Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’
Issue 3 (25 July 2018)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
- 33 -
7.
XTERNA FUNCTIONS
7.1
About the XTERNA Module
XTERNA is our new concept for synchronising time and capturing
outdoor temperature for display on our clock and thermometer
kits. Driven by a PIC microcontroller with advanced low power
modes, the XTERNA captures time from GPS satellites every 6
hours, and stores in an on-board Temperature Controlled Crystal
Oscillator (TCXO). Further, the device captures outdoor
temperature every 10 minutes from an on-board DS18B20 digital
temperature sensor. Every 10 minutes XTERNA transmits the time
and temperature data, which can be received by our XTERNA
compatible clocks.
Additional data is transmitted such as battery voltage and GPS fix
time.
Supplied as a complete hobby kit of parts (For shipping reasons,
batteries are not included), the kit takes approx 30-40 minutes to
comfortably assemble. The TCXO IC is pre-soldered, so there is no
fiddly SMD soldering to worry about.
Naturally, XTERNA is sealed against rain ingress. Battery life is
estimated between 6 to 12 months. We recommend high quality
branded batteries for the longest operation between battery
changes.
The module should be placed outdoors. But as close as possible to
the indoor clock or thermometer and away from direct sunlight.
7.2
Specification
Working Temperature Range: -40 °C to +60 °C. (-40 °F to
+140 °F)
Typical Reception Range: 10 to 30 Metres (30 to 100 ft).
7.3
Configuring for XTERNA Reception
Elite Class Nixie Clocks are configured by default for XTERNA
reception. If you have changed your configuration settings, you
need to set parameter 12 to value 5. Also parameters 14, 15, 16
need to be set to specify your location’s offset from UTC.
