Logo of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
View of the Mainflingen long-wave radio station for transmission of the DCF77 signal:  transmitter building (in the back), antenna building (yellow bricks) and antenna masts.

DCF77 signal generation

Triple redundant generation of the DCF77 signal starting from three atomic clocks of the PTB
DCF77 signal generation: racks 1 – 3: threefold generation of the DCF77 carrier and time code starting from three atomic clocks (at the bottom above the power suppplies), above the signal generation, control units and display (top); rack 4: measurement and communication equipment; rack 5: equipment for generating the time markers 1 to 14

The DCF77 signal generation, and its monitoring and control functions have been based on entirely new equipment since late October 2006. The equipment was installed in a newly modelled air-conditioned room at the Mainflingen premises. Three atomic clocks provide the standard frequency from which the carrier frequency, 77.5 KHz, and the time code are generated. A redundant logic control shall ensure error free dissemination of the time information. The clocks and the signal generation units are connected to uninterruptable power supplies which guarantee a reliable continuos signal generation.