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SmartNixie
 I2C bus Display and Support modules
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HVPS Comparison
(USPS First Class Worldwide Shipping included)

1356 - SmartNixie IN4
(Datasheet / Schematic)
 

Socket Installed Tube

1356-ST
IN4 socketed tube		 $11.45

Board Only (w/Sockets)

1356-SX
IN4 socket module		 $8.45

1328 - SmartNixie IN12
(Datasheet / Schematic)
 

Socket Installed IN12b Tube

1328-ST
IN12b socketed tube		 $10.45

Board Only (w/Sockets)

1328-SX
IN12b socket module		 $8.45

1326 - SmartNixie IN17a
(Datasheet / Schematic)
 

Board Only (No sockets)

1326-X
Wired tube module		 $7.45

1357 - SmartNixie IN17b
(Datasheet / Schematic / DataConn / TubeConn / IN16 / IN17 / Clock)
 

Board Only (No sockets)

1357-X
Wired tube module		 $7.45

1361 - SmartNixie IN18
(Datasheet / Schematic)
 

Board Only (w/Sockets)

1361-SX
IN18 socket module		 $8.45

1437 - SmartNixie B5092
(Build a 4 or 6 digit clock with the IN4 backplanes below)
Digits: B8421, B8037, B7153, B6844A, B6091, B6033, B5092(A), B5031
Symbols:  B6034, B50324 and 6 digit clock
(Datasheet / Schematic)
 

Board Only (w/Sockets)

1437-SX
B5092 socket module		 $8.45

1362 - SmartNixie RTC
(Vertical Module)
(Datasheet / PCF8563)
 

1362
RTC-V		 $11.95

1374 - SmartNixie RTC
(Horizontal Module)
 (Datasheet / PCF8563)
 

1374
RTC-H		 $11.95

1375 - SmartNixie GPS RTC
(Horizontal Module)
The 1375 is a 1374 footprint drop in with battery backed RTC
and NMEA RS232 message output.  NMEA message stream
is converted into PCF8563 I2C emulated register map extended
to include all available navigational data.
 (Datasheet)
 

1375
GPS-H		 $94.95

Active GPS Antenna
5M Cable plugs directly into 1375 module
 (Datasheet)
 

W4000G197
GPS-A		 $16.95

1381 - SmartNixie Timer
(Vertical Module)
NOTE: Abs-Max Vin of timer is 12.000V
(Datasheet / Testdata)
 

1381
TIMER-V		 $18.95

1383 - SmartNixie Timer
(Horizontal Module)
NOTE: Abs-Max Vin of timer is 12.000V
(Datasheet / Testdata)
 

1383
TIMER-H		 $18.95

1388 - 4 Digit IN4 Clock Backplane
 Select your HVPS, RTC or Timer options above
(Schematic / Colons / Assembled / Clock Setting p12)
 

1388
BP-IN4-4		 $14.45

1387 - 6 Digit IN4 Clock Backplane
 Select your HVPS, RTC or Timer options above
(Schematic / Colons / Assembled / Clock Setting p12)
 

1387
BP-IN4-6		 $15.45

1389 - 4 Digit IN12 Clock Backplane
 Select your HVPS, RTC or Timer options above
(Schematic / Colons / Assembled / Clock Setting p12)
 

1389
BP-IN12-4		 $13.45

1355 - 6 Digit IN12 Clock Backplane
 Select your HVPS, RTC or Timer options above
(Schematic / Colons / Assembled / Exploded / Clock Setting p12)
 

1355
BP-IN12-6		 $14.45

1392 - 6 Digit IN18 Clock Backplane
 Select your HVPS, RTC or Timer options above
(Schematic / Colons / Assembled / SideView / Clock Setting p12)
 

1392
BP-IN18-6		 $15.45

Nixie Power Supplies
Click here
 

Nixie Tube Sockets
Click Here
 

Power Plug
5.5mm OD x 2.5mm ID
CUI Inc PP3-002B
 

CP3-1001 $1.45
SmartNixie Family Description
      The TES SmartNixie is a ready to use display module pre-programmed with several useful operating modes.  The on board processor reads a four position DIP switch at boot up to configure itself as one of 112 possible I2C slaves or any of several special modes such as the I2C master of a digital clock.  Modules are 100% interchangeable so that they may be alternated in the user application to maximize tube life especially when installed into 0.100" pitch socket strips which eliminates the need to solder directly to the module pins (See table at bottom of page).  The ICSP (In Circuit Serial Programming) connections to the PIC16F677 processor are also brought out on the module pins to allow for user programming of the processor flash memory when all DIP switches are in the off position (See warranty information below).

