1
DIGITAL CLOCK PROJECT REPORT
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY HYDERABAD
ID1035: INDEPENDENT PROJECT
Professor: Dr.G.V.V Sharma
Designed by: MD. AAMIR SOHAIL
EE16BTECH11021
1 AIM OF THE PROJECT
Designing a 6-digit digital clock using 6-seven
segment display, Atmega328P AVR microcontroller
and programming.
2 INTRODUCTION
A digital clock is a type of clock that displays
the time numerically (i.e. in numerals), where as an
analog clock, displays the time by the positions of
rotating hands.
To represent the time, most digital clocks use a
seven-segment LED or LCD for each of desired
digits. They also used other elements to indicate
whether the time is AM or PM, or simply use 12
or 24 hour format. Some of the digital clock has
alarm function also. Now a days, they also include
date and day display.
3 OBJECTIVE
I have implemented the digital clock that displays
time in hours, minutes and second. The objective of
the project is to implement all the basic function
of the digital clock which we find in our daily life
routine. The features likes 24 hour display, clock
setting etc.
HOW TO USE: The user can set the clock by
the set buttons (one for minutes and the other for
hours) and toggle between hour and minute to set
the current time. There is a reset button to start the
clock from the beginning.
4 BASIC CONCEPT
• We know that 60 seconds equal to 1 minute
and 60 minutes equal to 1 hour. Hence the
minute section is drive by second section and
hour section by the minute section. Each of the
minute and second section has been designed to
give a count from 00 to 59 after which it resets
to 00. And the hour section to give a count
from 00 to 11 hours after which it resets to 00.
For each cycle of 00 to 59 in second section
the minute section increases its count by 1.
Similarly for each cycle of 00 to 59 in minute
section the hour section increases its count by
1. In this way when the clock reaches 11hrs.
59mins. 59secs. Each of the section resets to
00 giving us a display 00.00.00.
• To display all the 6 digits a large amount
of pins are needed to power it, so a special
technique is used called MULTIPLEXING.
Multiplexing works by switching between the
digits one by one very fast and by so creating an
illusion that of all displays are working at the same
time. This works by connecting all the 7 (a-g) pins
of the seven segment display to the same one on
a different segment. This reduces the no. of pins
required. Now we need only 7 pins.
CODE HAS BEEN DESIGNED BY KEEPING
THE BASIC CONCEPT IN THE MIND.
 2

5 MODULE STRUCTURE 8 COMPONENT DESCRIPTION

The entire project is divided into five modules. 1) ATMEGA328P: Atmel- ATmega328P is an 8-
They are as follows: bit microcontrollers. Atmel- Atmega328 MCUs
1) CIRCUIT DESIGNING SECTION. (using execute powerful instructions in a single clock
multiplexing). cycle, allowing the device to achieve through-
2) PROGRAMMING SECTION. puts approaching 1 MIPS per MHz while
3) TESTING SECTION (on the breadboard). balancing power consumption and processing
4) DESIGNING OF THE PCB. speed.
5) ASSEMBLY SECTION.

6 TOOLS REQUIRED
6.1 For PCB designing part:
1) Soldering Iron
2) Solder wire
3) Small needle plier
4) Small cutter
5) Wire striper

6.2 For Circuit testing part:

1) Breadboard
2) Jumper wires
3) Arduino UNO
4) Data cable (for the power supply to the Ar-
duino)
Fig. 1: ATMEGA328P

6.3 For programming part: Features

1) Arduino IDE a) High Performance, Low Power AVR 8-Bit
Microcontroller
b) Advanced RISC Architecture
7 COMPONENT USED c) Max I/O Pins: 23
d) Flash Analog Comparators: 1
For PCB Designing and Testing e) Temp. Range: -40 to 85 ◦C

S. No Material Quantity Applications

1 Atmega328P
2 Crystal oscillator-16MHz
3 22pF capacitor
4 220ohm resistor
5 10 kohm resistor
6 Seven segment display
7 Button
8 Potentiometer
9 PCB board
10 Rainbow wires stripes
1 a) Home and Building Automation
1 b) Industrial Automation
2 c) Sensors
6
1 2) SEVEN SEGMENT DISPLAY: A seven-
6 segment display is a form of electronic display
1 device for displaying decimal numerals that is
2 an alternative to the more complex dot matrix
1 displays. Seven-segment displays are widely
2 used in digital clocks, electronic meters, basic
calculators, and other electronic devices that
display numerical information.

