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Design and Construction of a Digital Clock with Alarm and LED Display

Technical Report · August 2019

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.31626.18883

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 KATHMANDU UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

PROJECT FINAL REPORT

Design and Construction of a Digital Clock with Alarm and LED Display

By:
Dipak Aryal (22001)

Sangharsh Sharma (22022)

Sandesh Belbase (22032)

Rajan Shah (22051)

Prashan Tiwari (22056)

Submitted to:
Om Nath Acharya

July 2019
 ABSTRACT
The aim of the project is to design a twelve hour Digital Clock that displays the
time digitally, in contrast to an analog clock, where the time is indicated by the positions
of rotating hands. With the help of counters and decoders, a digital clock to display time
in hours, minutes and seconds can be constructed. Digital clock has a counter that
receives a clock signal from any source and increases the number according to the clock
signal. The main clock signal having 1 Hertz frequency is given to the decade counter
which provides binary output to the decoder driver. This driver decodes the binary input
to decimal and sends it to the seven segment display. The counter triggers the counter
next to it when it resets. The remaining counters work in a similar fashion by receiving
a clock signal from the previous counter and giving a clock signal to the next counter
when it resets. Seven-segment display is a very common and efficient option for
displaying a decimal value. The project focuses on building a digital clock with simple
gates, flip-flops and counters with sequential logic rather than any programming based
element.

i
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................... i

CHAPTER-1 ................................................................................................................. 1

INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Background ...................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Objectives ........................................................................................................ 1

1.3 System Overview ............................................................................................. 1

CHAPTER-2 ................................................................................................................. 5

TECHNOLOGY AND LITERATURE SURVEY ................................................ 5

CHAPTER-3 ................................................................................................................. 6

DETAILS OF PROJECT ACTIVITY ................................................................... 6

3.1 Block Diagram ................................................................................................. 6

3.2Working principle ............................................................................................. 7

GANTT CHART .......................................................................................................... 9

CONCLUSION .......................................................................................................... 10

1. IC 7490 Datasheet ............................................................................................ 12

2. IC 7447 Datasheet ............................................................................................ 13

3. NE555 Timer Datasheet ................................................................................... 14

4.4-Bit Magnitude Comparator(IC 7485) ............................................................ 15

5. D-Flip flop(IC 7474) ........................................................................................ 16

6. DIP Switch ....................................................................................................... 17

ii
 CHAPTER-1
INTRODUCTION
In today’s modern world, it has become an absolute necessity to keep count of time in offices,
schools and every possible area. A clock in general is used to display the current time. There
are two types of clocks namely: analog and digital.
A digital clock is a type of clock that displays the time digitally (i.e. in numerals or other
symbols), as opposed to an analog clock, where the time is indicated by the positions of rotating
hands. The ‘Digital’ description here only refers to the display not the drive. Now a day’s a
manufactured digital clock comes with alarm and also sometimes with day and temperature
display, but this project involves building only a clock from basic digital logic ideas.
1.1 Background
One of the past century’s revolutionary changes in the time of timepieces was the coming of
digital clocks. The earliest patent for a digital alarm clock was registered by D.E Protzmann
and others on October 23, 1956, in the United States. In 1970, the first digital wristwatch with
an LED display was mass-produced by the early 1980s; the BBC notes that Japan began
concentration on further development of digital timepieces. [1] Over the years, many different
types of digital alarm clocks have been developed.
1.2 Objectives
 To gain the knowledge and familiarize with different ICs, gates, flip-flops and counters.
 To apply the knowledge gained from digital logic into practice.
 To involve ourselves in the best way possible in this project by having practical
knowledge and by becoming more resourceful and efficient.

1.3 System Overview

Sequential logic circuits are those logical circuits whose output value not only depends upon
the present input values but also on the past output values. In contrast to sequential logic,
combinational logic output only depends on the present input values. Thus, as an advantage
sequential logic can be used to store a particular value and update the value as per the need and
store the new value. It is a basic building block in digital circuitry and memory circuitry. And
the most crucial part to create memory is flip-flop. These flip flops are the basic block of a
digital system that can store a bit. Manipulating those stored bits, various functions can be
carried out with a digital system.
The project involves creating such a digital system with the help of the flip flop in an integrated
manner that would work as a digital clock.
1.3.1 Clock signal
A digital clock needs a reference time so it can function accurately. This reference time is
gained by the clock signal. This is a special kind of signal that is oscillates in between a low
and high state so it can be utilized as a metronome to coordinate actions in digital circuits. So
basically it is a square wave that is produced by a clock generator. The high level of the
waveform can be different according to the requirement of the circuit. In TTL standard it is
5V. In this project, we have used 555 timer IC to generate 1 Hz frequency which is equivalent

1
to 1 second.

Source: http://www.designcabana.com/knowledge/electrical/electronics/digital/clock/
Figure 1: Clock Signal

1.3.2 Counters
A counter is basically a system that advances each time a clock signal is given to it. Build with
flip flops, a counter is probably one of the most useful and versatile subsystems in a digital
system. Since the clock pulses occur at known intervals the counter can be used as an
instrument for measuring time and therefore period or frequency. These counters are used in
the digital clock to count the clock cycle and with the number of cycle changing uniformly
with respect to the time it can be converted to its respective decimal number and be displayed.
A number of flip-flops can be embedded in an IC and can be used as a counter. A 7490 IC
counter will be used for this project.

