Index

IR remote control

IR remote codes information
Circuits

Repeaters

Computer interfaces

Software

Other computer and IR related projects

Infrared remote control technology

IR remote control

General info

With most pieces of consumer electronics, from camcorders to stereo equipment, an infrared remote control is usually always included.Video and audio apparatus, computers and also lighting installationsnowadays often operate on infra-red remote control.The carrier frequencyof such infra-red signals is typically in the order of around 36 kHz. The control codes are sent in serial format modulated to that36 kHz carrier frequecy (usally by turning the carrier on and off).There are many different coding systems in use, and generallydifferent manufacturers use different codes and different datarates for transmission."IR" stands for infrared. Infrared light is invisible since its frequency is below that of visible red. Otherwise, it is like any other light source, operating under the same laws of physics. In most cases, the IR signals are produced by an LED source. TV remotes send commands only one way, in a low-speed burst for distances of up to 30 feet. They use directed IR with LEDs that have a moderate cone angle to improve ease-of-use characteristics. The IR signal sent out by those devices is generally modulated to around38 kHz carrier using amplitude shift keying (carrier on or off). The data rate send is generally in ra range of 100-2000 bps. Please note that there are some IR systems which use other frequencies and other modulation systems.IR transmit and receive systems are inexpensive and are generally reliable. However, interference from other IR sources can be a minor issue. Interference can come from IR remote controls, IR audio systems (these broadcast an IR signal continuously) or other IR sources. Interference can also be caused by other light sources such as fluorescent lights (the ballast can cause IR interference). Sometimes some electronic ballasts powered light can cause interferenceproblems. In order to avoidany interference with this kind of equipment, the operating frequencyof all electronic ballasts has to be chosen so that problemsin the 36 kHz frequency area are out of the question. Many existing IR systems modulate the IR light at around 36-40 kHz (this is the frequency of the IR carrier and should not to be confused with the actual frequency of the IR light itself). The possibility of interference is more likely around the 40 kHz frequency. One way to limit interference is to use higher IR carrier frequencies. Some IR systems now use carrier frequencies into the megahertz region.Generally infrared remote controls are a 32-40 kHz modulated square wave for communication. This square wave is then send to IR transmitter (IR LED). The carried frequency is amplitude modulated by the data, usually full on/off type modulation. The data rate is typically in 50-1000 bit/s range depending on the system used. Usually the tranmitter part is constructed so that the transmitter oscillator which is driving the infrared transmitter LED can be turned on/off by applying a TTL voltage on the modulationcontrol input (the signal that goes here is usually serial datafrom remote control keyboard decoding IC). On the receiver side a photodiode takes up the signal. The integrated circuit inside a typical receiving chip is sensitive only around a specific frequency in the 32-40 kHz range. The output is the demodulated digital input, just what wasused to drive the transmitter. Usually this kind of receivers work os that when IR the carrier is present, this output is high. When no carrier is detected, the output is low.This type of circuits can usually transmit a 1-3 kHz digital signal through infra light. When trying to receive IR signals, leave demodulation to one of the special IC's/modules ment for this and deal with the data only.The free air IR data transmission, IR remote control aswell as the most optoelectronic sensors and lightbarrier systems work with a wavelength between870nm and 950nm. The system described above is not the only one IR remote system in use, it is just the most commonly used one. Asystem that use unmodalated signals of a one kHz or 100 kHz (and several other frequencies) exist as well.

Davshomepage - Information about Infrared codes, I2C bus, pic16F84 kits, and other electronic stuff. Rate this link
Inside TV Remote Control - The remote control's job is to wait for you to press a key, and then to translate that key-press into infrared (pronounced "infra-red") light signals that are received by the TV. When you take off the back cover of the control you can see what is inside it. Rate this link
IR Control ? The Invisible Frontier - Today both IR (Infrared) signals are used throughout the A/V industry for communications and control Rate this link
Low cost IR filter - A low cost IR filter can be made from an exposed piece of color negative film. Rate this link
Programming your Universal Remote Control - Lost your manual? Can't figure out how to change the settings on your universal remote control? This webpage is a list of IR remote controller programming resources plus other online locations that offer help on programming various remote controls. Rate this link
Notes on the Troubleshooting and Repair of Hand Held Remote Controls Rate this link
Repair worn carbon rubber contacts Rate this link
Repair Your Remote Control Keys Rate this link
Testing remote control using ordinary AM radio receiver Rate this link
U-OFA-URC: The Unofficial One-For-All Universal Remote Control Pages Rate this link
U-OFA-URC: The Unofficial One-For-All Universal Remote Control Pages Rate this link

IR remote codes information

Daewoo infrared remote protocol Rate this link
JVC infrared remote protocol Rate this link
Panasonic's old infrared remote protocol Rate this link
Phillips RC5 infrared remote protocol page - Most audio and video systems are equipped with an infrared remote control. A common used standard protocol for infrared data communication is the RC5 code, originally developed by Phillips. Rate this link
RC5 Codes List Rate this link
RC5 Codes for Arcam Handsets Rate this link
Sony remote control protocols information Rate this link

Circuits

Repeaters

IR repeater circuits are remote control signal extenders. They can be used for example topick up remotecontrol's signals and send them trough a long cable to a IR-transmitter inthe other end of the cable, that would send the remotecontrol's signals to the IR signal recieving equipment that is placed in another room.