3) POTENTIOMETER: A potentiometer is a
Fig. 2: SEVEN SEGMENT DISPLAY
There are two types of seven segment displays
a) Common Cathode
b) Common Anode (I have used common cath-
ode)
Fig. 3: Types of seven segment display
Fig. 4: Seven Segment Display logic
3
variable resistor. It has three pins one for
output (wiper) and the other two for power and
ground.
Potentiometers work by having a resistive ele-
ment inside. Both end terminals are attached to
it, and do not move. The wiper travels along the
strip when the knob is turned. The closer the
wiper is to the end terminal, less the resistance,
because the path of the current will be shorter.
The further away it moves from the terminal,
the greater will be the resistance.
Fig. 5: Potentiometer
Fig. 6: Potentiomter Symbol
 4

9 MODULE DETAILS 9.2 PROGRAMMING SECTION

9.1 CIRCUIT DESIGN SECTION I have used c programming and arduino program-
7 a-g pins of the one segment are connected to ming language. I have written the program step by
the same one of the other segment. COM- pins of step:
each display are connected to the 220 ohm resistors
and then to the digital output pins of the Arduino 1) For single digit common cathode display
as shown in figure. The 7 a-g pins of one segment void setup()
is connected to the 0-6 digital output pins of the {
Arduino. The push button has been used for the pinMode(2,OUTPUT);
reset purpose, Pin A0 has been used for the INPUT pinMode(3,OUTPUT);
given by push button. The A1 and A2 analog read pinMode(4,OUTPUT);
pins are used for the potentiometer, they are used pinMode(5,OUTPUT);
pinMode(6,OUTPUT);
to change the value of minute and hour as per our pinMode(7,OUTPUT);
desire, instead of resetting the clock. pinMode(8,OUTPUT);
pinMode(9,OUTPUT);
pinMode(10,OUTPUT);
}
void display(int N)
{
A=N%2;
N=N/2;
B=N%2;
N=N/2;
C=N%2;
D=N/2;
a=C&&!B&&!A||!D&&!C&&!B&&A;
b=C&&!B&&A||C&&B&&!A;
c=!C&&B&&!A;
d=!D&&!C&&!B&&A||C&&!B&&!A||C&&B&&A;
e=C&&!B||A;
f=!D&&!C&&!B&&A||B&&A||!C&&B&&!A;
g=C&&B&&A||!D&&!C&&!B;
}
void loop()
{
if(x==10)
{
x=0;
display(x);
}
Fig. 7: BLOCK DIAGRAM (Not scaled to pin else
configuration) {
display(x);
}
x=x+1;
digitalWrite(2,!a);
digitalWrite(3,!b);
digitalWrite(4,!c);
digitalWrite(5,!d);
digitalWrite(6,!e);
digitalWrite(7,!f);
digitalWrite(8,!g);
digitalWrite(9,HIGH);
digitalWrite(10,LOW);
 5

delay(1000); void disp(int X)

