NixieClock IV-22 VFD Module for Arduino

This items contains one VDF-Tube as well as the power adaptor shown on the first picture!

VDF tube, vacuum fluorescent display, which was invented in Japan in 1967, typifies the display component of the vacuum electronic era.

Just as the Nixie Tube, VFD tube is also on the verge of extinction. It has been fade out from modern applications since the 1990′s. Young generations may have never seen its limpid cyan fluorescence, given life by the intelligence of the last century.

With the same concept of developing the Nixie Tube module for Arduino, in order to make the VFD tube reborn, combined antiquated electronics with modern technology, the VFD tube module is developed as independent blocks. Without headaches about high-voltage generation, logical driver, soldering, geekers can focus their time and energy on achieving the design idea of the final works. Meanwhile, for designers with no electronic background, Arduino is all they need, of which 4 I/O pins can supply full control on a dozens of VFD tube modules with individual RGB led background lights. Other MCU systems or developer kits would do the same.

The technology of VFD is still widely used nowadays, however, no more in tubes. VFD screen is Hi-fi equiment, Automobile instrument panels. This device consists of a hot cathode (filaments), anodes (phosphor) and grids encased in a glass envelope under a high vacuum condition. The cathode is made up of fine tungsten wires, coated by alkaline earth metal oxides, which emit electrons when heated by an electric current. These electrons are controlled and diffused by the grids, which are made up of thin metal. If electrons impinge on the phosphor-coated plates, they fluoresce, emitting light. Constract to the Nixie tube, it requires lower supply voltage, which means is safer and longer life expectancy.

This module application use model IV-22 (ИВ-22) VFD tube, dimensioned as a rectangle of 32mm * 22mm. It display on top with 12 pins. These batch of tube were mass manufactured in former Soviet Union during the Cold War, whereas, they are stored in warehouse corners and being forgotten. But its material guarantees its unlimited shelf life.

The specifications of IV-22 VFD tube:
1.  High vacuum inside, unlike the inertia in nixie tube.
2.  Lower voltage requirement and energy consumption. The filament voltage is between 1.0 and 1.3 volt, working both on DC and AC. The voltage of anodes (phosphor) against grids is 22-30v. The current in filament is 100mA, while 4-10mA in grids.
3.  Seven-segment digital display, can present decimal figures and basic letters.
4.  Cyan colored, bright light with high contrast, visible even in daylight, and not Glare.

As my QS30-1 Nixie tube module, every section of IV-22 can work individually, and can be plugged in serial with its input and output interface on both sides. Only 4 I/O pins are needed to full control the figures and background led.

The dimension of this module:
length: 50mm, width: 36mm, base height: 16mm, whole height: 45mm.

Specifications of IV-22 VFD tube module for Arduino:
1.  Display with old IV-22（ИВ-22）VFD tubes with over 20 years history. </li>
2.  12 gold-plated pins, easy to plug.</li>
3.  Serial extendibility, suitable for one-tube application and huge work like the Great Wall.</li>
4.  GRB led on board, independent color control.</li>
5.  Simple SPI interface, compatible with Arduino or other similar MCU systems.</li>
6.  5V DC / 250 mA power consumption for each section. USB 2.0 port is capable to supply 2 sections.</li>
7.  Extra 5v out to power Arduino or the controller board.</li>
8.  Two-layer, gold-plated PCB with art tendencies.</li>
9.  Laser-cut acrylic font and back cover, with stainless-steel hex screws</li>
10.  PCD manufactured by SMT Robot path soldering. Nice finishings.</li>

All these specifications and conception got only one purpose, to help every VFD tube fan to focus his work and ideas, free of worries about the complex power supply and logical control. And with the experience of designing the QS30-1 Nixie Tube module and IV-22′s character, one PCB of 50mm x 36mm can do all the jobs.

On the hardware design view, this module includes modules as below.

1. High efficiency DC-DC voltage pump
It has been tested that VFD tube works best when the voltage of anodes against grids is 26v. To gain 26v from 5v power supply, a 5v to 26v voltage pump is needed. I adapted the classic MC34063A and its accessories. No extra MOS tube is needed. And the module would not heat when working.

2. LDO power supply for filament
The filament voltage is set to 1.2v. LDO linear voltage stablizer ASM1117-1.2 is applied.

3. Serial-In Parallel out logical Driver
In order to get serial extendibility, two chips of 74HC595 is assembled on each module. Pins and sockets on both sides supply convienience for stacking.

4. RGB Background Led
As the base of the VFD tube, a 5050 packaged RGB Led is installed to emit background lights, which is also connected to 74HC595.

5. Circuit Protection
Each module got its own power supply and logical driver, would not interrupts each other. However, they share the same power source. In order to prevent the power supply failure on one section to interrupt others, there is a power protection circuit on each module. Once there is Over flow, power reverse happened. The protection circuit would prevent the damage to other components or modules.

Since there is only one PCB board, we can see all the components from the top view. However, there is a top acrylic cover to offer protection.
The imported acrylic cover with laser cut, matches VFD tube quite well no matter on effects or precisions.

Haben Sie eine Frage zum Produkt? Haben Sie eine Anregung zur Beschreibung oder sogar einen Fehler entdeckt? Kontaktieren Sie uns!