40 kHz TV-VCR light source repeater - designed to be placed directly in front of a standard TV or VCR remote to amplify the IR pulses to 10 timers stronger to operate a TV or VCR over three times the normal distance, pdf file Rate this link
Infra Red Remote Control Extender Rate this link
IR Remote control repeater circuit - also information about computer interfacing Rate this link
Remote Control Extender Mk1 - Originally published in Electronics in Action, January 1994 Rate this link
Remote Control Extender Mk2 - Originally published in Electronics and Beyond (The Maplin Magazine), February 1997 Rate this link

Build a remote controller

The Next to Minimal InfraRed Transmitter for PC - The Next to Minimal InfraRed Transmitter for PC was designed for a specific purpose: to invoke the 'Easy Startup Menu' of a SONY AV equipment, whose remote control is missing. No soldering iron, nor a oscillator was available - only one spare part infra red LED and a couple of hours. The solution was obvious - the infra red LED could be inserted to the parallel port, and both the carrier and modulator produced by software. Rate this link
Micro based PIR to IR remote converter - an automatic system which starts the VCR recording and stops four minutes after the last PIR event Rate this link
Remote control for Sony A/V equipment - PIC based remote controller for IR and wired Control-S bus Rate this link

Transmitter and receiver combinations for remote controlling

12 Channel IR Remote With Relay Board - This kit comprises a commercial 14-button remote control unit and a 12 channel relay board. This makes it very simple to add infrared remote control to any project or existing equipment. This page has a document that has complete details, including schematic and theory of operation. Rate this link
Infa-Red Remote Control - simple circuit which controls one relay output Rate this link
Infrared Remote Control - will allow you to turn on any piece of equipment that operates on 115 volts AC Rate this link
Remote Control Lighting - IR transmitter, receiver, switch and light dimmer Rate this link

Receiver circuits

40 kHz light receiver is immune to ambient light - you can achieve a range of several hundred feet with a standard TV or VCR remote control module, pdf file Rate this link
FPRC5RX - field programmable RC5/Sony infrared remote receiver/decoder - Diy learning remote decoder for RC5 and Sony featuring 16 parallel outputs using a PIC16F873. The IR codes are defined at run-time with the remote the decoder is supposed to understand. Rate this link
IR Remote Control Tester - measures the relative intensities of different Infra red light sources Rate this link
IR Receiver for Sony Remotes - receive signals from a standard Sony remote control and send the code bytes(2) received to an RS-232 port, based on PIC 16C84 Rate this link
Single IC forms sensitive modulated light receiver - a very inexpensive C-MOS IC that is connected to a small photodiode provides high sensitivity under high ambient light conditions, pdf file Rate this link

Misc circuits

Basic Infrated TX-RX - The transmitting section of this infrared tx-rx is unusually simple but it works rather well: the infrared LED pulses at a frequency of 160Hz and its range, with its receiver, is between 2 and 4m depending on the transformer used and the setting of the 100k pot. Rate this link
Collection of IR circuits - IR remote transponder, 40 kHz clock, night scope, IR remote decoding Rate this link
IR Remote Control Tester - measures the relative intensities of different Infra red light sources Rate this link
IR Remote Toggle Switch - Use ANY infra red remote to toggle this switch on or off. Relay output. Rate this link
Micro power 40 KHz burst laser diode driver - laser tag or simulated combat games can use this circuit to send short bursts of modulated laser light at the opponent's vest, equipped with a matching light receiver, operates from three 1.5v cells (4.5v) that should provide enough energy for about 200,000 shots, pdf file Rate this link
Modificiation for Sony STR-G3 receiver to add IR remote capability Rate this link