{
} E=X%10;
A=E%2;
E=E/2;
2) For two seven segment display using 14 pins B=E%2;
E=E/2;
int A,B,C,D,E; C=E%2;
int a,b,c,d,e,f,g; D=E/2;
int Y=0; a=A&&!B&&!C&&!D||!A&&!B&&C&&!D;
int dec=0,dec1; b=A&&!B&&C&&!D||!A&&B&&C&&!D;
void setup() c=!A&&B&&!C&&!D;
{ d=A&&!B&&!C&&!D||!A&&!B&&C&&!D||A&&B&&C
pinMode(0,OUTPUT); ,→ &&!D;
pinMode(1,OUTPUT); e=A&&!B&&!C&&D||A&&B&&C&&!D||!A&&!B&&C
pinMode(2,OUTPUT); ,→ &&!D||A&&!B&&C&&!D||A&&B&&!C&&!D||
pinMode(3,OUTPUT); ,→ A&&!B&&!C&&!D;
pinMode(4,OUTPUT); f=A&&B&&C&&!D||A&&B&&!C&&!D||!A&&B&&!C
pinMode(5,OUTPUT); ,→ &&!D||A&&!B&&!C&&!D;
pinMode(6,OUTPUT); g=A&&B&&C&&!D||A&&!B&&!C&&!D||!A&&!B&&!C
pinMode(7,OUTPUT); ,→ &&!D;
pinMode(8,OUTPUT); digitalWrite(7,!a);
pinMode(9,OUTPUT); digitalWrite(8,!b);
pinMode(10,OUTPUT); digitalWrite(9,!c);
pinMode(11,OUTPUT); digitalWrite(10,!d);
pinMode(12,OUTPUT); digitalWrite(11,!e);
pinMode(13,OUTPUT); digitalWrite(12,!f);
} digitalWrite(13,!g);
void display(int N) }
{ void loop()
A=N%2; {
N=N/2; dec1=dec/10;
B=N%2; if (dec<10)
N=N/2; {
C=N%2; display(dec);
D=N/2; disp(dec1);
}
a=A&&!B&&!C&&!D||!A&&!B&&C&&!D; else
b=A&&!B&&C&&!D||!A&&B&&C&&!D; {
c=!A&&B&&!C&&!D; disp(dec1);
d=A&&!B&&!C&&!D||!A&&!B&&C&&!D||A&&B&&C display(dec%10);
,→ &&!D; }
e=A&&!B&&!C&&D||A&&B&&C&&!D||!A&&!B&&C dec=dec+1;
,→ &&!D||A&&!B&&C&&!D||A&&B&&!C&&!D|| delay(1000);
,→ A&&!B&&!C&&!D; }
f=A&&B&&C&&!D||A&&B&&!C&&!D||!A&&B&&!C
,→ &&!D||A&&!B&&!C&&!D;
g=A&&B&&C&&!D||A&&!B&&!C&&!D||!A&&!B&&!C
,→ &&!D;
digitalWrite(0,!a);
digitalWrite(1,!b);
digitalWrite(2,!c);
digitalWrite(3,!d);
digitalWrite(4,!e);
digitalWrite(5,!f);
digitalWrite(6,!g);
}
 6

3) For two seven segment display (counting a=A&&!B&&!C&&!D||C&&!A&&!B&&!D;

from 0-99) using seven pins b=A&&C&&!B&&!D||B&&C&&!A&&!D;
c=B&&!A&&!C&&!D;
int dec=0; d=A&&!B&&!C&&!D||C&&!D&&!A&&!B||A&&B&&C
void setup() ,→ &&!D;
{ e=A&&!B&&!C&&D||A&&B&&C&&!D||A&&!B&&C&&!
pinMode(2,OUTPUT); ,→ D||!A&&!B&&C&&!D|| A&&B&&!C&&!D||A
pinMode(3,OUTPUT); ,→ &&!B&&!C&&!D;
pinMode(4,OUTPUT); f=A&&B&&C&&!D||A&&B&&!C&&!D||!A&&B&&!C
pinMode(5,OUTPUT); ,→ &&!D||A&&!B&&!C&&!D;
pinMode(6,OUTPUT); g=!A&&!B&&!C&&!D||A&&!B&&!C&&!D||A&&B&&C
pinMode(7,OUTPUT); ,→ &&!D;
pinMode(8,OUTPUT); digitalWrite(9, LOW);
pinMode(9,OUTPUT); digitalWrite(10, HIGH);
pinMode(10,OUTPUT); digitalWrite(2, !a);
} digitalWrite(3, !b);
void display(int z) digitalWrite(4, !c);
{ digitalWrite(5, !d);
int N=z%10; digitalWrite(6, !e);
z=z/10; digitalWrite(7, !f);
int A,B,C,D; digitalWrite(8, !g);
int a,b,c,d,e,f,g; delay(2);
A=z%2; }
z=z/2; void loop()
B=z%2; {
z=z/2; if(dec!=100);
C=z%2; else
D=z/2; {
dec=0;
a=A&&!B&&!C&&!D||C&&!A&&!B&&!D; }
b=A&&C&&!B&&!D||B&&C&&!A&&!D; for(int i=0;i<250;i++)
c=B&&!A&&!C&&!D; display(dec);
d=A&&!B&&!C&&!D||C&&!D&&!A&&!B||A&&B&&C dec++;
,→ &&!D; }
e=A&&!B&&!C&&D||A&&B&&C&&!D||A&&!B&&C&&!
,→ D||!A&&!B&&C&&!D||A&&B&&!C&&!D||A
,→ &&!B&&!C&&!D;
f=A&&B&&C&&!D||A&&B&&!C&&!D||!A&&B&&!C
,→ &&!D||A&&!B&&!C&&!D;
g=!A&&!B&&!C&&!D||A&&!B&&!C&&!D||A&&B&&C
,→ &&!D;
digitalWrite(10,LOW);
digitalWrite(9, HIGH);
digitalWrite(2, !a);
digitalWrite(3, !b);
digitalWrite(4, !c);
digitalWrite(5, !d);
digitalWrite(6, !e);
digitalWrite(7, !f);
digitalWrite(8, !g);
A=N%2;
N=N/2;
B=N%2;
N=N/2;
C=N%2;
D=N/2;
delay(2);
 7

