Run ESP_UniClock on the NixieIN12v2 clock

Adds CLOCK_90 and the nixie595.ino driver: two 74HC595s on hardware
SPI (GPIO13/14, latch GPIO15), multiplexed from an IRAM-only timer1
ISR. Neon dots on P1; P2 is the decimal-point line on this board.

Also:
- NeoPixel on any ESP8266 pin via bit-bang (GPIO12), and take the pin
  back after SPI.begin() claimed it as MISO
- ArduinoOTA (USE_ARDUINO_OTA), with an OTA upload env in platformio.ini
- DST: EU end date (last Sunday of October) instead of the first Sunday
  of November, and recompute the time from the rules when DST is
  toggled instead of shifting it by 1 h
- forward declarations so PlatformIO's .ino conversion compiles
- FIRMWARE_SERVER can be overridden; empty for CLOCK_90

Verified on the clock: tubes, order, dots, LEDs, LDR, NTP time with DST.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

CLAUDE.md

@@ -6,8 +6,9 @@ with ArduinoOTA and Home Assistant (MQTT) support.
 
 ## The device
 
-- On the network at **10.1.1.97** (WiFi `dlink-iot`). Stock web UI on port 80, nothing else
+- On the network at **10.1.1.97** (WiFi `dlink-iot`). Since 2026-10-25 it runs ESP_UniClock
-  open: no OTA, no API, no MQTT.
+  (`firmware/uniclock/`, CLOCK_90): web UI on port 80 (JSON at `/getConfiguration`,
+  `/getCurrentInfos`), ArduinoOTA on UDP 8266 (hostname `nixie-in12`, no password yet).
 - Board: RetroModding (Konstantin Repnikov) "NixieIN12v2 HV2.0", stock firmware **SV1.3**
   (©2020). ESP-12 (ESP8266, MAC 30:83:98:99:BF:DE, Espressif).
 - **Powered by USB-C 5 V only** (no DC jack). Most likely the maker's "v2.0L lightweight
@@ -34,28 +35,29 @@ with ArduinoOTA and Home Assistant (MQTT) support.
 ## Pinout
 
 From the 12 V v2 schematic (`docs/schematic_v2_12V.jpg`), checked against the stock firmware
-by disassembly (`docs/stock-firmware-pins.md`, tools in `tools/`). "Binary" = confirmed in
+by disassembly (`docs/stock-firmware-pins.md`, tools in `tools/`). "Hardware" = also works
-the stock SV1.3 code; it has not yet been tested on the hardware.
+on the clock with UniClock; "Binary" = only confirmed in the stock SV1.3 code.
 
 | Function | GPIO | Source |
 |---|---|---|
-| 74HC595 DATA / CLOCK (OE tied to GND) | 13 / 14 = HSPI MOSI / SCK (hardware SPI, MSB first) | Binary |
+| 74HC595 DATA / CLOCK (OE tied to GND) | 13 / 14 = HSPI MOSI / SCK (hardware SPI, MSB first) | Hardware |
-| 74HC595 LATCH | 15, plain `digitalWrite` (has 1k pull-down) | Binary |
+| 74HC595 LATCH | 15, plain `digitalWrite` (has 1k pull-down) | Hardware |
-| WS2812 data | 12 (NeoPixel bit-bang, GRB 800 kHz; stock assumes 12 LEDs, 8 fitted) | Binary |
+| WS2812 data | 12 (NeoPixel bit-bang, GRB 800 kHz; 8 fitted, stock assumes 12). `SPI.begin()` turns GPIO12 into MISO: set it back to OUTPUT afterwards | Hardware |
-| Photoresistor (LDR, 10k to GND) | ADC (A0) | Binary |
+| Photoresistor (LDR, 10k to GND) | ADC (A0) | Hardware |
 | BTN1 / BTN2 (not fitted) | 0 / 2, INPUT_PULLUP. Stock: GPIO0 is a button, GPIO2 a motion/presence input that wakes the display | Binary |
 | DFPlayer Mini (stock feature) | UART0: GPIO1 TX / GPIO3 RX, 9600 Bd | Binary |
-| DS3231M RTC SDA / SCL | 4 / 5. **Stock firmware has no I2C code** (NTP only); if fitted, unknown | Schematic only |
+| DS3231M RTC SDA / SCL | 4 / 5: **no I2C device answers** (UniClock scan), so no RTC on this board; NTP only | Hardware |
 
