Compact
GPS Satellite Controlled Nixie Tube Clock kit (GPSII)
200mm L x 80mm H; GPSII was designed to compliment a desk in
your residence.
The six 15mm digit Nixie Tubes are easily visible from a distance too.
GPSII is controlled by an integrated GPS satellite receiver
module,
decoding transmissions from 28 US government defense satellites
orbiting
our planet.
The NAVigation Satellite Timing and Ranging
(NAVSTAR) system was
developed to meet the military needs of the United States Department of
Defense.
The extraordinary ranging accuracy of GPS is the result of an
ultra-stable
cesium clock reference transmitted by the ground based segments of
NAVSTAR.
GPSII takes advantage of the NAVSTAR precision timekeeping system to
deliver a clock with "beyond question"
accuracy.
There are no other satellite
controlled clocks offering a comparable level of performance, and
embedded
features at a hobby kit price. GPSII uses a Direct
Drive
Nixie Tube display.
No multiplexing was used. Although more complex; Direct Drive
offers the distinct advantages of a brighter digit display, and
extended
(10+ yr) tube life.
This clock was developed as a partnering project with John
Miktuk. An engineering team approach will always
deliver
a superior product to the customer.
GPSII will remain accurate to within a fraction of a second of
the GPS
Satellite transmission. Far superior to local
oscillator
and AC line referenced clocks.
Local Time, Date, Latitude / Longitude coordinates,
and the temperature can be configured to scroll across the display at
intervals
of: 1, 15, 30, 60 minutes.
Time can be displayed in 12 or 24 hour format. For 12 hour
format:
a PM indicator is located at the lower left of the
display.
Date can be displayed in either
mm,dd,yy OR dd,mm,yy format. The temperature
can be displayed in degrees F or degrees C with quarter degree
precision.
A pleasing soft chime tone
can be enabled to strike at selected intervals, and a choice of chime
styles are provided. The scrolling speed can be varied from slow
to -fast in a range of ten
individual steps. And, each of the features can be separately
disabled from the periodic scrolling cycle. The colon
indicators
separating the paired digits can
vary their configuration to upper, lower, or independent. This
determines
whether the Time, Date, Coordinates or Temperature are currently
being displayed.
GPSII receives the satellite transmissions using a compact
"puck" style
1.5Ghz antenna. Some locations may provide adequate satellite reception
inside of a
structure, whereas others will require an externally mounted
antenna.
The antenna is weatherproof, and includes a 20' coaxial lead in for
external
mounting.
GPSII incorporates a unique method of operation in areas with
"spotty"
reception due to limited antenna mounting considerations; a secondary
time
source!
In the event of satellite signal loss after successful startup; GPSII
will continue operation using the high precision 1pps signal pulse from
the GPS receiver.
The lower right colon lamp will extinguish to indicate the clock is
operating from the local precision, then relight when the satellite
signal
has been restored.
If power is lost, a lithium battery will maintain GPS receiver
ephemeris,
and quickly resume operation when power is restored. No
typical
cold start TTFF
(Time To First Fix) delay is incurred when NixiSat is re
powered.
The initial startup acquire after installation may take 10-30 minutes,
location dependent.
The symmetrical component layout attracts your eyes to the
electronics
inside. Two PCB's arranged in an "L" contain all the electronics for
GPSII.
The vertical PCB supports the MCU, regulated supply , and the GPS
satellite
receiver module. The horizontal PCB supports a high voltage power
supply, display control, and the Nixie Tubes. GPSII
operates from a compact 12vdc wall power adapter, accepting 90-260VAC
from
47-63 Hz.
Click
here
to download the GPSII Operation manual in .PDF format.
