IR Receiver: An Introduction to Infrared Communication

Introduction: Infrared (IR) communication is a widely used technology in various applications, including remote controls, security systems, and automation. An IR receiver is an essential component that allows electronic devices to receive and interpret signals transmitted via infrared light. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of IR receivers, their importance, and how they can be used in practical projects.

Project: For this example project, we will create a simple IR receiver circuit using an Arduino board. The objective is to receive and decode signals from an IR remote control, and perform specific actions based on the received commands. This project can serve as a foundation for more advanced applications such as home automation or robotics.

Component List: To complete this project, the following components are required:

• Arduino Uno board
• IR receiver module (such as TSOP38238)
• Breadboard
• Jumper wires

Examples: Example 1: Setting up the IR Receiver Circuit

#include <IRremote.h>

int RECV_PIN = 11; // Pin connected to the IR receiver module
IRrecv irrecv(RECV_PIN);
decode_results results;

void setup()
{
  Serial.begin(9600);
  irrecv.enableIRIn(); // Start the IR receiver
}

void loop()
{
  if (irrecv.decode(&results))
  {
    Serial.println(results.value, HEX); // Print the received code in hexadecimal format
    irrecv.resume(); // Receive the next value
  }
}

In this example, we include the IRremote library, define the pin connected to the IR receiver module, and create an instance of the IRrecv class. In the setup() function, we initialize the serial communication and enable the IR receiver. The loop() function continuously checks for incoming IR signals, decodes them, and prints the received code in hexadecimal format.

Example 2: Controlling LEDs with an IR Remote

#include <IRremote.h>

int RECV_PIN = 11;
IRrecv irrecv(RECV_PIN);
decode_results results;

int redLedPin = 2;
int greenLedPin = 3;

void setup()
{
  Serial.begin(9600);
  irrecv.enableIRIn();
  pinMode(redLedPin, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(greenLedPin, OUTPUT);
}

void loop()
{
  if (irrecv.decode(&results))
  {
    switch (results.value)
    {
      case 0xFFA25D: // IR code for turning on the red LED
        digitalWrite(redLedPin, HIGH);
        break;
      case 0xFF629D: // IR code for turning on the green LED
        digitalWrite(greenLedPin, HIGH);
        break;
      default:
        break;
    }

    irrecv.resume();
  }
}

In this example, we extend the previous circuit by adding two LEDs. Depending on the received IR code, we turn on either the red or green LED. The IR codes used in this example are specific to the remote control being used. By decoding different IR codes, you can control various devices or trigger specific actions in your projects.