Sphere U6DNC Series Manuale utente

Sphere Research Corporation

U6DNC Nixie Clock Kits

Sphere Research Corporation

3394 Sunnyside Rd., Kelowna, B.C.

V1Z 2V4 CANADA

Contact information:

Phone: (250) 769-1834

FAX: (250) 769-4106

E-Mail: [email protected]

URL:

http://www.sphere.bc.ca

Neonixie CPU-based universal 6-digit nixie clocks Release Date: January 30, 2007

ÎSTOP AND READ THIS BEFORE GOING

ANY FURTHER!

These kits require and generate high DC

voltages, over 170VDC, which is very

dangerous if not handled correctly. If you do

not have the experience to work with these

voltages, STOP NOW, and return the kit for a

refund.

You agree by continuing that you are qualified

to work with these dangerous voltages, and do

so entirely at your own risk. You are

responsible for any final use of the product

made from this kit, and accept all

responsibility for enclosing it in a safe

manner to prevent any shock hazard to

users, and for making any AC power

connections in a safe manner. We DO NOT

provide a housing for this product, that is up

to you.

THIS IS NOT A KIT FOR BEGINNERS!

It is designed for advanced experimenters with experience and knowledge about the circuits employed, who are

capable of doing this level of assembly and testing. Once again, if you feel this does not describe you, please

stop and return the kit for a refund. We would prefer to refund your money than have you lying unconscious on

the floor, with your heart stopped, or some similar untimely end.

Software: These kits are based on the Neonixie pre-programmed Atmel CPU, which has copyrighted software.

In buying this kit, you agree not to reverse engineer or copy this code for any reason, but only to use it in this

specific clock kit. If you do not agree with this condition, please return the kit for a refund. Sphere is only a re-

seller of the code for this specific use, and no other.

Things you will need to build these kits:

Like any electronic assembly project, some tools are required which are not included with our parts kit. These

items are:

1. A clean, well lit assembly area.

2. A good quality soldering iron, with safety grounded tip. Weller, Hakko and Ungar all make suitable irons.

You will need a sharp, long tipped iron, and a damp cleaning sponge to keep the tip clean. We include high

quality 63/37 rosin core (or water soluble) solder for the assembly, which significantly helps prevent cold

solder joints.

3. Needle nose pliers and diagonal cutters, plus a number 1 Philips screwdriver for some items.

4. Isopropyl alcohol (available at any pharmacy) to clean the flux from the complete board, and Q-tips and a

cloth to do the cleaning. This should be done outside, in a well ventilated area. If water soluble flux solder

is used, the board can be washed clean with running hot water and a small toothbrush. Compressed air is

very handy to dry the board.

5. A digital multimeter capable of measuring to 500VDC, with safe, well insulated leads.

General but VERY IMPORTANT Information:

Please don’t skip over this section, it has important information about every kit that is essential.

PARTS VALUES/BOARD IDENTS: Each kit has a schematic diagram, parts list and a circuit board. Generally,

all will agree in every way, BUT early board revisions may have the wrong value printed in a component

location, or other minor artwork flaw due to design revisions. If a different part is to be used than is printed on

the board art revision, IT WILL BE CORRECTLY PRE-INSTALLED by us before shipment. Do not alter

preinstalled parts on the circuit board.

VARIABLE VALUES: Some parts do not have a specific value on the boards, they are determined by other

circuit issues, like the type of Nixie tube installed, what kind of external AC power supply is used and other

factors, see the schematic and instructions to determine the right value.

FUSE PROTECTION: Any kit with external power has fuse protection of some type. DO NOT defeat this, or fire

safety will be compromised. Use the fuse value or specific polyswitch specified. (a polyswitch is a self-resetting

fuse that looks like a radial disc style yellow capacitor).

OPTIONS: Many boards have SOFTWARE options that can be selected by going through the Neonixe menu,

some MUST be selected for any operation such as tube sequencing, so be sure you have made a valid

selection for every location that has an option. The complete NEONIXE software options document is

attached as an appendix, read over the software settings and options carefully, the combined board

REQUIRES that the tube sequence option be modified.

