Tag Archives: MakeIR

KontroLIR is available for limited preorder now

KontrolIR - the first  Arduino compatible IR remote control (Arduino Compatible)
KontroLIR

Just a quick note to say that KontroLIR is available for limited preorder now. Check out he following links for details:

Shop: preorder KontroLIR here
Blog: Previous blog post about KontroLIR
WiKi: Full documentation is available via the KontroLIR wiki

Continue reading KontroLIR is available for limited preorder now

KontroLIR – the first Arduino compatible IR remote control

KontrolIR - the first  Arduino compatible IR remote control (Arduino Compatible)
KontroLIR

We are excited to announce our newest product KontroLIR – the first Arduino compatible IR remote control. Users can now design their very own Infrared remote to work exactly how they want. The possibilities are unlimited. Customize the fully featured firmware within the Arduino IDE to your own needs or just add your own signals to the pre-configured 5 device/225+ buttons. Sketches are uploaded over Serial USB I/F from the Arduino IDE – just like any other sketch. KontroLIR features an ATmega328PB, a high power emitter, an indicator LED and is powered by 2xAAA alkaline batteries. Low power operation is already implemented with ~1uAmp idle current for long battery life. Available options include IR Receiver, IR Learner, 16 to 256KBytes I2c EEPROM and a serial USB adapter for uploading your sketch from the IDE. KontroLIR supports IRremote, IRLIB and is tightly integrated with our own AnalysIR Application.

Continue reading KontroLIR – the first Arduino compatible IR remote control

A.IR Shield Nano Python Script – Raspberry Pi (RPi)

Using A.IR Shield Nano with RPi
Using A.IR Shield Nano with RPi

Following the release of our highly popular A.IR Shield Nano, we have received numerous requests about using the module with platforms other than Windows. Because the module uses a standard Serial USB interface for communicating, experienced users can easily integrate it into any other platform. To assist other users we have now released an A.IR Shield Nano Python Script. Continue reading A.IR Shield Nano Python Script – Raspberry Pi (RPi)

Preview: A.IR Shield ESP8266/ESP32 Tx, a high-end IR Shield

A.IR Shield ESP8266/ESP32 Tx for AnalysIR with IR Blasters

The latest member of our MakeIR series of devices & kits is the A.IR Shield ESP8266/ESP32 Tx. This shield works out of the box with AnalysIR and is essentially plug & play, with additional custom Firmware options. This shield is a ‘sibling’ to our related TRx shield, and features IR multi-send only vs the send & receive of the TRx shield. The shield plugs into a Wemos D1 Mini (ESP8266) with headers or any pin-compatible clone (e.g. ESP32 Mini D1). Although designed specifically for AnalysIR, users can also upload any sketches that run on the ESP for Infrared remote control projects by customising the included firmware. A.IR Shield ESP8266/ESP32 Tx is built with only the highest quality IR components available and boasts dual Infrared emitters with configurable IR Power. The supplied firmware uniquely supports hardware PWM for sending IR signals (on ESP8266). Continue reading Preview: A.IR Shield ESP8266/ESP32 Tx, a high-end IR Shield

Using AnalysIR with Flirc – Video tutorial

We have posted a brief 4 minute “Using AnalysIR with Flirc – Video tutorial”  showing how to use the Flirc USB device as an Infrared remote control signal source for AnalysIR. The video is available now via YouTube, by clicking the image below. The tutorial covers the semi-automatic method we have used to support this feature, which should greatly enhance the Flirc Device and enable more troubleshooting with problematic signals or just simply as an additional powerful feature for the Flirc device. There is no need to update your Flirc installation or firmware, provided you have the latest revision installed. {See update notes below}


Continue reading Using AnalysIR with Flirc – Video tutorial

Preview: A.IR Shield ESP8266 TRx, a high-end IR Shield

The latest member of our MakeIR series of devices & kits is the A.IR Shield ESP8266 TRx.

A.IR Shield ESP8266 TRx with Wemos D1 Mini

This shield works out of the box with AnalysIR and is essentially plug & play, with additional custom Firmware options. The shield plugs into a Wemos D1 Mini (ESP8266) with headers or any pin-compatible clone. Although designed specifically for AnalysIR, users can also upload any sketches that run on the Wemos for Infrared remote control projects by customising the included firmware. A.IR Shield ESP8266 TRx is built with only the highest quality IR components available and boasts dual Infrared emitters with configurable IR Power. The supplied firmware uniquely supports hardware PWM for sending IR signals.

