Design And Construction Of A Digital Clock Using Arduino

Electrical Electronics Engineering | Engineering | Industrial Engineering

The design and construction of a digital clock using Arduino involves programming and integrating electronic components to create a functional timekeeping device. The Arduino microcontroller serves as the brain of the clock, orchestrating the display and timekeeping functions through precise coding. Key components include an Arduino board, a real-time clock module for accurate timekeeping, LED or LCD display for visual output, and supporting circuitry such as resistors and capacitors. The programming logic includes setting up the real-time clock module, obtaining time data, and displaying it on the chosen output display in a user-friendly format. Through careful integration of hardware and software, this project demonstrates the fusion of electronics and programming to realize a reliable digital timepiece.

ABSTRACT

Digital clock is a type of clock that displays the time digitally (i.e. in numerals), as opposed to an analog clock, where the time is indicated by the positions of rotating hands.

Digital clocks are often associated with electronic drives, but the “digital” description refers only to the display, not to the drive mechanism.

The aim of this work is to design a digital clock which is also known as computer clock. Digital clock counts hours, minutes, seconds, months, days and even years. Digital clock can be found running in personal computers, embedded systems and servers, and are present in any electronic device that may require accurate time keeping. Being able to still function even when the computer is powered down through a battery or independently from the system’s main power is fundamental.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COVER PAGE

TITLE PAGE

APPROVAL PAGE

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

PROBLEM STATEMENT
PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT
AIM/OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT
APPLICATION OF THE PROJECT
SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
PROJECT ORGANISATION

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY
REVIEW OF THE STUDY
POWER SOURCE OF RTC
TIMING OF REAL TIME CLOCK
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF DIGITAL CLOCK
REVIEW OF DIGITAL CLOCK
THE HISTORITICAL BACKGROUND OF THE DIGITAL CLOCK

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

INTRODUCTION
SYSTEM BLOCK DIAGRAM
SYSTEM CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

CHAPTER FOUR

.0 CONSTRUCTION PROCEDURE AND TESTING ANALYSIS
- CASING AND PACKAGING
- ASSEMBLING OF SECTIONS
- TESTING OF SYSTEM OPERATION
- INSTALLATION OF THE COMPLETED DESIGN
- COST ANALYSIS
- DESCRIPTION OF SOME MAJOR COMPONENTS USED

CHAPTER FIVE

CONCLUSION
RECOMMENDATION
REFERENCES

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Digital clock is very useful projects for final year students. It has an Inbuilt Real Time Clock which tracks over the Real Time. It displays the time in hh:mms format. The time and date can be changed at any Time using the button. The Real Time Clock is displayed on LCD display.

The purpose of an digital clock is to provide precise time and date which can be used for various applications. Digital clock is an electronic device in the form of an Integrated Chip (IC) available in various packaging options. It is powered by an internal lithium battery. As a result of which even if the power of the system is turned off, the digital clock keeps running.

It plays a very important role in the real time systems like digital clock, attendance system, digital camera etc. In applications where time stamp is needed, digital clock is a good option. Using digital clock for designing such application has always been a good designer’s choice although the beginning might be a bit difficult.

While designing any real time system which deals with time, there are two ways of handling the time factor. One is to generate the time internally which is done by programming the timers of the controller; and the other is to use a digital clock. The following table shows the comparison of these methods while designing a real time application.

1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT

The first clock that was invented was analogue clock which has no other features apart from time and it also consumes higher power and stops working as soon as the power battery is removed. These disadvantages also happen in our digital clocks – their time is reset or stopped as soon as the system power battery or source is removed. However, digital real time clock came to overcome these problems. Digital clock counts hours, minutes, seconds, months, days and even years digitally. Digital clock can be found running in personal computers, embedded systems and servers, and are present in any electronic device that may require accurate time keeping. Being able to still function even when the computer is powered down through a battery or independently from the system’s main power is fundamental.

1.3 AIM OF THE PROJECT

The objective of this project is to construct a device that will display the time in seconds, minutes and hours, even date. The time and date can be set using the button.

1.4 PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT

The purpose of a digital clock is to provide precise time and date which can be used for various applications.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT

You truly cannot be an organized human being unless you use a good timing system! And if you’re still someone who likes to keep all of their appointments, activities – I highly encourage you to consider tossing out the paper and find an electronic clock system that works for you.