MODIFICATIONS & EXPERIMENTATION: Most of the advanced clock boards have extra connections and

options for different connections, external timebases, and even prototyping areas. These allow you to easily

modify the kit to better suit yourself, and your own requirements. Keep in mind, only 1 single timebase

(crystal, oscillator, or external source) may be used at any one time in a clock.

PARTS IDENTIFICATION: All parts have part numbers, values or color codes to identify them. Many different

but equally correct parts can often be used in specific locations, and we may use different parts because of

availability issues. The parts list generally covers the details of what parts, or range of parts can be used. ICs in

particular have wildly varying part identifications, each maker has their own prefix, suffix and number format

wrapped around a common core number. If you are not sure, please email us for clarification, at

[email protected]. Color codes are common on resistors, and you should become familiar with that type of

marking. You can go to our website here for a color code decoding chart at the bottom of the page:

http://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/data.html

SOLDERING: The correct way to solder is to clean the tip of your iron, and first insure it has a smooth coating of

solder to transfer heat. Then, heat the part and board with the tip of your iron, and feed the solder to the parts,

which will melt the solder when the lead and pad are hot enough. A well-tinned, clean tip makes this very easy.

There are many good assembly techniques, but the best is usually to insert the part, spread the leads to pull the

part snug to the board, and clip the lead close to the board. Then solder the junction, and no further work is

required. ALWAYS install any solder in Nixies as the LAST STEP in assembling the board. They are very

fragile, and easily broken with handling. It can be hard to thread all the Nixie leads into the board. Sometimes

trimming them evenly to just ½” makes this much easier. Adjust the tube carefully to be sure it is straight in every

axis, and tack solder two leads. Recheck again, and when all if correctly aligned, go ahead and solder each pin

carefully, being careful not to bridge two pads. The pads are small at the nixie tubes and ICs, so be careful, and

be patient. If you are using the nixie tube pads to connect an external tube, use ribbon cable, and note that the

pads are identified by function (digits 0-9 and A for anode), rather than pin numbers.

MODIFICATIONS: You can use many other power supplies, or an external time base (by omitting U7 and U8,

and Y1, then inject a CMOS/TTL compatible logic clock at J8 External Clock, along with a ground return) with this

clock board. Other Nixies can be used in two ways, either wired to the PCB pads normally used for the on-board

tubes, or via a remote display board. Observe that the Nixie Tube pads show the FUNCTION, not the pin

number for ease in doing this. You can also attach different display boards via the 20 pin headers, simply

pull the on-board nixie driver ICs to use this function.

U6DNC Series Neonixie Microcontroller Clock Kits

U6DNC

Combined clock/display board,

U6NDC (lower) and accessory

LED “back-lighting board”

(upper).

This board performs all

functions, power supply, HV

converter, clock, timebase,

drivers and display. The back

lighting board can be inserted

UNDER the nixies, through the

holes shown in the center of

each tube, to provide a

contrasting color for effect. The

rubber insulator under each

tube must be removed to use

this option.

U6DNC-ND / 6XB5092 / 6XIN17

Split clock/display board set,

U6NDC-ND (upper) and remote

plug-in nixie display, 6XB5092

(lower).

This upper board performs clock

functions, power supply, HV

converter and timebase, while

the remote display contains the

drivers and nixie displays. The

display board supports virtually

all plug in 13 pin vertical display

tubes, such as the B5092/A,

6844/A, 8037, 8421, ZM560M,

ZM10220/22 and similar tubes. It

can also be used to remote wire

any other type to sockets with

ribbon cable.

The bottom-most board is the

6XIN17 remote display, which

supports the miniature IN-17

nixie tubes and drivers.

Caution: The Microprocessor (UP1) is very static sensitive, install it into the socket as the

last step, and ONLY after you have made all the required tests on the power supply. Ground

yourself to a grounded object before handling the IC, and never touch the board to

something before you have touched it first, to avoid static discharge though the chip.

FIRST: This kit requires an external Power

Supply, you should select that FIRST, and test it

before attempting to assemble and test this kit. A

12VDC or 12VAC wall wart is ideal, with at least a

1A rating, or you can use a source up to 16VAC/DC,

but you will then have to install the secondary on-

board 12V regulator to run the HV converter. If you

bought a supply from us, it will be a nominal 12VDC

supply, with a barrel style DC power connector.