Computer interfaces

Combined receiver and transmitter circuits

How to use your RS232 or IRDA port for Remote Control Rate this link
A Serial Infrared Remote Controller - a simple, cheap device that can be connected to any serial port to control most components that have infrared remote controls, includes schematics for receiver and transmitter Rate this link
Linux Infra-red Remote Control (LIRC) Rate this link
PC IR Remote Control Rate this link
Serial Infrared Controller - zipper demo file from Rate this link
Universal IR Controller for a PC - This simple circuit allows you to record any IR remote control signal on your PC, and then play it back. This is particularly useful if you want to control appliances such as TVs, VCRs, CDs etc. from your computer. The device simply connects to the parallel port of your PC. You can also use this circuit to analyze the waveform from any IR remote control. This circuit was originally published in Electronics Australia, September 1998. Rate this link

Transmitters

A Serial Infrared Remote Controller - This is a simple, cheap device that can be connected to any serial port to control most components that have infrared remote controls. Rate this link
Computerized Infrared Remote - control your stereo, TV and VCR from Windows, includes schematic and software Rate this link
Infrapuna l?hetin osa - This circuit connects to suitable TTL output and generates IR signal suitable for IR remote receiving modules. The text in this document is in Finnish. Rate this link
Infrared Remote Home Control software Remocon-Con for Windows98 - able to fire remote control signal through built in infrared port (IrDA) that is of notebook personal computer standard equipment Rate this link
TechnoMote - IR controlling software for Windows 95, 98 and NT 4, works with Rate this link
The Next to Minimal InfraRed Transmitter for PC - very simple circuit and program, designed for Sony equipments but the source code can be modified for other systems Rate this link
Serial port controlled infrared transmitter with PIC - This is a programmable infrared (remote control) transmitter, which can be controlled from a PC serial port. It is capable of sending many remote control formats, including the Philips RC-5 standard. The controller will accept commands on the serial port. Settings are: 19200 bps, 8 bits, no parity, 1 stopbit, no flow control (XON/XOFF or RTS/CTS). Commands consist of hex coded bytes and must be written on the port as ASCII characters separated by space, terminated by ENTER (ASCII char 0d). You can use a terminal emulator program to test out the circuit. This document has also information how to analyze IR remote control protocol signals. Rate this link

Receivers

How to build a simple but cool IR (Infra Red) receiver - This is a step by step guide to build a serial infrared receiver for your computer, with many pictures and detailed instructions. This circuitry allows you to control your computer with a simple remote, like the one you already use for your TV-set. You can use LIRC for Linux or WinLIRC, the windows port as the control software. Rate this link
PC Remote Control compatible devices: Infrared Remote Control Of Your PC Is Easy! - simple device that connected to the computer serial-port enables the reception of infrared codes emitted from any commercial remote control unit and with a little Windows program the computer learns to recognize sequences and simulates key pressing or executes a program Rate this link
Receiver Circuits - wiring IR modules to PC serial port Rate this link
RMT32 Remote Control Add-On Rate this link
Universal Infrared Receiver - a small (1x2x1 inch) device that allows you to control your PC with the remote from your TV, VCR, CD or Stereo, based on PIC 12C509, connects to RS-232 port, also version for PIC 16C84 Rate this link
Universal Infrared Receiver - This is an UIR compatible infrared remote controller receiver that plugs to PC serial port. It is implemented using IR remote receiving module and PIC16F84. This device can be used for example with Girder software to control your PC. Rate this link

Software

Girder - program that receives the codes from the Universal Infrared Receiver (UIR) or the IRman and translates them into actions in your Windows computer Rate this link
IRAssistant - shareware software for controlling your PC remotely, can emulate mouse actions, launch applications and send command sequences (macros) with an ordinary remote controller, can be used with many different IR receiving modules, for example with populat Rate this link
LIRC - Linux software package that allows you to decode and send infra-red signals of many (but not all) commonly used remote controls Rate this link
PC Remote Control - This software that lets you remotely control your computer from the serial port (RS-232). This software works with many IR receivers, including commercial and homebuilt design. This software works also with IrDA-compliant transceiver module with ASK/TV Remote compatibility. Rate this link
uICE - The universal Infrared Control Engine - remotely controls many Windows procedures such as executing/closing applications, simulating keyboard input, adjusting audio volume and shutting down your machine by receiving commands from infrared or fm remote control receiver hardware connected to your computer Rate this link
WinLIRC - Windows equivalent of LIRC, the Linux Infrared Remote Control program which allows reception of IR signals with very simple receiver circuit. WinLIRC allows you to transmit and receive standard infrared remote control signals. This allows you to control your computer using almost any standard infrared remote control. It also allows your computer to control other equipment which uses these signals (stereo equipment). Rate this link

Product information

Misc

Infrared Head Phones - Using this low-cost project one can reproduce audio from TV without disturbing others. In place of a pair of wires, it uses invisible infrared light to transmit audio signals from TV to headphones. Rate this link
The InfraRexx Project - a free hardware and software project that allows your Amiga to control external devices and vice versa, via infrared signals Rate this link