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
100 W. Hoover Ave. Suite 3
Mesa, Arizona 85210
(480) 898-1195 ph
(480) 898-1215 fax
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