Simple Digital clock using 8051 microcontroller (AT89C51)

A digital clock is one that displays time digitally. The circuit explained here displays time with two ‘minutes’ digits and two ‘seconds’ digits on four seven segment displays. The seven segment and switches are interfaced with 8051 microcontroller AT89C51. This circuit can be used in cars, houses, offices etc.

DESCRIPTION : 

As soon as the V_cc supply is provided to this circuit, the clock starts from 00:00. The time is displayed on four seven segments (in common anode configuration) by using the concept of multiplexing. This is achieved by using timer interrupt (Timer0) of AT89C51

which is configured to refresh seven segments. The segments are refreshed many times in a second for simultaneous display. The clock runs with a delay of exactly one second. Timer1 has been used to produce a time delay of one second. The data pins (a–h) of all the segments are interconnected and receive signal from port P₂ of the microcontroller. The control or enable pins (common anode) are connected to pins 1-4 of port P₁ (P₁^0 – P₁^3).

The number on 4^th segment (displaying the unit digit of second) is incremented once in a second as it goes from 0 to 9. The number on 3^rd segment is incremented after every 10 seconds from 0 to 5. Thus seconds are displayed varying from 00 to 59. The digit on the 2^nd segment changes after every 60 seconds (a minute) from 0 to 9 and so on. Thus the clock runs for an hour and after that it resets to zero again