We are living in a world where modern digital displays dominate, but there’s a growing nostalgia for the warm glow and vintage aesthetic of Nixie tubes. Embedded solutions company, MIKROE is embracing this trend with the Nixie Power Click—a booster Click board™ that not only bridges the gap between past and present but also empowers makers to integrate retro style into modern electronics projects.
A Nostalgic Revival for Modern Projects
Nixie tubes, with their distinctive cold cathode glow and retro-futuristic appeal, have long been a favorite for clock displays, instrumentation panels, and art installations. The Nixie Power Click reintroduces this classic look by delivering high voltage power to Nixie tube shields, ensuring that vintage designs can meet today’s technical requirements. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional designer, this add-on board is your gateway to blending classic style with modern functionality.
Cutting-Edge Features with a Vintage Vibe
Launched in February 2025, the Nixie Power Click comes packed with innovative features:
- High Voltage Boost Conversion: Utilizing the LM2577 step-up voltage regulator, the board efficiently converts a 5V input into a robust 150V output. This two-stage boost conversion is essential for powering Nixie tubes, ensuring stable operation even in demanding projects.
- Precision Control: Integrated with Microchip’s 16-bit I/O expander, the MCP23017, the board offers precise control via the I2C interface. The inclusion of ADDR SEL jumpers allows for effortless I2C address configuration, streamlining the design process.
- Plug-and-Play Compatibility: Designed to work seamlessly with MIKROE’s Nixie IN-12B add-on shield boards, which come with pre-installed IN-12B Nixie tubes, the board delivers a character height of 18mm. The display supports digits 0 to 9, complete with a left-positioned decimal point, making it ideal for clocks, counters, and other numerical displays.
- mikroBUS™ Ecosystem: As the latest addition to the expansive family of over 1750 mikroBUS™-enabled Click boards, the Nixie Power Click can be integrated with any host system that supports the mikroBUS™ standard. Accompanied by the mikroSDK open-source libraries, the board offers flexibility for evaluation, customization, and rapid prototyping.
- Automatic Detection: Featuring the innovative ClickID technology, the board can be automatically detected and identified by a host system, simplifying the development process even further.
Industry Insights and Future Potential
Nebojsa Matic, CEO of MIKROE, emphasizes the board’s role in bridging retro design with modern technology:
“If you want to add the retro charm of Nixie tubes to modern projects such as clocks, displays, and instrumentation, these Nixie Power Clicks are ideal for creating visually striking and nostalgic projects.”
This launch not only reaffirms MIKROE’s commitment to providing innovative hardware and software solutions but also highlights the resurgence of interest in vintage technology. The blend of classic design and contemporary engineering opens up a world of possibilities for projects ranging from retro-styled home décor to cutting-edge instrumentation in tech-savvy environments.
Bridging the Past with the Future
As we continue to see a renewed interest in vintage electronics, products like the Nixie Power Click illustrate how legacy technologies can be reimagined to suit modern applications. By combining the charm of Nixie tubes with the reliability of contemporary embedded systems, MIKROE is setting a new standard for developers and enthusiasts alike.
Whether you’re designing a new clock, a custom display, or an innovative piece of instrumentation, the Nixie Power Click offers a unique opportunity to incorporate a piece of history into today’s technological landscape—ensuring that the beauty of the past remains a vibrant part of the future.
Embrace the vintage revolution and transform your next project with the timeless allure of Nixie tube displays powered by MIKROE’s Nixie Power Click: Nixie Power Click – For powering Nixie Tube Shields | MIKROE-6496