 Two chained 74HC595s make one 16-bit word, all bits active-high (confirmed from the binary;
 the high byte is sent first and goes to U2):
 - U1 QA..QH = cathodes 0..7 (bits 0..7), U2 QA = cathode 8 (bit 8), QB = cathode 9 (bit 9)
   (via 2x ULN2003, shared by all tubes)
-- U2 QC = P1 (neon dot 1, bit 10), QD..QG = anodes A1..A4 (bits 11..14, MMBTA42/92), QH = P2
+- U2 QC = P1 (bit 10) drives **both** IN-3 neon dots. QD..QG = anodes A1..A4 (bits 11..14,
-  (bit 15; neon dot 2, and the decimal point if jumper JP2 is closed)
+  MMBTA42/92). QH = P2 (bit 15) drives the IN-12B **decimal points** on this board (JP2 closed),
+  not a neon.
 - The display is multiplexed: one anode on at a time. **A1 = leftmost tube (hour tens),
-  A4 = rightmost (minute ones)**, from the stock digit order. Stock lights P1/P2 in only one
+  A4 = rightmost (minute ones)** (verified on the tubes). The dots are lit in the minute-tens
-  multiplex slot.
+  slot only, as on stock.
 
 ## Programming header
 
@@ -65,7 +67,12 @@ Wiring: GND-GND, adapter TXD -> clock RXD, adapter RXD -> clock TXD, adapter 3.3
 connected (the clock is powered from its own USB-C). No auto-reset: to enter flash mode, hold
 GPIO0 to GND, tap RST to GND, then release GPIO0.
 
-- esptool is installed for the user (`python -m esptool`, v5.6.0).
+- esptool is installed for the user (`python -m esptool`, v5.6.0). After `--after no-reset`
+  the stub keeps running at the new baud rate and the next esptool call can't connect: do
+  everything in one call, or re-enter flash mode.
+- Normal updates go over WiFi: `pio run -e nixie_in12_ota -t upload` in `firmware/uniclock/`.
+  ArduinoOTA does not answer after the clock switched from AP mode to WiFi without a reboot
+  (first setup); a power cycle fixes it.
 - `firmware/stock/` holds the stock flash dump. **Never overwrite or delete it**; it is the
   only way back to SV1.3 (`write-flash 0 <dump>`). Dumps are gitignored because the flash
   holds the WiFi password; never commit them.
@@ -79,10 +86,9 @@ GPIO0 to GND, tap RST to GND, then release GPIO0.
 
 ## Plan
 
-1. Dump and inspect the stock firmware (version strings, pins if possible).
+1. Done: dump and inspect the stock firmware.
-2. Write a test sketch that steps through the 16 shift-register bits, to verify the pinout
+2. Skipped (the disassembly was enough): bit-stepping test sketch.
-   and the tube order.
+3. Done: 74HC595-multiplex driver (`nixie595.ino`) + CLOCK_90 in ESP_UniClock, ArduinoOTA,
-3. Add a 74HC595-multiplex driver + CLOCK config to ESP_UniClock, plus ArduinoOTA and
+   EU DST fix. Runs on the clock.
-   Home Assistant controls (display on/off, brightness, LEDs); its stock MQTT only
+4. Next: Home Assistant controls over MQTT (display on/off, brightness, LEDs; upstream MQTT
-   publishes sensors.
+   only publishes sensors), OTA password via `secrets.h`.
-4. Work continues in VS Code (PlatformIO).

firmware/uniclock/ESP32_UniClock2/ESP32_UniClock2.ino

@@ -44,6 +44,11 @@
 #include <stddef.h>
 //#define byte uint8_t
 #include "clocks.h"  //DEFINE YOUR CLOCKS SETUP IN THIS FILE!!! - clocks.h picks the single active CLOCK_NN block, which #defines the driver macro, pins and feature flags read throughout this file
+// PlatformIO turns the .ino files into one .cpp and puts prototypes for every function near the top,
+// without evaluating #ifdefs. Declare the types of optional libraries here so those prototypes compile
+// when the feature (and its #include) is switched off.
+class AsyncWiFiManager;
+struct RgbColor;
 