       The companion high voltage power supplies are very high density switchmode converters using a flyback transformer which provides tolerance of output short circuits as there is no direct input-to-output current path.  The switcher controller runs at a nominal 300 kHz (220-360 kHz) and can be synchronized to an external clock via the enable pin to frequencies between 370 and 500 kHz.  Input current during shut-down is 40uA Max. See the comparison chart for module size and power density versus other modules.
Slave Features
  • 100kbps I2C control interface.
  • Slave base address ranges from 0x10-0xEE via on board DIP switch (See datasheet or table below)
  • Character and Bit-map control modes:
    • Nixie Character 1 of 10 decoded display:  "0" to "9" and Display blank with independent control of Spare1, Spare2 driver channels.
    • Numitron Character 7 segment decoded display: "0" to "9", "A" to "F" and Display blank with independent control of Spare1, Spare2 and Decimal Point driver channels.
    • Bit-map: 12 bit binary code drives any combination of channels simultaneously.
  • Free run counter in either Nixie or Numitron decoded display (Overrides flash mode).
  • Programmable dimming from 5 to 100%, 100Hz flicker free update rate.
  • Display flash with rate programmable from 0.39Hz to 100Hz, 50% duty cycle (Overrides counter mode).
Special Modes
  • Free run Counter Mode-0 programmable from 0.39Hz to 100Hz for tube burn in, defaults to 10Hz.  Mode-0 counts in 1 of 10 Nixie output control and (Mode 1) counts in 7 segment Numitron output control.
  • Stand alone Ripple Counter Mode-5 with clock in and divide by 10 clock output.  (Mode 5) counts in 1 of 10 Nixie output control and (Mode 6) counts in 7 segment Numitron output control.
  • RS232 data stream with module build date and firmware information.
  • Clock master Mode-9:
    • 1 to 6 digit clock master using selectable line frequency input; 1/10/50/60/100/120Hz and Free run.
    • 12/24 hour selectable with and without leading zero blanking.
    • Dimming from 5 to 100% in 5% steps.
    • Colon display and blink control
    • 1Hz clock generator Circuit / Source code
    • DC supply line ripple clock extraction circuit.
    • Bottom view -IN12 mode 9 clock showing DIP switch settings:  Here
    • Nixie / Numitron selectable via setting switches.
    • All settings stored in EEPROM.
  • Clock master Mode-10:  
    • 1 to 6 digit clock/calendar based on PCF8563 RTC.
    • 2 year backup with 17mA-H coin cell, see application note for charging circuit.
    • 12/24 hour selectable with and without leading zero blanking.
    • Dimming from 5 to 100% in 5% steps.
    • Colon display and blink control
    • Nixie / Numitron selectable via setting switches.
    • All settings stored in EEPROM.
DIP Switch Addressing
DIP SW Base
Address		 Description (See datasheet for complete details)
A3 A2 A1 A0
0 0 0 0 0x10 Digital address slave mode.
0 0 0 1 0x12
0 0 1 0 0x14
0 0 1 1 0x16
0 1 0 0 0x18
0 1 0 1 0x1A
0 1 1 0 0x1C
0 1 1 1 0x1E
1 0 Ax Ay 0x10-0xEE Analog address slave mode.  A1:0 are read as analog inputs which allows 112 slaves to be addressed with only six different resistor values.  See full specification for details.
1 0 0 Ay Modey Special modes entered at boot for the first nine analog input values...
  0 Free running counter, 1-of-9 nixie drive.
1 Free running counter, 7 segment numitron drive.
5 Ripple counter, 1-of-9 nixie drive.
6 Ripple counter, 7 segment numitron drive.
8 RS232 module information data stream.
2,3,4,7 Reserved for future use
1 1 0 x 9 Six digit clock master, selectable line frequency time base:  50, 60 or 100Hz
1 1 1 x 10 Six digit clock master, Real Time Clock (i.e. 1374) time base
Quick Specs
  • Logic supply from 3.0 to 5.5VDC.
  • Supply current:     2.5mA Max,  Vdd = 5.5VDC
                               2.0mA Nom, Vdd = 5.0VDC
                               1.0mA Nom, Vdd = 3.0VDC
  • All cathode drivers are rated 240V/100mA, less than 100nA leakage current at 240V for no inter digit "Bleed".
  • Module Address (A0-A3), I2C (SCL and SDA) and all driver pins tested on automated equipment to verify functionality in all operating modes. (Typical test screen)
  • Modules with tubes installed are fully burned in and ready to use!
  • SmartNixie IN4/IN12/IN18 for Pin Base Tubes:
    • 8 pin 0.100" SIP header for logic power, address and communication.
    • 4 pin 0.100" SIP header for high voltage input and spare cathodes.
    • 2 mounting holes at corners for 4-40 screws.
    • On board 1W metal oxide film current limit resistor, 20K nominal.
    • "Spare1" and "Spare2" cathode drivers connected to the 4 pin SIP header for driving external lamps, i.e. colon and Am/Pm for clocks.  For tubes with a decimal point or comma cathode, "Spare1" connects to the tubes as well as the 4 pin header.
  • SmartNixie-IN17a for wire leaded tubes
    • 0.400" x 1.000" board size.
    • 20 pin 0.050" pitch SIP board connector for logic power, address, communication, high voltage and cathodes.
    • Pads with 0.020" diameter holes for display leads.
  • SmartNixie-IN17b for wire leaded tubes
    • 0.650" x 0.800" board size.
    • 12 pin 0.100" pitch 2x6 DIP header for logic power, address, communication, high voltage and spare cathodes. (Pinout)
    • Pads with 0.030" diameter holes for display leads (Pinout).
    • On board 1W metal oxide film current limit resistor, 20K nominal.
Warranty
  • One year repair or replacement from date of purchase for materials and workmanship.
  • Warranty does not cover user abuse, modification or reprogramming of modules.
  • Critical firmware changes updated at no charge including shipment back to customer (No customer FW updates).
Module Technical Reference
Module F/W and Datasheet History
FW Revision Release Date Data Sheet Change Description
0161.01.07 2009/11/01 0161.01.07 Add colon control to Mode 9/10 setting menus and schematics
0161.01.06 2009/05/01 0161.01.06 Add pages for outlines for all modules, IN12 first.  General clean up.
0161.01.05 Not Released 0161.01.04 Test build.
0161.01.04 2009/03/22 0161.01.04 Added new trim-up/trim-down setting to set time forward or back by 1 second.
Added Nixie and Numitron control options to all modes.
0161.01.03 Not Released 0161.01.02 Test build.
0161.01.02 2008/04/13 0161.01.02 Fixed ripple counter Mode-5 reset function that was broken in 161-01-01.
0161.01.01 2007/08/15 0161.01.02 Improved debounce on clock set functions, added burn in counter extension: After boot, switching A3 low during count extends count to include comma and spare cathode drivers.
0161.01.00 2007/02/26 0161.01.02 Initial release.
 

