Radio Time Assisted LED Blinking Competition in 2025
In an extraordinary feat, Anthony Vincz, a British engineer, has claimed victory in the 2025 One Hertz Challenge with an innovative and unconventional approach. The challenge, a competition to create a device that generates a 1 Hz signal, required precision and creativity, elements that Vincz's entry showcased in abundance.
Vincz's solution involved the use of the NE567 tone decoder IC, a component originally designed for decoding tones but repurposed for this application by Vincz. The IC was connected to the computer's speakers, where it picked up an 800 Hz tone emitted every second. This tone was triggered by the IC itself, creating a self-sustaining cycle.
The NE567 IC was configured to flash an LED in response to the repetitive 800 Hz tone, thereby creating a 1 Hz signal. Although this method is more complex than using a ready-made flashing LED that has a built-in oscillator circuit, it offers the advantage of precision and programmability.
Vincz's entry is a testament to his ingenuity and resourcefulness. He previously used the NE567 IC as a Morse decoder and to trigger an output when detecting a tone of a given frequency. For the 2025 One Hertz Challenge, he repurposed it to blink in response to output from radio time stations.
The adjusted signal from the radio time station produced a regular 800 Hz tone cycling once every second through Vincz's computer's speakers. Vincz tuned a software-defined radio to one of the time stations (60 KHz British or 77.5 KHz German broadcasts) to grab the 1 Hz signal. The IC picked up sound from an electret mic and decoded it into a readable output, which in turn triggered the LED to blink.
Vincz started the build on a single Sunday morning, demonstrating that with creativity and determination, even the most challenging targets can be achieved. His method, while complex, is effective and has earned him a well-deserved victory in the 2025 One Hertz Challenge.
| Method | Description | Complexity | Typical Use Case | |-------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------|--------------------------------------------| | Flashing LED | LED with built-in multivibrator circuit that makes it flash autonomously | Very low | Simple indicator without extra circuit | | Microcontroller bit-band control (Anthony Vincz’s) | Programmatic control using MCU registers for precise 1 Hz blinking | High | Precise timing devices, embedded applications |
For those seeking a simpler solution, ready-made flashing LEDs are available, requiring no external electronics or microcontroller programming to create a 1 Hz blinking effect. However, for those who require precision and programmability, Vincz's method offers an effective and innovative solution.
Anthony Vincz utilized the NE567 IC, initially designed for decoding tones, in an unconventional manner for the 2025 One Hertz Challenge. He connected it to an Arduino board, employing it to blend an LED's light pattern in response to an 800 Hz radio signal, thereby generating a 1 Hz signal.
The Arduino board, a popular microcontroller platform for hobbyists and professionals using the technology, was programmed to interpret the decoded radio signal and respond accordingly, making Vincz's approach unique in the challenge.