 // Detect which generation of the ESP8266 Arduino core is in use: older cores (2.6.x/2.7.x) name the
 // RAM-resident-ISR attribute ICACHE_RAM_ATTR, while newer cores renamed it to IRAM_ATTR (shared with
@@ -161,7 +166,9 @@ unsigned long intCounter = 0;   //for testing only, interrupt counter
 byte c_MinBrightness = RGB_MIN_BRIGHTNESS;     //minimum LED brightness
 byte c_MaxBrightness = RGB_MAX_BRIGHTNESS;     //maximum LED brightness
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+#ifndef FIRMWARE_SERVER
   #define FIRMWARE_SERVER "http://c.landventure.hu/store"   //default OTA update server (see doFirmwareUpdate()); overridable per-clock via prm.firmwareServer / the web admin "firmware" field
+#endif
 String usedPinsStr;      //human-readable list of registered GPIOs, built by listPins(), shown on the web admin "clock details" page
 String driverSetupStr;   //driver-specific extra setup info string (set by some drivers), also shown on the web admin page
 
@@ -237,6 +244,9 @@ DNSServer dnsServer;
 #include <Wire.h>
 #include <EEPROM.h>
 #include "ArduinoJson.h"
+#ifdef USE_ARDUINO_OTA
+  #include <ArduinoOTA.h>
+#endif
 
 #if defined(USE_NEOPIXEL) || defined(WORDCLOCK)
   #include <NeoPixelBrightnessBus.h>
@@ -441,8 +451,10 @@ IPAddress ip;
 // switchover DATES are not configurable from the web UI. myTZ is rebuilt with the current offsets
 // every time updateTimefromTimeserver() runs (WiFi/NTP path only - the GPS-only fallback in gps.ino
 // uses a simpler, always-on +1h DST rule, see CODE_REVIEW.md).
+// NOTE: upstream ended DST on the first Sunday of November (the US date). The EU switches at 01:00 UTC:
+// last Sunday of March 02:00 standard time, last Sunday of October 03:00 summer time.
 TimeChangeRule myDST = {"DST", Last, Sun, Mar, 2, 0};
-TimeChangeRule mySTD = {"STD", First, Sun, Nov, 2, 0};
+TimeChangeRule mySTD = {"STD", Last, Sun, Oct, 3, 0};
 Timezone myTZ(myDST, mySTD);
 time_t prevTime = 0;      //last second() value that was actually rendered to the display - timeProgram() only redraws when now()!=prevTime, i.e. at most once per real second
 time_t protectTimer = 0;  //timestamp of the last cathode-protect animation, used by timeProgram()'s prm.interval-minute scheduler
@@ -589,6 +601,9 @@ void Fdelay(unsigned long d) {
     #ifdef USE_GPS
       smartDelay(1);  //feed GPS
     #endif
+    #ifdef USE_ARDUINO_OTA
+      ArduinoOTA.handle();   //also during long animations/startup waits
+    #endif
     yield();
   }
 }
@@ -877,6 +892,39 @@ void startMDNS() {
   #endif  
 }
 