8 pin sockets for SmartNixie data connector

Sullins PPPC081LFBN (Gold)
Digikey S4108-ND
Sullins PPTC081LFBN (Tin)
Digikey S4008-ND
Tyco 5-534237-6
Digikey A32909-ND
Tyco 5-535541-6
Digikey A32921-ND

3M 929974-01-36 (Tin)
Digikey 929974-01-36-ND
3M 929850-01-36-10 (Gold)
Digikey 929850-01-36-ND
Tyco 643640-1 (Tin)
Digikey A24815-ND
FCI Berg 68685-308LF (Gold)
Digikey 609-3589-ND

FCI Berg 66951-008LF (Gold)
Digikey 609-2238-ND		      
4 pin sockets for SmartNixie HV connector

Sullins PPPC041LFBN (Gold)
Digikey S4104-ND
Sullins PPTC041LFBN (Tin)
Digikey S4004-ND
Tyco 5-534237-2
Digikey A32905-ND
Tyco 5-535541-3
Digikey A32919-ND

3M 929974-01-36 (Tin)
Digikey 929974-01-36-ND
3M 929850-01-36-10 (Gold)
Digikey 929850-01-36-ND
Tyco 382438-1 (Tin)
Digikey A24813-ND
FCI Berg 68685-304LF (Gold)
Digikey 8685-304LF-ND

FCI Berg 66951-004LF (Gold)
Digikey 609-2234-ND		      

Any questions or comments?
This page last updated on November 25, 2012