Released 12-02
GPS
Satellite Controlled Nixie Tube Clock (NixiSat)
40cm L x 16cm H; NixiSat is suitable for display in a
corporate lobby
or your residence. The 100mm tall Nixie Tubes are viewable
from a great distance.
NixiSat 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.
NixiSat 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. NixiSat 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.
The clock base is offered in a choice of two different woods:
American
Cherry, and American Walnut. Please click here for example images: Cherry
Walnut
Your NixiSat clock will remain accurate to within one 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.
NixiSat 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.
NixiSat 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; NixiSat
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.
Careful assembly is an important element in the appearance of
the clock.
The symmetrical component layout attracts your eyes to the electronics
inside.
The materials used to construct the NixiSat satellite
controlled nixie
clock are of the absolute highest quality.
The giant Z5680M Nixie Tubes were manufactured in Germany by
RFT, and
are NOS from a quarter century ago.
Jeff Thomas
Resonant Instruments LLC
480-516-4523
Click
here to return to the Nixie Clock and Nixie Wristwatch site