+// Optional ArduinoOTA (USE_ARDUINO_OTA in clocks.h): push a new firmware from PlatformIO/Arduino IDE
+// over WiFi ("pio run -t upload --upload-port <ip>"). Shows the progress in percent on the two right
+// tubes. Password from OTA_PASSWORD (secrets.h) if defined.
+void startArduinoOTA() {
+  #ifdef USE_ARDUINO_OTA
+    static boolean otaStarted = false;
+    if (otaStarted) return;
+    ArduinoOTA.setHostname(OTA_HOSTNAME);
+    #ifdef OTA_PASSWORD
+      ArduinoOTA.setPassword(OTA_PASSWORD);
+    #endif
+    ArduinoOTA.onStart([]() {
+      DPRINTLN(F("ArduinoOTA: update started"));
+      clearDigits();
+    });
+    ArduinoOTA.onProgress([](unsigned int progress, unsigned int total) {
+      int p = (int)(progress / (total / 100 + 1));
+      digit[1] = (p / 10) % 10;
+      digit[0] = p % 10;
+    });
+    ArduinoOTA.onEnd([]() {
+      DPRINTLN(F("ArduinoOTA: done, rebooting"));
+    });
+    ArduinoOTA.onError([](ota_error_t error) {
+      DPRINTF("ArduinoOTA: error %u\n", error);
+      clearDigits();
+    });
+    ArduinoOTA.begin();
+    otaStarted = true;
+    DPRINT(F("ArduinoOTA ready: ")); DPRINTLN(OTA_HOSTNAME);
+  #endif
+}
+
 // The Standalone(AP)-mode path (prm.wifiMode==false, or a fallback from a fully-failed STA connect):
 // the clock hosts its own WiFi hotspot at the fixed address 192.168.4.1 (prm.ApSsid/prm.ApPsw) and
 // runs a DNS server that answers every query with its own IP (dnsServer.start(53,"*",...)) so most
@@ -1242,6 +1290,9 @@ void handleConfigChanged(AsyncWebServerRequest *request) {
       if (old_utc_offset != prm.utc_offset) {   //Change time zone
         setTime(now()+(prm.utc_offset-old_utc_offset)*3600);
         updateRTC();
+        mySTD.offset = prm.utc_offset * 60;   //keep myTZ current for a later enableDST change
+        myDST.offset = mySTD.offset + (prm.enableDST ? 60 : 0);
+        myTZ = Timezone(myDST, mySTD);
       }
     }
     else if (key == "set12_24") {
@@ -1262,13 +1313,15 @@ void handleConfigChanged(AsyncWebServerRequest *request) {
       // running clock by +-1h right away and re-syncs the RTC, instead of only taking effect on the
       // next scheduled NTP refresh (myTZ itself is rebuilt from prm.enableDST inside
       // updateTimefromTimeserver() on that next refresh).
+      // FIXED: this used to shift the clock by a blind +-1h, which is wrong outside the summer period
+      // (switching DST on in winter put the clock 1h ahead until the next NTP sync). Now the local
+      // time is converted back to UTC with the old rules and forward with the new ones.
       prm.enableDST = (value == "true");
-      if (oldDST && !prm.enableDST) {   //Switching off DST
+      if (oldDST != prm.enableDST) {
-        setTime(now()-3600);
+        time_t utc = myTZ.toUTC(now());
-        updateRTC();
+        myDST.offset = mySTD.offset + (prm.enableDST ? 60 : 0);
-      }
+        myTZ = Timezone(myDST, mySTD);
-      if (!oldDST && prm.enableDST) {   //Switching on DST
+        setTime(myTZ.toLocal(utc));
-        setTime(now()+3600);
         updateRTC();
       }
     }
@@ -1889,6 +1942,7 @@ void setup() {
 
   startMDNS();
   startServer();
+  startArduinoOTA();
   #ifdef USE_MQTT
     setupMqtt();
   #endif
@@ -3221,6 +3275,9 @@ void loop(void) {
     }
   }
   editor();
+  #ifdef USE_ARDUINO_OTA
+    ArduinoOTA.handle();
+  #endif
   if (makeFirmwareUpdate) {
     makeFirmwareUpdate = false;
     doFirmwareUpdate();

firmware/uniclock/ESP32_UniClock2/clocks.h

@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@
    ZM1500_ESP32 (CURRENTLY ACTIVE, CLOCK_72 below) -> ZM1500.ino
    WORDCLOCK                              -> wordclock.ino (+ font5x7.h for its scrolling/overlay font)
    DUMMY                                  -> dummy.ino (sensor-only "clock", no physical display)
+   NIXIE595_MULTIPLEX (CLOCK_90)          -> nixie595.ino
 */
 