4) For potentiometer (individually) 6) Combining code 5, 6 and code for digital

clock without potentiometer and push but-
const int ledPin = 9;
const int potPin = A0; ton.
int value; int A,B,C,D,a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,j,k,l,m,n,ti
,→ =1;
void setup() long int x,z,y,dec=0,cou,tcou=0,p,o;
{ void setup(){
pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
pinMode(potPin, INPUT); pinMode(0,OUTPUT);
} pinMode(12,OUTPUT);
pinMode(2,OUTPUT);
void loop() pinMode(3,OUTPUT);
{ pinMode(4,OUTPUT);
value = analogRead(potPin); pinMode(5,OUTPUT);
analogWrite(ledPin, value); pinMode(6,OUTPUT);
delay(100); pinMode(7,OUTPUT);
} pinMode(8,OUTPUT);
pinMode(9,OUTPUT);
pinMode(10,OUTPUT);
5) For push button (individual) pinMode(11,OUTPUT);
int push=2; pinMode(1,OUTPUT);
void setup()
{ }
pinMode(2,INPUT); void display(long int N,int P,int T){
pinMode(13,OUTPUT); A=N%2;
} N=N/2;
void loop() B=N%2;
{ N=N/2;
push=digitalRead(2); C=N%2;
if(push==0) D=N/2;
{ a=A&&!B&&!C&&!D||!A&&!B&&C&&!D;
digitalWrite(13,HIGH); b=A&&!B&&C&&!D||!A&&B&&C&&!D;
} c=!A&&B&&!C&&!D;
else d=A&&!B&&!C&&!D||!A&&!B&&C&&!D||A&&B&&C
{ ,→ &&!D;
digitalWrite(13,LOW); e=A&&!B&&!C&&D||A&&B&&C&&!D||!A&&!B&&C
} ,→ &&!D||A&&!B&&C&&!D||A&&B&&!C&&!D||
} ,→ A&&!B&&!C&&!D;
f=A&&B&&C&&!D||A&&B&&!C&&!D||!A&&B&&!C
,→ &&!D||A&&!B&&!C&&!D;
g=A&&B&&C&&!D||A&&!B&&!C&&!D||!A&&!B&&!C
,→ &&!D;

digitalWrite(0,HIGH);
digitalWrite(8,HIGH);

digitalWrite(9,HIGH);
digitalWrite(10,HIGH);

digitalWrite(11,HIGH);
digitalWrite(12,HIGH);

digitalWrite(P,LOW);
digitalWrite(7,!a);
digitalWrite(6,!b);
 8

digitalWrite(5,!c); else{
digitalWrite(4,!d); dec=-1;}
digitalWrite(3,!e);
digitalWrite(2,!f);
digitalWrite(1,!g); dec++;
ti++;
while(1<10){ }
cou=millis() ;
if(cou-tcou>=T)
break;

} }
tcou=cou;

} SOURCE FOR LEARNING PROGRAMMING:

void loop(){ Arduino.cc C-tutorial point
I have used Millis () function, display function,
if and else function etc.
if(analogRead(A0)>= 800){
dec = 0;
Millis () - When we use the delay () function
in our sketch, the program stops. The program
} waits until moving on to the next line of code.
else{ So, in this dead time we can’t process the input
x=analogRead(A1); data from sensors, as well as the outputs. The
long int r=(x*23*3600)/1023; delay () function is easy to use, but good only if
if(((p-r)>=3600)||((r-p)>=3600)){
we don’t have something else going on during the
dec =dec+r-p;
} p=r; delay. Otherwise, we have to use Millis (). Millis
x=analogRead(A2); () can seriously affect our project when we have to
long int s=(x*60*60)/1023; run multiple actions simultaneous. It’s the function
if(((o-s)>=60)||((s-o)>=60)){ which allow us to do multitasking on Arduino. It’s
dec =dec+s-o;} pretty simple to work with the delay () function. It
o=s; accepts a single number as argument representing
y=dec;
h=y%10;
the time in milliseconds. Using Millis () takes a little
y=y/10; bit of extra work compared to delay (). Calling the
j=y%6; Millis () function in the Arduino sketch returns the
y=y/6; number of milliseconds that have elapsed since we
k=y%10; start to run the program.
y=y/10;
l=y%6; If/else function- It allows us to grouped multiple
y=y/6; test into a single group. For example there is analog
m=y%10;
n=y/10;
input value from 0 to 1023 then we can grouped
if(dec<86400){ value less than 500 into one group and greater than
for(int i=0;i<100;i++) 500 into other group.
{
display(h,0,1);
display(j,8,1);
display(k,9,1);
display(l,10,1);
display(m,11,1);
display(n,12,5);
}
}
 9

