PMOS is DMP45H150DHE  
( https://www.diodes.com/assets/Datasheets/DMP45H150DHE.pdf ) , with 350 
ohm source resistor
NPN is a PMBTA42DS (dual NPN) with a 1.3K emitter resistor. Base is driven 
from a 3.3V FPGA.  
( https://assets.nexperia.com/documents/data-sheet/PMBTA42DS.pdf )

On Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at 4:19:35 PM UTC-7 Bill Stanley wrote:

> Greg,
> Would you mind listing the current limiting parts you use for both the 
> PMOS high side and the NPN low side drivers?
> Thanks;
>   -Bill-
>
>
> On Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at 3:54:18 PM UTC-7 gregebert wrote:
>
>> I'm attempting my first multiplexed nixie project, in this case a 
>> 13-character / 9-segment display. Direct-drive is always my preference, but 
>> that is not an option due to the way the display is pinned-out.
>>
>> I'm using an FPGA to control the multiplexing, so I've put a lot of 
>> software-controllable registers to set the time when anodes and cathodes 
>> are turned on and off to prevent ghosting. For my display, the blanking 
>> time is 20-100usec per the datasheet; I believe this is the time required 
>> to dissipate the charge from the ionized gas. I measured less than 10pF of 
>> capacitance between the various terminals, but I'm certain this is an 
>> underestimate of the actual charge that an ionized segment holds, so you 
>> really cant calculate the correct value of the bias resistor based on the 
>> time-constant from the blanking time and the measurable capacitance.
>>
>> The anode-driver is a PMOS current-limiter that can be switched on or 
>> off, and the anode will be biased around +100V thru a 5meg resistor (two 
>> 10-meg resistors dividing the anode supply in-half). Cathodes are driven by 
>> NPN pulldowns that are current-limiting (3mA per datasheet). If I'm unable 
>> to eliminate ghosting by changing timer values, I will reduce the anode 
>> bias resistors.
>>
>> Unfortunately I have 3  projects going right now (too many!!), so I wont 
>> have any progress update on this for awhile.
>>
>> On Monday, May 24, 2021 at 10:25:44 PM UTC-7 Richard Scales wrote:
>>
>>> I think I am getting a little closer to understanding this all a little 
>>> bit more. I have almost grasped the concept of clamping the cathodes at an 
>>> intermediate voltage to aid switching them on and off in a timely manner in 
>>> an effort to minimise ghosting.
>>>
>>> Now it's all down to driver choice and chip count.
>>>
>>> How about HV5812's? i have seen these used in multiplexing circuits - 
>>> especially those where a group of say 6 nixies are split into two groups 
>>> then the 20 bits from the driver  are split into two groups of 10 bits, 
>>> each group for one set of three nixies. that works just fine for nixies, 
>>> not so good for a 16 digit device with cathodes common to all!
>>>
>>> Regardless, it would be slightly more efficient than using a 32 bit 
>>> device though ultimately an 8 bit device would suffice. Using the HV5812 I 
>>> can see that I can just connect Vpp to 80V, job done. If I wanted to use 
>>> HV513 (on the grounds that I only need 8 bits) would I then just clamp each 
>>> cathode to 80V via a suitable resistor?
>>>
>>> I guess I could simply not worry about it and waste the bits, I'm only 
>>> ever going to do this once or twice and one of my design goals is to make 
>>> this thing as small as possible.
>>>
>>> For the high side i definitely need to switch 16 anodes so I need to 
>>> employ a push/pull device - HV5523 will do that or I could perhaps use a 
>>> couple of HV513's - again, the easiest thing to do would be to use a single 
>>> HV5523 and waste half of the bits.
>>>
>>> In an effort to home in on a solution - a single HV5523 for the 16 
>>> anodes and a single HV5812 for the cathodes (clamped to 80V) - have I 
>>> missed anything crucial here?
>>>
>>> I just feel that I should get a handle on this multiplexing thing. I now 
>>> have a couple of different multi digit panaplex displays coming so I need 
>>> to come up with a plan.
>>>
>>> I have some ZM1500 (12 digits) on hand and some IGP-17 (16 digits) on 
>>> their way.
>>>
>>> ... and I've not even started to think about the timing of all the 
>>> various switching operations yet!
>>>
>>> Thank you all for helping me with my education 
>>>
>>> - Richard
>>>
>>> On Friday, 21 May 2021 at 19:13:35 UTC+1 nixiebunny wrote:
>>>
>>>> Richard,
>>>> A single push-pull HV driver chip will not be able to drive a 
>>>> multiplexed display. 
>>>>
>>>> The reason is that it only connects each tube element to either 0V or 
>>>> 180V. It is not capable of leaving an element disconnected.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Thu, May 20, 2021, 8:45 PM Richard Scales <[email protected]> 
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Sorry, I mean using the same type of device to control the anodes AND 
>>>>> the cathodes but but the actual same piece.
>>>>> So, using an HV5523 (or perhaps multiple HV513, multiple because there 
>>>>> are probably 8 cathodes (seven segment panaplex displays) and 16 Anodes 
>>>>> (16 
>>>>> digits)) could be a way forward then.
>>>>> Please could you let me know more about the need to clamp the cathodes 
>>>>> to a certain voltage? (Exposing my real lack of understanding here!)
>>>>> - Richard
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>

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