A study of coding with multiple-anode glow discharge tubes

For optical indication of numerals or symbols glow discharge tubes or fluorescence devices are often utilized. These have a multitude of luminous elements and the symbol is obtained by paralleling some of these elements. A new tube having several equal anodes has been developed to switch such indicators in a simple way. The number of the anodes is the same as the number of the lighting elements in the optical device. Utilizing the GT-mechanism, it is possible to operate the tube with a signal voltage of about 5 V only. Circuits for controlling both a glow discharge indicator tube and a fluorescence plate, are shown.