Check to confirm it is positive on the center

conductor (may be up to 16VDC if unregulated and

no load), and working before proceeding. Be sure it

mates with the supplied DC power connector at J2.

Using our supplied 12VDC power supply, the on

board 12V regulator and rectifier are not

required, and they are jumpered out at U10 Input

to output), D1 and D5. This routes input power

directly to the internal 12VDC bus.

WHAT DISPLAY? This kit can interface to many tube types, but the board patterns are tube-specific.

The combined board drives IN-14 nixies, but others with flying leads can be used, IF the pins are matched to the

board layout. Remember that the layout is marked by FUNCTION, not pin number, for your convenience. It is

possible with minor lead changes to run IN-16 tubes in the same layout in all or some (such as seconds)

positions. Check our website below for tube basing information before you attempt a tube change.

http://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/nixie.html

On the remote boards, either sockets or tubes with flying leads can be used, but note that the socket pattern fits

only specific socket types, and a tube does not fit directly into the holes.

WHAT TIMEBASE?This kit supports 4 possible modes, 3 internal, and one external. Internally, either a

simple quartz crystal can be used (Y1), or one of two different temperature stabilized oscillators from Maxim

(DS32KHZ) in SMD or DIP format. Note that in the initial board layouts, the over-sized DIP package interferes

with the J9 header (it can be mounted on the bottom to avoid this interference). This clearance will be fixed on

later revisions. Externally, a remote source of CMOS/TTL compatible 32.768KHz data can be sent to the J8 EXT

clock pin. USE ONLY ONE TIMEBASE SOURCE. The default is crystal Y1, the temp stabilized oscillators

are an upgrade to the kit.

U6DNC U6DNC-ND

U6DNC / U6DNC-ND Annotated PARTS LIST:

Shaded parts are on the combined board U6DNC ONLY.

Part Identification Description Mechanical Identification, Notes

C1, C2, C3, C4,

C5, C6 0.1uF/50V or better bypass Capacitor Radial leads, Can be marked .1 or 104, dipped

or molded case.

C7 0.1uF/50V or better bypass Capacitor Radial leads, Can be marked .1 or 104, dipped

or molded case

C13 0.01-0.1uF/50V or better Capacitor Radial Leads, used only if AC power input

used, Optional.

C10, C12, C15 10uF/16V-22uF/35V Electrolytic

Capacitor Radial Leads, OBSERVE POLARITY!

Can be dipped tantalum or alum. electrolytic

C11 Supercap, 0.1F/5.5VDC or better Radial Leads, OBSERVE POLARITY! Stripe is

negative.

C14 470uF/16VDC or higher Electrolytic

Capacitor Radial Leads, OBSERVE POLARITY!

Alum. Electrolytic, stripe is negative. If a higher

voltage 470uF cap is provided, it goes HERE.

C15 10uF/16V-22uF/35V Electrolytic

Capacitor Radial Leads, OBSERVE POLARITY!

Can be dipped tantalum or alum. electrolytic

C16, C17 0.1uF/50V or better bypass Capacitor Radial leads, Can be marked .1 or 104, dipped

or molded case, required only if U10 installed,

Optional

C18 10uF/16V-22uF/35V Electrolytic

Capacitor Radial Leads, OBSERVE POLARITY!

Can be dipped tantalum or alum. Electrolytic,

required only if U10 installed, Optional

C19 470uF/16VDC or higher Electrolytic

Capacitor Radial Leads, OBSERVE POLARITY!

Alum. Electrolytic, stripe is negative. If 2 lower

voltage 470uF caps are provided, one goes

HERE.

C100, C101 0.1uF/50V or better bypass Capacitor Radial leads, Can be marked .1 or 104, dipped

or molded case.

C102 470uF/16VDC or higher Electrolytic

Capacitor Radial Leads, OBSERVE POLARITY!

Alum. Electrolytic, stripe is negative. If a lower

voltage 470uF cap is provided, it goes HERE

C103 3.3uF-10uF at least 250VDC Radial Leads, OBSERVE POLARITY! Stripe is

negative.

