Skip to main content

Circuit architecture

Hello! This is the second post related to the Nixie clock project.
Here we will set the architecture of our system.

Basically, in order to have a proper clock, from end to start:

#1: display device => Nixie tubes
#2: cathode driver (in order to select the figure to display) => K555ID1 microchip
#3: anode driver (in order to select the tube to switch on) => MPSA42 & MPSA92
#4: oscillator (quartz)
#5: controller => PIC 16F1828
#6: interface for setting time on the clock
#7: power supply (at least +170V are requested for the tubes and +5V for the different microchips)

#3 is requested as we want to have multiplexed Nixie:

Multiplexing Nixie means control several tubes with only 1 cathode driver (the straight design would request one driver per tube).
This way, one chip will switch on the same cathode on 2 or more tubes.
It is necessary then to select which tube to apply voltage on, through the anode driver.

Circuit architecture can be summarised as follow:



So now that the architecture is clear, we can move on to the next step.
To be fully honest, I am a real newbie with regards to electronics. 
This project is therefore a real challenge! :)

Anyway, if you were to find something erroneous, please let me know so that I can correct it.
Merci!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Rebuild of a Solex carburettor 26AIC

I am always keen to rework old mechanical parts, not only to satisfy my thirst for knowledge but also for the pleasure to bring back to life an old thing long forgotten. In this article, we will review a Solex carburettor 26AIC. Here is the thing: I have been happy to discover that mobile parts were not seized :D A bit of history: This carburettor was initially fitted on Renault Juvaquatre (1938-39): Photo from Lars-Göran Lindgren (Sweden)/ Wikipedia Another variant exists for Peugeot 202 , with a slight difference however: on the top, the 26AIC for the Peugeot has two holes to attach a protector on top: The Solex 26AIC has also been used on this models: Standard Flying Eight Side Valve 1938-48 Reliant 3 Wheeler Regal 1952-58 Reliant Export 1952-62 And also on industrial engines: Coventry Climax FSM2 & FSM3 Engines 1939-49 That's all for the history bit for now, the next step is to strip it down! 😄 Stripping down the ca

Remplacement du tableau électrique... Episode 1 !

Hello, hello! Encore un long moment sans billet. Les travaux me prennent pas mal de temps, et lorsque je peux écrire un petit quelque chose, la flemme se pointe et m'agresse sauvagement! Avec cette nouvelle année (meilleurs vœux!!), je vais essayer de tenir mon blog un peu plus à jour. Et non ! Ce n'est pas une "bonne résolution"... Je n'en prends jamais, comme ça, pas de déception, pas d'échec. ^-^ Pour inaugurer 2011, je profite de ne pas être chez moi pour écrire un petit billet sur les premiers travaux de l'année. Sujet: le remplacement de mon tableau électrique, "épisode I: la mise en sécurité." La maison a été construite avant 1840 (la dernière grosse modification structurelle daterait de 1841). Ne s'agissant pas d'une réhabilitation totale, j'essaie juste d'être au plus proche de la norme NF C 15-100, mais sans que ce soit une obligation absolue. Je n'ai pas posé de GTL, par exemple. J'ai également une can

Headlights/ Parking lights warning buzzer

On modern car, usually a buzzer warns you when you leave your lights on while leaving your car. Unfortunately on our oldies, such devices were not always available. That could result in a discharged battery... After having left a couple of time the lights on (but been lucky enough to not have a completely flat battery when returning some hours later), I have decided to install a warning buzzer. Theory: I am using the wiring diagrams from Advance Auto-Wire (document here ). My MGB GT is a 75 UK model. The correct wiring diagram is the one on sheet 31 (page 32 of the pdf file). We want to add a buzzer that detects the parking lights are on when the door is opened. That means we need to connect a buzzer between the parking light feeding wire and the door switch. The parking lights feeding wire is a red & green (RG) starting at the "HEADLIGHT SWITCH", the door switch wires are the purple & white (PW) "COURTESY LAMP & DOOR SWITCHES".