 //#define CLOCK_1   //8266, UNFI PCB clock, 4x IN-16 tubes
@@ -110,11 +111,43 @@
 //#define CLOCK_57A  //V2-WROOM ESP32, UNFI 2xHV5222 6xZ57xM clock  /flat panel
 //#define CLOCK_70   //1 tube esp8266 Nixie Clock by UNFI
 //#define CLOCK_71   //2x VQC10 clock by UNFI
-#define CLOCK_72   //ESP32, UNFI board, ZM1500
+//#define CLOCK_72   //ESP32, UNFI board, ZM1500
 //#define CLOCK_80   //word clock, english version
 //#define CLOCK_81   //word clock, german version
 //#define CLOCK_82   //word clock, hungarian version
 //#define CLOCK_99   //Dummy clock, sensor box with MQTT connector
+#define CLOCK_90   //8266, RetroModding NixieIN12v2 HV2.0 (5 V): 4x IN-12, 2x IN-3, 2x 74HC595 multiplex
+
+#ifdef CLOCK_90   //8266, RetroModding NixieIN12v2 HV2.0 (5 V): 4x IN-12, 2x IN-3, 2x 74HC595 multiplex
+// Pins and shift-register bit map confirmed from the stock firmware SV1.3
+// (docs/stock-firmware-pins.md in the nixie-clock repo).
+#define DEBUG
+#define FW "fw90"  //firmware name
+#define MAXBRIGHTNESS 100
+#define NIXIE595_MULTIPLEX
+#define PIN_LATCH 15          //74HC595 storage clock. DATA = GPIO13 (HSPI MOSI), CLOCK = GPIO14 (HSPI SCK)
+#define SPI_FREQ 4000000      //stock uses 25 MHz; 16 bits per slot need far less
+byte anodeBits[] = {14, 13, 12, 11};   //595 word bit of each tube's anode: position 0 = rightmost (A4) ... 3 = leftmost (A1)
+#define NEON_BITS (1 << 10)   //IN-3 dots on P1. P2 (bit 15) drives the IN-12B decimal points on this board (JP2 closed)
+#define NEON_POS 1            //the dots are lit in this tube's multiplex slot, as on stock
+#define USE_NEOPIXEL
+#define NEOPIXEL_PIN 12       //bit-banged, GRB 800 kHz
+byte tubePixels[] = {0, 0, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3};   //8 WS2812, two per tube (strip order not verified yet)
+#define USE_RTC               //DS3231 on I2C, detected at startup (address 0x68); the stock firmware never used it
+#define PIN_SDA 4
+#define PIN_SCL 5
+#define LIGHT_SENSOR_PIN A0   //LDR to Vcc, 10k to GND (REF_RESISTANCE default)
+#define MAXIMUM_LUX 100       //Lux level for maximum tube brightness
+#define AP_NAME "UNICLOCK"
+#define AP_PASSWORD ""
+#define WEBNAME "IN-12 Nixie Clock"
+#define FIRMWARE_SERVER ""    //no web-triggered HTTP update; use ArduinoOTA
+#define USE_ARDUINO_OTA
+#define OTA_HOSTNAME "nixie-in12"
+#if __has_include("secrets.h")
+  #include "secrets.h"        //optional, gitignored: DEFAULT_SSID, DEFAULT_PSW, OTA_PASSWORD (see secrets.h.example)
+#endif
+#endif
 
 //______________________ESP8266 CLOCKS by UNFI and GP ______________________________________________________
 #ifdef CLOCK_1   //8266, UNFI PCB clock, 4x IN-16 tubes

