven-Thorsten Dietrich
645 North Mary Avenue
Post Office Box 3642
Sunnyvale, CA 94088-3642

Fernando P. Hauscarriaga
https://www.iar.unlp.edu.ar/~fernandoph
Instituto Argentino de Radioastronomia
https://www.iar.unlp.edu.ar

Home Page | Site Map | Contacts