One of the most beautiful things about digital clock is that they can be synced, so you can have your clock on your smart phone, your tablet, your laptop, as well as it can sync to your husband’s electronic clock and your kids’ clock. So no matter where you are- you can easily look up and see what your current appointments are for any given day. And the important people in your life can know the latest schedule and commitments too- without coming home and consulting the kitchen wall.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT

Even if there is power failure, this clock displays the right time using an inverter.
Simplicity of the system.
Accuracy of the system.
digital clock ICs have proved to be more precise than other methods — like programming the timer of the controller.
It frees the main system from time-critical tasks.
It has low power consumption and improved frequency stability.

1.7 APPLICATIONS OF THE PROJECT
Because digital real time clock is very small and inexpensive devices that enhance the popularity of product designs, they are often incorporated into all kinds of devices such as
i. Cars

Radios

iii.Televisions

personal computers,
alarm clock
embedded systems and servers

1.8 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

Digital real time clock counts hours, minutes, seconds, months, days and even years digitally. Digital clock accurately keep time, even when the device is powered off because, it is often used as a trigger for turning the device on or triggering events such as alarm clocks. Digital clock ICs run on an alternate power source, which allows it to continually operate under low power or even when the computer is turned off. ICs on older systems utilize lithium batteries, whereas newer systems make use of auxiliary batteries or supercapacitors. Digital clock ICs that use supercapacitors are rechargeable and can be soldered. But in most consumer-grade motherboards, the digital clock is powered by a single battery that, when removed, resets the digital clock to its starting point.

Digital clock regulate time with the use of a crystal oscillator and do not rely on clock signals like most hardware clocks. Aside from being responsible for the timing function of the system and its clock, digital clock ensure that all processes occurring in the system are appropriately synchronized. Although some may argue that this is a job for the system clock, the system clock is actually dependent on the digital clock, making the digital clock indirectly responsible for synchronization.

Digital clock battery should last for three to five years or more. Digital clocks are essential; if the battery fails, it must be replaced to ensure continued operation. A dead battery can be diagnosed with an error message at startup or if the user finds that the clock or the setup configuration has become corrupted, flaky or odd.

1.9 PROJECT WORK ORGANISATION

The various stages involved in the development of this project have been properly put into five chapters to enhance comprehensive and concise reading. In this project thesis, the project is organized sequentially as follows:

Chapter one of this work is on the introduction to a digital clock. In this chapter, the background, significance, objective limitation and problem of a digital clock were discussed.

Chapter two is on literature review of a digital clock. In this chapter, all the literature pertaining to this work was reviewed.

Chapter three is on design methodology. In this chapter all the method involved during the design and construction were discussed.

Chapter four is on testing analysis. All testing that result accurate functionality was analyzed.

Chapter five is on conclusion, recommendation and references.

CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 CONCLUSION

At the end of this work a digital real time clock was designed and tested and the result was positively achieved, with the result we said that the aim of the work was achieved.

During the design different methods were analysed to determine the best technique for creating an efficient timer until one was chosen and the circuit was designed. This design was then implemented and modified to suit the needs of the project. Problems were analysed and repaired where necessary until it was concluded that the circuit had met the design criteria of the project.

Once the correct operation of the circuit was verified, a PCB implementation was designed in order to make the circuit more concise and more accurate.

The PCB implementation did not perform as planned. Time restrictions meant that only track connectivity issues on the PCB were investigated and while several problems were identified, correcting these issues did not lead to normal operation of the circuit.

The special care taken to ensure minimum confusion, such as the colour coded, neat wiring, and the spacious layout on the largest available breadboard, was definitely an asset when testing the circuit. A few problems occurred, such as incorrect wiring of the registers, due to flawed reading of the datasheet, were easily resolved by moving the offending wire. Colour coding is highly recommended if attempting to replicate this circuit.

The tests revealed that all the chips are working perfectly. Each input bit can be shown correctly on the LEDs when selected, showing that the registers hold their values properly, and the multiplexers allow the correct bits through. Again, the flawless operation in the tests shows the benefit of excellent layout and wiring planning.

5.2 RECOMMENDATION

This project is designed to be used in homes, offices or industries, even at night to know every time of the day. And should be used and maintain by a qualified personnel.