Tag Archives: IR

Preview: DetectIR, advanced infrared receiver

October 30, 2014AnalysIR Blog, MakeIR Kits, ProductsAir Conditioner, AirCon, AnalysIR, DetectIR, Infrared, IR, IR receiver, MakeIR, maker, modulation frequency, VishayUser Two

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.

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 →

Driving an Infrared Led directly from an Arduino Pin

October 3, 2014AnalysIR Blog, ArduinoArduino, ATmega328P, Atmel, AVR, constant current, Infrared, IR, IR LED, voltageUser Two

A common question asked on forums is one about – Driving an Infrared Led directly from an Arduino pin. Although the answer may be obvious to anyone with at least a basic knowledge of Ohm’s Law, many are confused about how to choose a resistor value for optimum performance. Often, there is a debate about whether a resistor is required at all, given that the AVR pins are rated to deliver an absolute maximum of 40mA on a pin. (Note: All of the quoted specs in the data sheet are for test conditions of up to 20mA on a pin). Of course there are better ways to drive an IR LED with a transistor circuit or even a constant current circuit. However, in this post we consider only the direct drive circuit using a current limiting resistor, as illustrated in the diagram down below.
Make sure to read the caveats at the end of this post.

Analysis of Voltage & Current for Infrared Led driven by Arduino

Continue reading Driving an Infrared Led directly from an Arduino Pin →

AnalysIR now decodes 40 Infrared Protocols

September 10, 2014AnalysIR BlogAir Conditioner, AirCon, AnalysIR, buy, decoding, Denon, get, Global Caché, Infrared, IRUser Two

We have been updating the AnalysIR documentation for the upcoming 1.0 release and realised that AnalysIR now decodes 40 Infrared protocols. Wow!. Along with the most common TV & media remotes controls there are 15 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 170 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 Infrared kits in the coming months.

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

Here is the latest list of Infrared protocols supported by AnalysIR. Continue reading AnalysIR now decodes 40 Infrared Protocols →

Poor maker’s Infrared receiver #2

May 28, 2014AnalysIR Blog, Arduino, IR SourcesAir Conditioner, AirCon, AnalysIR, Arduino, Carrier frequency, Infrared, IR, IR emitter, IR LED, IR receiver, IR signals, maker, Remote control, Reverse Bias, VishayUser Two

Our recent post about the silver bullet IR receiver proved very popular and we promised that we would follow-up with another variant of the poor maker’s Infrared receiver. This time we are using an IR Led (emitter), 2 resistors and any standard Arduino. You will also need to download the Arduino code provided below, compile and upload it. One of the most common problems encountered when trying to decode IR signals is that makers don’t always have the appropriate IR receiver for the job in hand or have to wait for one to be delivered by mail. Here we present an affordable method to allow you to use any IR emitter (LED) as a receiver and as a bonus we are publishing the Arduino code to make it all work.

Circuit Diagram: Poor maker's IR Receiver — Circuit Diagram: Poor maker’s IR Receiver

Continue reading Poor maker’s Infrared receiver #2 →

‘Silver bullet’ – the Oscilloscope Infrared Receiver

May 4, 2014AnalysIR Blog, IR Sources, Products, ProjectsAir Conditioner, AirCon, AnalysIR, BNC, Carrier frequency, decoding, Infrared, IR, IR receiver, IR signals, IR Tool, LED, oscilloscope, RCA, Remote control, workbenchUser Two

A while ago we came across a website on infrared remote controls which suggested a simple way to view IR signals using an Oscilloscope. The idea is to use a standard IR Led mounted into a BNC/RCA plug using a spare channel making an Oscilloscope infrared receiver. So we set about ordering the connectors, which arrived in the post today. Another way of looking at this device is as a ‘poor-mans’ IR receiver, but if you have an Oscilloscope to plug it into then maybe you are not so poor after all.

Silver Bullet - Infrared Receiver connected to Channel 1 — Silver Bullet – Infrared Receiver connected to Channel 1

Continue reading ‘Silver bullet’ – the Oscilloscope Infrared Receiver →

Infrared Receivers – signal lag and distortion

March 27, 2014AnalysIR BlogAnalysIR, Arduino, Carrier frequency, decoding, distortion, DIY, Infrared, IR, IR receiver, IR signals, IRLib, IRremote, LED, oscilloscope, TSSP4038, TSSP58038, VishayUser Two

Many electronics enthusiasts will be familiar with how Infrared receivers demodulate IR signals. In this post we show a visualisation of the time lag and distortion of the signals as they pass through the IR receiver for demodulation and noise filtering. Most DIY projects use the raw timings from the IR receiver to decode individual signals. However, not many will be aware that IR receivers can distort the signal timings by significant amounts. Fortunately, common IR decoders take this into account and compensate for timing distortions introduced by infrared demodulators / receivers.

Infrared Signal, Modulated & De-modulated

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Arduino: 10 common pitfalls with Infrared Remote Control

March 5, 2014AnalysIR Blog, ArduinoAnalysIR, Arduino, current limiting resistor, decoding, Infrared, Interference, IR, IR receiver, IR signals, IRLib, IRremote, NEC, RAWBUF, transistor, VishayUser Two

Over the last few months we have been regular contributors to the Arduino and other forums, answering questions about Infrared remote control projects. It became apparent that beginners typically trip up on many common ‘pitfalls’. So we decided to list off our ‘Top 10’.

Continue reading Arduino: 10 common pitfalls with Infrared Remote Control →

USB IR Toy – Infrared Carrier frequency review

January 10, 2014AnalysIR Blog, IR Sources30kHz, 33kHz, 36kHz, 38kHz, 40kHz, 455kHz, 56kHz, AnalysIR, Bang & Olufsen, Carrier freuency, Infrared, IR, oscilloscope, Remote control, USB IR ToyUser Two

Since introducing support into AnalysIR for the USB IR Toy we haven’t played too much with setting the different infrared carrier frequencies. After reading some mixed experiences on the Dangerous Prototypes forum we decided to put it to the test. So to start off we implemented a feature in AnalysIR to set the carrier frequency and to default to 38kHz at start up. Next we checked the mechanism described on the DP website about configuring the carrier frequency and everything seemed to work out OK. Continue reading USB IR Toy – Infrared Carrier frequency review →

Follow up: Custom TV infrared remote control using Arcade style console

December 5, 2013AnalysIR Blog, Arduino, ProjectsArduino, Infrared, IR, IRremote, LG, NEC, RC5, RC6, SKYUser Two

For anyone following the progress of our ‘Custom TV Infrared remote control’ for the SKY+ box, we received it back for some upgrading over the last week and tomorrow (weather permitting – there are lots of high winds in Europe today, with many flights being cancelled) it will be flown back to its owner, with several upgrades on board.

Custom SKY+ IR Remote control, by AnalysIR

Continue reading Follow up: Custom TV infrared remote control using Arcade style console →

Constant current infrared LED emitter circuit

November 22, 2013AnalysIR BlogAnalysIR, Arduino, circuit, constant current, diode, Infrared, IR, IRforum, IRLib, IRremote, NPN transistor, schematic, USB IR Toy, zenerUser Two

Recently, we have been asked several times about driver circuits for IR LEDs, particularly with good range and coverage. Most of us start off driving infrared leds directly from an Arduino or other MCU using a basic resistor in series with the LED connected to a digital output pin of the MCU.

IRsignaltraceRectifierDiodeIN4148 — An oscilloscope snalpshot showing a trace of Ve from the constant current circuit shown below.

Continue reading Constant current infrared LED emitter circuit →