firmware/uniclock/ESP32_UniClock2/nixie595.ino

@@ -0,0 +1,154 @@
+// ============================================================================
+// Nixie driver: two cascaded 74HC595s on hardware SPI, multiplexed anodes
+// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Hardware: RetroModding NixieIN12v2 (CLOCK_90). The two 595s hold one 16-bit
+// word that drives the whole display:
+//   bits 0..9    cathodes for digits 0..9 (via 2x ULN2003, shared by all tubes)
+//   bits 11..14  tube anodes (anodeBits[] in clocks.h), one tube at a time
+//   bits 10, 15  neon dots P1/P2 (NEON_BITS in clocks.h)
+// The high byte is shifted out first (ends up in the second 595), MSB first.
+// DATA and CLOCK are the HSPI MOSI/SCK pins (GPIO13/GPIO14), PIN_LATCH is the
+// 595 storage clock. Pinout and bit map come from the stock firmware, see
+// docs/stock-firmware-pins.md in the nixie-clock repo.
+//
+// The multiplex ISR writes the SPI1 and GPIO registers directly instead of
+// calling the SPI library, so it runs entirely from IRAM and keeps refreshing
+// while the flash cache is off (EEPROM/SPIFFS writes, OTA).
+//
+// Platform: ESP8266 ONLY (timer1 + SPI1 registers). The ISR state machine
+// (brightness by blanking time, animMask wipe) follows multiplex74141.ino.
+// ============================================================================
+#ifdef NIXIE595_MULTIPLEX
+#include <SPI.h>
+char tubeDriver[] = "NIXIE595_MULTIPLEX";
+
+#if !defined(ESP8266)
+  #error "NIXIE595_MULTIPLEX is for ESP8266 only!"
+#endif
+
+int maxDigits = sizeof(anodeBits);  //anodeBits is byte[], so sizeof == element count
+int maxDig = maxDigits;
+
+// timer1 runs at TIM_DIV16 = 5 MHz (0.2 us per tick): 11000 ticks = 2.2 ms per tube slot,
+// about 110 Hz for 4 tubes. PWM_min/PWM_max are the lit part of a slot (brightness).
+// const, so the ISR's static locals are constant-initialized (no flash-resident init guard).
+const int PWMrefresh = 11000;
+const int PWM_min = 1000;
+const int PWM_max = 10000;
+
+// Shift one 16-bit word into both 595s and latch it. Also called from main code via clearTubes(),
+// so the caller must keep the ISR out (see clearTubes()).
+static inline void IRAM_ATTR write595(uint16_t w) {
+  while (SPI1CMD & SPIBUSY) {}
+  SPI1W0 = (w >> 8) | ((w & 0xFF) << 8);  //SPI1W0 byte 0 goes out first: high byte first
+  SPI1CMD |= SPIBUSY;
+  while (SPI1CMD & SPIBUSY) {}
+  GPOS = 1 << PIN_LATCH;   //rising edge copies the shift registers to the outputs
+  __asm__ __volatile__("nop; nop; nop; nop;");
+  GPOC = 1 << PIN_LATCH;
+}
+
+void setup_pins() {
+  DPRINTLN("Nixie clock - setup pins -  74HC595 multiplex mode...");
+  pinMode(PIN_LATCH, OUTPUT);
+  digitalWrite(PIN_LATCH, LOW);
+  regPin(PIN_LATCH, "PIN_LATCH");
+
+  SPI.begin();   //HSPI: GPIO14 = SCK, GPIO13 = MOSI. It also claims GPIO12 (MISO), which the NeoPixel setup takes back later.
+  SPI.setFrequency(SPI_FREQ);
+  SPI.setBitOrder(MSBFIRST);
+  SPI.setDataMode(SPI_MODE0);
+  regPin(13, "PIN_DATA (HSPI MOSI)");
+  regPin(14, "PIN_CLK (HSPI SCK)");
+  //16-bit transfers, so one write fills both 595s
+  SPI1U1 = (SPI1U1 & ~((SPIMMOSI << SPILMOSI) | (SPIMMISO << SPILMISO)))
+           | (15 << SPILMOSI) | (15 << SPILMISO);
+  write595(0);   //all anodes, cathodes and dots off
+
+  DPRINT("Tubes: "); DPRINTLN(maxDigits);
+  startTimer();
+}
+
+void IRAM_ATTR writeDisplay() {   //timer1 ISR, single-shot: must re-arm timer1 at the end of every call
+  static byte pos = 0;
+  static byte state = 0;
+  static int timer = PWMrefresh;
+  static byte num;
+  static int brightness;
+  static int PWMtimeBrightness = PWM_min;
+  uint16_t w;
+
+  if (EEPROMsaving) {   //keep the tubes dark while settings are written
+    write595(0);
+    timer1_write(PWMrefresh);
+    return;
+  }
+
+  intCounter++;
+  brightness = displayON ? prm.dayBright : prm.nightBright;
+  if (brightness > MAXBRIGHTNESS) brightness = MAXBRIGHTNESS;  //only for safety
+
+  timer = PWMrefresh;
+
+  // Same state machine as multiplex74141.ino:
+  //  state 0: next tube; show the old digit (animation) or the current digit
+  //  state 1: show the new digit for the rest of the lit time (only while animating)
+  //  state 2: blank for the rest of the slot (this sets the brightness)
+  //  state 3: blank output, then back to state 0
+  switch (state) {
+    case 0:
+      pos++;
+      if (pos > maxDig - 1) {
+        pos = 0;
+        if (autoBrightness && displayON)
+          PWMtimeBrightness = max(PWM_min, PWM_max * lx / MAXIMUM_LUX);
+        else
+          PWMtimeBrightness = max(PWM_min, PWM_max * brightness / MAXBRIGHTNESS);
+      }
+      if (animMask[pos] > 0) {
+        num = oldDigit[pos];
+        timer = (PWMtimeBrightness * (20 - animMask[pos])) / 20;
+        state = 1;
+      }
+      else {
+        num = digit[pos];
+        timer = PWMtimeBrightness;
+        state = 2;
+      }
+      break;
+    case 1:
+      num = newDigit[pos];
+      timer = (PWMtimeBrightness * animMask[pos]) / 20;
+      state = 2;
+      break;
+    case 2:
+      timer = PWMrefresh - PWMtimeBrightness;
+      state = 3;
+      break;
+  }
+  if (timer < 500) timer = 500;  //a too short timer1 reload can miss the interrupt
+
+  if ((brightness == 0) || (state == 3) || (!radarON)) {
+    state = 0;
+    w = 0;
+  }
+  else {
+    w = 0;
+    if (num <= 9) w |= 1 << num;   //cathode; 10 = blank, other glyphs are not available on a Nixie
+    if ((pos == NEON_POS) && colonBlinkState) w |= NEON_BITS;
+    if (w) w |= 1 << anodeBits[pos];
+  }
+  write595(w);
+
+  timer1_write(timer);
+}
+
+void clearTubes() {
+  noInterrupts();   //the ISR also writes the 595s
+  write595(0);
+  interrupts();
+}
+
+// Not needed: the ISR refreshes the display continuously (same as multiplex74141.ino).
+void writeDisplaySingle() {}
+#endif