Source: http://projectshopbd.com/product/ic-7490-i9/
Figure 2: IC 7490
1.3.3 Decoders
Decoders convert the information in one format to another. In the project a BCD to seven
segment display decoder takes the output from the counter and decodes it to the format that is
given to a seven segment display. A 7447 IC will be used as a decoder driver for this project.

Source: http://foto-basa.com/image1data-74ls47-ic.htm
Figure 3: IC 7447

2
1.3.4 Seven-Segment display
A seven segment display uses LED’s on segments to display decimal numbers. The seven
segments can be displayed in various combinations in order to display different numbers. This
provides a very convenient way of displaying information or digital data in the form of
numbers, letters or even alpha-numerical characters. The output from decoders is given to these
units so they can display the output in the format that a person can understand. Seven segment
displays are of two types, common cathode and common anode.

Source: https://developer.mbed.org/users/amos/notebook/dual-digit-7-segment-display/
Figure 4: Seven Segment Display

1.3.5 DIP Switch

A DIP switch is a set of small on-off electromechanical switch arranged in a row that are
commonly used to change the operation mode of the device. DIP stands for dual-in-line
package which means the electrically conductive pins are in two rows. In this project, it is
used to set the time for the alarm.

Source: https://potentiallabs.com/cart/dip-switch-8-pin

Figure 5: DIP Switch

1.3.6 Magnitude Comparator

A magnitude comparator is a combinational circuit that compares two binary numbers in

order to find out whether one binary number is equal, less than or greater than the other
binary number. In this project, IC 7485 called 4-bit Magnitude Comparator is used which
compares two binary numbers each of four bits.

3
Source: https://www.robodocbd.com/product/detail/IC-7485

Figure 6: IC 7485

4
 CHAPTER-2
TECHNOLOGY AND LITERATURE SURVEY
The project digital clock is not a new concept. We’ve been somehow familiar with logic circuits
in this semester but prior to this, it was and still is a little more advanced and complex topic for
us. In our first year, we already learnt the basic components involving these circuits. But this
time, it’s a bigger challenge for us as this system involves more complex circuits and more
logic gates and ICs.
To know further on this topic, we have gained much knowledge from the internet. Also, our
digital logic course (EEEG 202) helps us mainly for the literature survey. We knew much about
counters, flipflops, sequential circuits and other essential things from our course only. The
scope of digital circuits and sequential logic gates is much high in electronics and computer
science. Digital clocks have already been invented before and several enthusiasts in this field
have contributed in many ways using the same concept. We are simply researchers and learners
trying to involve ourselves and innovate in the best way we can. Our main motive and research
therefore, is to implement this circuit from our own knowledge and put it into action by
properly understanding the behavior of individual components and how they are connected to
each other.
We are well known about the fact that various projects like these are simpler to build using
microcontrollers. Most of the circuits in the internet are based in the same way. Similarly, we
found out that we could use IC 4026 for this project. But since we are to build a digital clock
that displays time in 12 hrs. format, we couldn’t use this IC as it couldn’t be used in this fashion.
So accordingly, we have used IC 7490 as decade counter and IC 7447 as decoder driver with
seven segment displays for the output counter display.
The only issue is that the final circuit is highly complex therefore we need to be highly sensitive
while soldering and implementing on PCB and building it on breadboard as well. So, we are
trying our best to design this successfully.

5
 CHAPTER-3
DETAILS OF PROJECT ACTIVITY
3.1 Block Diagram

Alarm

A/P

Figure 7: Block Diagram

6
3.2Working principle

Figure 8: Simulation circuit

A 12 hour clock would display the format of time as HH: MM: SS: A/P. Each second and
minute can be written as S1S0, M1M0 and H1H0 respectively, where 0 represents the one’s digit
1 represents the ten’s digit. Since the second’s count is from 0 to 59, S0 counter counts from 0
to 9 from the 1 Hz clock signal it receives. After 9 it resets to 0 and sends a clock signal to the
counter S1. This counter counts from 0-5 and when the S1 and S0 counter reach 59 they both
reset to 0 and the S1 counter sends a clock signal to the M0 counter. In a similar fashion the M0

7
counter receives its signal from S1 counter every time it resets and the M0 counter counts from
0-9, resets and sends its clock signal to M1 counter. When the counters M1 and M0 together
reach 59 the M1 counter sends its clock signal to the hour counter. The H0 counter counts from
0-9, resets and sends the signal to the H1 counter. This H1 counter counts from 0-1. When the
H1H0 counters reaches 12, it resets and shows 01 on the counters. We’ve used another seven
segment display to show the A.M. and P.M. indication. We’ve used a D flipflop as a T flipflop
and as soon as the clock reaches 12, the toggling occurs and A.M to P.M or vice-versa transition
occurs.
Again, for the alarm segment, we’ve used DIP switches by which we can set the time for the
alarm setting. The inputs from the alarm and the clocks of the counter are compared in the
magnitude comparator. As soon as they are equal, a high output goes on the buzzer and it
blows.Thus, we’ve got our alarm facility.

