Simple Infrared PWM on Arduino, Part 2- RAW IR Signals

In Part 1 of this series, we demonstrated how to send signals using simple Infrared PWM on Arduino. In this Part 2 post we look at sending RAW IR signals – specifically a RAW NEC signal and a longer RAW Mitsubishi Air Conditioner signal. We have also improved the method shown in Part 1 due to some issues we identified when sending ‘real’ signals versus the ‘test’ signal we used before. (More on that later). In Part 3, we will take the signals from this post and show how to send them using their binary (or Hex) representation, which saves lots of SRAM.

Original NEC 32-bit and Mitsubishi 88-bit Signals displayed using AnalysIR
Original NEC 32-bit and Mitsubishi 88-bit Signals displayed using AnalysIR

Continue reading Simple Infrared PWM on Arduino, Part 2- RAW IR Signals

Simple Infrared PWM on Arduino

We are often asked on discussion boards, about conflicts between IRremote or IRLib and other Arduino Libraries. In this post, we present a sketch for ‘Simple Infrared PWM on Arduino’. This is the first part in a 3 part series of posts. Part 1 shows how to generate the Simple Infrared PWM on Arduino (AKA carrier frequency), using any available IO pin and without conflicting with other libraries. Part 2 will show how to send a RAW infrared signal using this approach and Part 3 will show how to send a common NEC signal from the binary or HEX value.

Example 56kHz generated Infrared signal @ 50% duty cycle
Example 56 kHz generated Infrared signal @ 50% duty cycle

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Latest release of AnalysIR V1 preview #2 is now available for download

Dublin, Ireland – 17th April 2015. We are happy to announce the latest release of AnalysIR V1 preview #2 is now available for download by our backers & supporters. Existing users of AnalysIR will receive an email with instructions on how to download this version. New users will receive the details as part of the registration process.

AnalysIR Screenshot
AnalysIR Screenshot

A major highlight of this release is full AnalysIR support for our soon to be released LearnIR (IR Learner). LearnIR delivers the best performance available for receiving and sending Infrared signals with excellent accuracy.

View the AnalysIR Product Sheet(PDF)

We would like to extend a big thanks to the many users around the world who have helped with feature requests, new protocols and testing over the last months.

Some Highlights in this latest release include:

Continue reading Latest release of AnalysIR V1 preview #2 is now available for download

AnalysIR now decodes over 60 Infrared Protocols

We have been updating the AnalysIR documentation for the upcoming 1.0 release and realised that AnalysIR now decodes over 60 Infrared protocols. Wow!. Along with the most common TV & media remotes controls there are 25 Air Conditioner protocols included. The full set of protocols is included with the latest ‘dev’ release, which is available to all current & new owners of AnalysIR (less the aforementioned documentation) in advance of the  pending 1.0 release. The 1.0 release will incorporate over 200 new features, updates and fixes compared to the initial release and also supports our new IR Learner which will be launched along with a range of MakeIR Infrared kits in the coming months.

Over 40 Infrared ProtocRols supported by AnalysIR
Over 60 Infrared Protocols supported by AnalysIR

Here is the latest list of Infrared protocols supported by AnalysIR. Continue reading AnalysIR now decodes over 60 Infrared Protocols

Reverse engineering the Mitsubishi AC Infrared protocol

This post is the second in a two-part series about Reverse Engineering AC Infrared protocols. This time we look at the Mitsubishi Air Conditioner IR Protocol. The project was undertaken by  two of our users in France (Vincent & Mathieu), with the help of AnalysIR, who  collaborated to reverse engineer this Mitsubishi and previously the Panasonic AC Infrared protocol, both examples of the more challenging AC Infrared protocols. Not only did they identify the individual field codes & checksum but also provided some impressive documentation. Detailed information is available via GitHub which is linked below. This 288 data bit Mitsubishi AC Infrared protocol is composed of two consecutive frames. Both frames are always identical for each signal sent. In common with most AC units the complete settings are sent with every IR signal (temperature, fan, swing etc…). AnalysIR was used to record and turn the signal into HEX/Binary format from which the reverse engineering of the individual fields was tackled.

Mitsubishi AC AnalysIR Screenshot
Mitsubishi AC AnalysIR Screenshot

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Reverse engineering the Panasonic AC Infrared protocol

Recently, two of our users in France (Vincent & Mathieu) collaborated to reverse engineer the Panasonic AC Infrared protocol, one of the more challenging AC Infrared protocols using AnalysIR. Not only did they identify the codes & checksum but also provided some impressive documentation and full source code to help others. Detailed information is available via GitHub which is linked below. This 216 data bit Panasonic AC Infrared protocol is composed of two consecutive frames. The first frame remains constant for every command sent to the AC unit. In common with most AC units the complete configuration is sent with every IR signal (temperature, fan, swing etc…). AnalysIR was used to record and turn the signal into HEX/Binary format from which the reverse engineering of the individual fields was tackled.

AnalysIR - Panasonic AC 216 bit Infrared signal
AnalysIR – Panasonic AC 216 bit Infrared signal

Continue reading Reverse engineering the Panasonic AC Infrared protocol

Infrared receiver showdown – TSOP34438 vs VS1838B winner revealed

Having helped many makers resolve problems with Infrared remote control projects over on the Arduino forum, we decided to put 2 of the more common 38kHz receivers, TSOP34438 vs VS1838B,  ‘head-to-head’ over 3 rounds in a winner takes all contest. Different people report a wide variety of problems when first attempting infrared remote control, resulting from using the wrong receiver to timer or interrupt conflicts between the various libraries available. Our commentary on the ‘face-off’ will hopefully shed some light on the ability of these 2 common Infrared receivers to deliver results, as expected.

Idle Interference on VS1838B
Idle Interference on VS1838B

Continue reading Infrared receiver showdown – TSOP34438 vs VS1838B winner revealed

AnalysIR supports PSOC 4 from Cypress

AnalysIR now provides support for the PSOC 4 Prototyping kit from Cypress. Effective immediately users of AnalysIR can use the kit to act as an Infrared source for AnalysIR. The PSOC 4 Prototyping kits are available from Cypress and via their global distributors for just US$4 plus shipping. To use the kit with AnalysIR you will also need an IR Receiver and an optional IR Learner, which can also be purchased with AnalysIR. Initially, the PSOC Firmware is available on request and will be included as part of the installation package in a future release.

PSOC4 and AnalysIR
PSOC4 and AnalysIR

Continue reading AnalysIR supports PSOC 4 from Cypress

Preview: DetectIR, advanced infrared receiver

The fourth member of our MakeIR series of devices & kits will be DetectIR. This infrared receiver module can be configured for Visual IR signal detection, Serial over IR or as an Infrared receiver which can handle even the longest Air conditioner signals. DetectIR is built with only the highest quality IR components available.

DetectIR block diagram
DetectIR block diagram

We have provided a link below to the preliminary product data sheet and would welcome feedback on additional, nice to have or missing features, if any. Please read the datasheet for a more detailed description of DetectIR. Continue reading Preview: DetectIR, advanced infrared receiver

Preview: RepeatIR, advanced infrared repeater

The third member of our MakeIR series of devices & kits will be RepeatIR. This infrared repeater module boasts several unique features not readility available to date and is built with only the highest quality IR components available.

RepeatIR block diagram
RepeatIR block diagram

We have provided a link below to the preliminary product data sheet and would welcome feedback on additional, nice to have or missing features, if any. Please read the datasheet for a more detailed description of RepeatIR. Continue reading Preview: RepeatIR, advanced infrared repeater