firmware/uniclock/ESP32_UniClock2/secrets.h.example

@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+// Copy to secrets.h (gitignored) and fill in. All entries are optional.
+// DEFAULT_SSID/DEFAULT_PSW are only applied on a factory reset (first boot with a new EEPROM layout);
+// otherwise set the WiFi from the clock's web page.
+#define DEFAULT_SSID ""
+#define DEFAULT_PSW ""
+#define OTA_PASSWORD ""   //ArduinoOTA password; remove the line for no password

firmware/uniclock/ESP32_UniClock2/z_neopixel.ino

@@ -100,13 +100,17 @@ inline byte tubeForPixel(int i) {
   //than NeoEsp32Rmt7Ws2812xMethod, which can glitch the strict WS2812 bit
   //timing (~1.25us/bit) if an ISR delays the RMT hardware mid-frame.
   NeoPixelBrightnessBus<NeoGrbFeature, NeoEsp32I2s1800KbpsMethod> strip(PixelCount+4,PixelPin);  //NeoEsp32I2s1800KbpsMethod is used here because it is more reliable than NeoEsp32Rmt7Ws2812xMethod!
-#else
+#elif NEOPIXEL_PIN == 3   //default (see clocks.h)
-  #define NEOPIXEL_PIN 3
   byte PixelPin = 3;  // on 8266 it MUST use GPIO3 (RX pin)
   //8266 has no I2S/RMT WS2812 helper here; Neo800KbpsMethod bit-bangs the
   //protocol with cycle-counted delays, which is why GPIO3/RX is mandated -
   //it's one of the few pins whose timing isn't disturbed by the UART/boot ROM.
   NeoPixelBrightnessBus<NeoGrbFeature, Neo800KbpsMethod> strip(PixelCount+4);
+#else
+  //Any other 8266 pin: cycle-counted bit-bang. Interrupts are off while Show()
+  //runs (about 30 us per pixel), which briefly delays the multiplex ISR.
+  byte PixelPin = NEOPIXEL_PIN;
+  NeoPixelBrightnessBus<NeoGrbFeature, NeoEsp8266BitBang800KbpsMethod> strip(PixelCount+4, PixelPin);
 #endif
 
 //Gamma-correction lookup table object - NOTE: currently declared but never
@@ -121,6 +125,9 @@ void setupNeopixel() {
     DPRINT("Pixel count: "); DPRINTLN(PixelCount);
     DPRINT("Brightness:"); DPRINT(c_MinBrightness); DPRINT(" - "); DPRINTLN(c_MaxBrightness);
     neoBrightness = prm.rgbBrightness;
+    //The bit-bang method sets the pin to OUTPUT in its constructor (before setup()), and Begin()
+    //does not. A driver may have claimed the pin since (nixie595.ino: SPI.begin() makes GPIO12 MISO).
+    pinMode(PixelPin, OUTPUT);
     strip.Begin();    //initialize the underlying I2S/RMT/bit-bang driver and GPIO
     strip.Show();       //push the (still all-black, default-constructed) buffer out so the strip starts dark, not showing stale/garbage pixel data
     strip.SetBrightness(neoBrightness);

firmware/uniclock/platformio.ini

@@ -28,3 +28,10 @@ upload_resetmethod = ck
 monitor_port = COM7
 monitor_speed = 115200
 monitor_filters = esp8266_exception_decoder
+
+; Same firmware, uploaded over WiFi with ArduinoOTA (espota). Add --auth=<OTA_PASSWORD> to
+; upload_flags once secrets.h sets one.
+[env:nixie_in12_ota]
+extends = env:nixie_in12
+upload_protocol = espota
+upload_port = 10.1.1.97