9.3 TESTING SECTION 9.4 DESIGNING OF THE PCB

The circuit is tested step by step as the program-
ming is done, to verify the program. First for single
seven segment display (common cathode), then for
two digits using 14 pins, then for two digits but
now I am using 7 pins, now the multiplexing come
into role and finally I have tested all the six digit.
I have tested the working of potentiometer, push
button separately then I combined them with the
circuit.
Now it’s time to fix all the components on the
PCB board as per circuit diagram. It can’t be done
randomly. First, I have design circuit diagram for
the PCB, like place of the Display, Atmega328p,
resistor, pushbutton, potentiometers etc. Then I have
soldered all the part at their respective positions.

Advantage of testing section: when I am testing

counting from 0-99 using 14 pins, I have encoun-
tered a problem
Problem: The ten’s place display was initially glow-
ing dim?
Answer: In the void setup I have initially not defined
the 7 to 13 pin as a output. I.e. why this section
is very useful for the program verifying purpose.
Finally the designed circuit is now tested on the
breadboard, all the connections are made on the
breadboard according to the circuit diagram, the Fig. 8: PCB Design — Front View
output and input wires are attached to the Arduino
UNO, then the data cable is connected to the laptop
for the power supply to the Arduino. After a lot of
efforts and debugging the clock works.

Results: The designed is performing well as ex-

pected. Furthur, the clock’s functionality is working
properly.It is taking 5V power supply. It is using all
the 6 seven segment display. When the reset switch
is pressed all the LEDs will get 0 and we can set
the time by selecting potentiometer switch and then
toggling between the hour and minute display to set
the current time.

Fig. 9: PCB Design — Rear View

 10

9.5 ASSEMBLY SECTION 13 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Now the circuit designing part is complete, the
hard work is over and we assemble all the com-
ponents to get the Digital Clock. Now the At-
mega328P is inserted at its respective place. With
the supply connected to 5V and then we operate
the clock to check the output. Finally the Clock is
expected to operate normally with desired accuracy.
10 CONCLUSION
The clock’s display is fully functional and it
is capable of using all the digits of the seven
segment display. The time setting and resetting is
also working.
11 LESSONS LEARNT
The Circuit was purely designed with the ba-
sic knowledge of C and Arduino programming.
Multiplexing also plays an important role in the
project and with the components provided by the
authority. A lot of things I have learned from this
project like soldering, programming,use of AVR mi-
crocontrollers, PCB designing, use of Arduino, use
of potentiometer and seven segment display,harware
implementation, designing of the commercially used
devices (beyond the just designing the circuit on the
breadboard only).
A independent project is the golden opportunity
for learning and self development. I consider myself
very lucky and honored to have so many wonder-
ful people lead me through in completion of this
project.
My greatful thanks to Guide: Dr. G.V.V Sharma
who inspite of busy with his duties, took time out
to hear, guide and keep me on the correct path.He
was always involved in the entire process, shared
his knowledge, and encouraged me to think. I do
not know where i would have been without him. A
humble THANKS for his efforts and help provided
to me to get such an excellent opportunity..
I would like to thanks the EE lab incharge,
assistants who monitored my progress and arranged
all the facilities to make the project easier.
Last but not the least i would like to thanks my
friends who shared so many valuable information
that helped in the successful completion of this
project.
THANKS A LOT

12 FUTURE WORK
In future we can change the clock format from 24
hour to 12 hour A.M/P.M format and also we can
make few changes in the code and use it to display
the date(mm/dd/yyyy format) in LCD.