Electronics > Projects, Designs, and Technical Stuff
Soviet era, gorgeous IN-34-1 bargraph display.
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schmitt trigger:
Browsing thru Ebay, I've noticed lately some gorgeous, Soviet-era, gas discharge bargraph displays.

Now, I am familiar with the more ubiquitous analog gas discharge bargraphs, like the IN-9 or IN-13, whereas a cathode current (more or less) linearly controls the length of the bargraph which lights up. But these bargraphs are digitally controlled, and therefore capable of higher precision. With some of them sporting 203 discrete elements, a very high precision bargraph display can be achieved. These come in different formats, but they all share a high voltage gas discharge, and sequential addressing of the elements.

Unfortunately, the information available on the web is scarce and sometimes with errors. See some sample "instructions" and datasheets. There are no actual circuit examples which I can find.

To make posts more readable, and avoid the dreaded TL;DR syndrome, I'll leave it right here. But from my studies I've been able to discern some basic operation modes from the scant information available.
schmitt trigger:
For instance, the following paragraph:

-The work principle is similar to a Dekatron: Dekatrons operate similarly to stepper motors, where  a control cathode is pulsed, then the next adjacent control cathode, then the first one released, followed by the second one being released. Depending on which of the pair of control cathodes was energized first, that will be the duration of the count.

So I believe that the scanning of individual elements would follow a similar pattern, but then I fail to understand how the cathode that has been counted to remains lit up, if the pulse is released like a Dekatron would....or perhaps that pin remains activated? I don't know.

I have changed a previous attachment....in one of the the datasheets there are duplicate opins with an identical description "Cathode of third group" and thus I had added a little note on the bottom.....but after studying a little bit more, I am not sure and thus removed the note and left it with the original wording
schmitt trigger:
Something that I believe have understood correctly, is the operation of the auxiliary anode and cathode. In linear bargraphs like the IN-13, the auxiliary cathode helps (as I understand it) to ensure that the main column is completely unlit in the absence of a signal or data. This assumption appears to be validated by the fact of the auxiliary cathode current being quite small.

What I do not get is the paragraph ""..designed to display information in the form of a linear scale of 103 elements with the release of each 5th element" Which is the 5th element?

So far, this is what I've got. Brainstorming ideas or hints are welcome.
iMo:
There is 103 elements in total, with every 5th "displaced for better reading".
schmitt trigger:
Imo,
now that you mention it, it is so obvious..... I feel  :-[

Following your description, would this perhaps mean that after the 5th element is reached, it will jump to the first element of the next stage? And one has to start the sequence enebling the first element?

Before anyone asks: No, I still haven't purchased one of these yet. They are a bit pricey, and won't take the plunge purchasing one unless I feel that I halfway understand its basic operation.
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