8
GANTT CHART
Months Sep Nov Dec Jan March April May June July
Task
Literature
Survey

Prototype
Designing

Circuit design
and software
simulation
Mid-term
presentation

Circuit
implementation
on matrix
Customization
of mechanical
design
Final Report

Task
Completed

9
CONCLUSION
Thus, this is how our main system has been built up. More and more knowledge involving the
whole system has been gained with time and through more research. We have completed this
project successfully and have successfully made a 12 hour digital clock with an alarm and a
A.M./P.M. display.

10
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1] M. M. Mano, Digital Design, Prentice Hall, 1994.

[2] "Elctronics course," [Online]. Available: http://electronics-course.com/digital-

clock. [Accessed 02 october 2018].
[3] Wikipedia Contributors, “Digital clock,” Wikipedia, 18-Oct-2018. [Online].
Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_clock. [Accessed: 26-Dec-2018].
[4] EngineersGarage, “74LS90 | IC 74LS90 Datasheet | IC 7490 Pin Diagram &
Description,” Engineersgarage.com, 01-Jan-2000. [Online]. Available:
https://www.engineersgarage.com/electronic-components/74ls90-ic-datasheet.
[Accessed: 26-Dec-2018].
[5] “How Digital Clocks Work,” HowStuffWorks, 01-Apr-2000. [Online]. Available:
https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/clocks-watches/digital-clock5.htm.
[Accessed: 26-Dec-2018].
[6] admin, “Interfacing 7-segment display using 7447 decoder |
electrofriends.com,” Electrofriends.com, 19-Nov-2012. [Online]. Available:
http://electrofriends.com/articles/electronics/microcontroller-electronics-
articles/8051-8951/interfacing-7-segment-display-using-7447-decoder/.
[Accessed: 26-Dec-2018].
[7] Wikipedia Contributors, “555 timer IC,” Wikipedia, 21-Dec-2018. [Online].
Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/555_timer_IC. [Accessed: 26-Dec-2018].
[8] Wikipedia Contributors, “LED display,” Wikipedia, 20-Dec-2018. [Online].
Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LED_display. [Accessed: 26-Dec-2018].

11
 APPENDICES:

1. IC 7490 Datasheet

Pin Description:

Pin
Function Name
No
1 Clock input 2 Input2
2 Reset1 R1
3 Reset2 R2
4 Not connected NC
5 Supply voltage; 5V (4.75V – 5.25V) Vcc
6 Reset3 R3
7 Reset4 R4
8 Output 3, BCD Output bit 2
QC
9 Output 2, BCD Output bit 1
QB
10 Ground (0V) Ground

11 Output 4, BCD Output bit 3

QD
12 Output 1, BCD Output bit 0
QA
13 Not connected NC

14 Clock input 1 Input1

12
2. IC 7447 Datasheet

Pin Description:

Pin No Function Name

1 BCD Input 2 A1
2 BCD Input 3 A2
3 Display test; Active low LT
4 Ripple blanking output; Active low RBO
5 Ripple blanking input; Active low RBI
6 BCD Input 4 A3
7 BCD Input 1 A0
8 Ground (0V) Ground
9 E
10 D
11 C
12 Segment outputs; Active low B
13 A
14 G
15 F
16 Supply voltage; 5V (4.75V – 5.25V) Vcc

13
 3. NE555 Timer Datasheet

Pin Description:

Pin No Function Name

1 Ground (0V) Ground

2 Voltage below 1/3 Vcc to trigger the pulse Trigger

3 Pulsating output Output

4 Active low; interrupts the timing interval at Output Reset

5 Provides access to the internal voltage divider; default 2/3 Vcc Control Voltage

6 The pulse ends when the voltage is greater than Control Threshold

7 Open collector output; to discharge the capacitor Discharge

8 Supply voltage; 5V (4.5V - 16 V) Vcc

14
4.4-Bit Magnitude Comparator(IC 7485)

Pin Description:

Pin Symbol Description

1 B3 word B input
2 I(A<B) A < B expansion input
3 I(A=B) A = B expansion input
4 I(A>B) A > B expansion input
5 Q(A>B) A > B output
6 Q(A=B) A = B output
7 Q(A<B) A < B output
8 GND ground
9 B0 word B input
10 A0 word A input
11 B1 word B input
12 A1 word A input
13 A2 word A input
14 B2 word B input
15 A3 word A input
16 Vcc supply voltage

15
5. D-Flip flop(IC 7474)

Pin Description:

Pin Number Description

1 Clear 1 Input

2 D1 Input

3 Clock 1 Input

4 Preset 1 Input

5 Q1 Output

6 Complement Q1 Output

7 Ground

8 Complement Q2 Output

9 Q2 Output

10 Preset 2 Input

11 Clock 2 Input

12 D2 Input

13 Clear 2 Input

14 Positive Supply

16
 6. DIP Switch

17

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