GPS-Disciplined Oscillator GPSDO Drives Electro-Mechanical (Analog) ClockCircuit converts unipolar GPSDO output to bipolar clock motor drive signal. A GPS-disciplined oscillator (GPSDO) provides precisely timed 100 mS unipolar (3.3V) pulses at one-second intervals (1 pps), synchronised to Universal Time (UT). A GPSDO can be had for around $100 from eBay. Figure 1 ![]() Figure 2 ![]() The input pulses from the GPSDO drive a CMOS CD4027 dual flip-flop. One section (1/2) is wired as a one-shot multivibrator, the other section (2/2) as a 'polarity alternator'. The output from the one-shot drives a PNP pass transistor. The outputs from the polarity alternator drive a conventional H-bridge circuit made of complementary (PNP/NPN) transistor pairs. Series resister R limits the voltage across the motor winding to 1.5V. The value of R is determined by multiplying the winding resistance by 7/3 (2.33). The 1k resistor and 1 µF capacitor dampen high-frequency ringing in the motor winding. The circuit requires positive DC power in the range of 7-35 volts. It can be powered from the same source (wall wart) that powers the GPSDO. As Built![]() ![]() Clock Modification - Connecting to the Motor Winding
InitializationInitialization is done manually. Go to Official U.S. Time or other UT source. With the clock running, move the minute and/or second hand as necessary until the clock displays the correct time. Do not force the hour hand. The clock will continue to tell the correct time unless power is interrupted.
Installed![]() The GPSDO is on the left. The converter/driver is in the white plastic box on the right.
Addendum Other Available GPSDO OutputsA precise 10 MHz frequency reference output is also provided, useful for frequency calibration, along with a serial RS232 9600 BPS NMEA signal for use with GPS geolocation software. Neither of these outputs are used in the above clock application but are always available. Related LinksA GPSDO can be had for around $100 from eBay Geolocation/Time Sync Software DE9 9 Pin Female to 3.5mm Male Plug Schematics produced with DCCAD. Web host: maxmcarter.com |