C104 2.2nF film Capacitor Radial Leads, may be blue or red in color.

D1, D2, D3, D4,

D5, D8 1A/50V or better rectifier, 1N4001-

4007 Plastic or glass, axial leads

D6 1N5817 or better Schottky rectifier Plastic, axial leads, be sure this is the correct

part before installation.

D7 ICTE5, 1N6373A, 5V Transorb Zener over-voltage protection for 5V supply

rail.

Install before UP1 is installed.

D9 1A/50V or better rectifier, 1N4001-

4007 Plastic or glass, axial leads, Used only if U10

installed, Optional.

D100 MUR160, UF160 or 1N4937 Ultra-fast

rectifier MUR/UF160 preferred. Plastic, axial leads.

D101 T 1 ¾ Green LED Flat side is cathode (short lead), align to

square PCB pad. Install plastic spacer

underneath.

DS1, DS2, DS4,

DS5 NE2 short Neon Lamp Plain neon lamp, Colon indicator, install plastic

spacer underneath. Mounts on Colon sub-

board, sleeving around indicator may be

useful to reduce reflections on adjacent nixie

tubes.

DS3 NE2 short Neon Lamp Plain neon lamp, HV BITE indicator, install

plastic spacer underneath.

F1 RXE075 Polyswitch fuse (looks like

yellow disc capacitor) Radial Leads, larger disc.

F100 RXE030 Polyswitch fuse (looks like

yellow disk) Radial Leads, smaller disc.

J2 DC power connector Seat firmly to board.

J9, J10, J11 20 pin male 0.1” pitch header Can be shrouded or unshrouded, not required

on combined board unless remote display

operation is intended. Can be top or bottom

mounted.

L100 Ferrite bead on a lead Can be any style, single or multi-turn bead.

L101 100 or 150uH 2A toroid choke.

CTX150-1-52 or sim. Mount elevated as shown. RTV under to

anchor the part is useful. Larger value reduces

waste heat.

LED1 T 1 ¾ Green LED Flat side is cathode (short lead), align to

square PCB pad. Install plastic spacer

underneath.

N1, N2, N3, N4,

N5, N6 IN-14 Nixie Tube Flying leads, trim for easier insertion. Remove

bases if LED back lighting will be used.

R1, R2, R3, R4,

R5, R6 22K, ½ W Resistors 5% Axial Leads, CC: red, red, orange, gold

Elevate above board slightly.

R7 680K, ¼ W Resistor 5% Axial Leads, CC: blue, gray, yellow, gold

R8, R9, R10, R11 499K, ¼ W Resistors 1% Axial Leads, CC: yellow, white, white, orange,

brown. Note that the bottom leads of R9, R10

are used to attach the colon sub-board, do not

cut! Mounts on colon sub-board, note that

early board art has 100K marked.

R12, R13 33K, ¼ W Resistors 5% Axial Leads, CC: orange, orange, orange, gold.

R14, R15, R16 4.7K Ohm, ¼ W Resistors 5% Axial Leads, CC: yellow, violet, red, gold

R17 470 Ohm, ¼ W Resistor 5% Axial Leads, CC: yellow, violet, brown, gold

R18 10 Ohm 2W Flameproof Resistor 5% Elevate above the board, CC: brown, black,

black, gold. Can be increased if input voltage is

higher than the default 12VDC, used to

dissipate excess heat from U9.

R100 33K, ¼ W Resistor 5% Axial Leads, CC: orange, orange, orange, gold.

R101 1K, ¼ W Resistors 5% Axial Leads, CC: brown, black, red, gold

R102 221K, ¼ W Resistor 1% Axial Leads, CC: red, red, brown, orange,

brown

R103 Not used

R104 1K Trimpot May be single or multi-turn, face adjustment

out to outer edge.

R105 10K, ¼ W Resistor 5% Can also be 1%, Axial Leads, CC: brown,

black, orange, gold (5) or or brown black

black, red, brown (1%) or 1002F 1%.

R106 470 Ohms ¼ W Resistor 5% Axial leads. CC: yellow, violet, brown, gold

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