A.IR Shield block diagram ESP8266 TRx
A.IR Shield block diagram ESP8266 TRx

We have provided a link below to the product data sheet and would welcome feedback on additional, nice to have or missing features, if any. Please read the data sheet for a more detailed description of the A.IR ESP8266 TRx shield. The shield is now available to purchase via our web shop.

A.IR Shield ESP8266 TRx Wemos D1 Mini sidebyside
A.IR Shield ESP8266 TRx Wemos D1 Mini side-by-side

Custom Firmware

Although designed to work with AnalysIR, users can customise the provided firmware to send and receive IR signals via web requests, thus making integration into projects easy. More advanced users can integrate into platforms like Alexa or similar.

Also check out our example for creating your own IR send sketch for a variety of Signals (Air Conditioner, HEX, RAW & protocol based) using this shield with a Wemos D1 Mini or any ESP8266.

Continue reading Preview: A.IR Shield ESP8266 TRx, a high-end IR Shield

Updated ESP8266 NodeMCU Backdoor uPWM Hack for IR signals

In our previous post we showed how to generate stable IR carrier signals using the ESP8266 NodeMCU module. A feature of the original approach was that the output IR signal was inverted and required some additional circuitry to invert it again before transmission. Since the original post we have figured out a method to output a non-inverted or standard IR signal thus removing the need for the additional circuitry. This is achieved by using what turned out to be a very simple setting hidden deep in the ESP8266 UART registers which is covered below. Like all simple solutions it also threw up some other quirks of the ESP8266 NodeMCU, which were eventually overcome with the addition of a simple resistor. The Updated ESP8266 NodeMCU Backdoor uPWM Hack for IR signals is detailed below – including updated source firmware, new circuit diagram and explanation of the ‘quirk’. Read on….

Esp8266 NodeMCU and MakeIR SendIR module from AnalysIR
ESP8266 NodeMCU and MakeIR SendIR module from AnalysIR

Continue reading Updated ESP8266 NodeMCU Backdoor uPWM Hack for IR signals

Preview: A.IR Shield Photon, a high-end Infrared Shield for AnalysIR

The final member of our first MakeIR series of devices & kits is the A.IR Shield Photon. This shield works out of the box with AnalysIR and is essentially plug & play, with additional prototyping options. The shield plugs into a (Particle) Photon with headers or pin-compatible clone. Although designed specifically for AnalysIR, users can also upload any sketches that run on the Photon for Infrared remote control projects by customising the included firmware. A.IR Shield Photon is built with only the highest quality IR components available and boasts dual Infrared emitters with configurable IR Power. The supplied firmware supports hardware PWM for sending IR signals.

A.IR Shield Photon block diagram RevA
A.IR Shield Photon 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 data sheet for a more detailed description of the A.IR Photon shield.

MakeIR - AIR Shield Photon
MakeIR – AIR Shield Photon

Continue reading Preview: A.IR Shield Photon, a high-end Infrared Shield for AnalysIR

LearnIR Video Tutorial GUI Introduction

We have just posted a 25 minute LearnIR video tutorial  introducing the GUI (Graphical User Interface) of LearnIR, which is available via YouTube. The tutorial covers the important features available with LearnIR through the GUI. We cover each of the feature tabs in the Windows application including Learning, Configuration, Utilities, Library, Debug mode and firmware updating.

Continue reading LearnIR Video Tutorial GUI Introduction

Preview: BeamIR the Infrared Light Barrier

The sixth and last member of our first  MakeIR series of devices & kits is BeamIR the Infrared Light Barrier. This pair of modules is based on an Infrared Light Barrier system with a range of additional applications. In addition to Light Barriers, BeamIR can also be used to deliver solutions involving Security projects, Lap Timers, Laser Tag – invisible trip wire, Photography, Photo Interrupter, Reflective sensors for hand dryers, towel or soap, Dispensers, water faucets, toilet flush, Vending machine fall detection, Virtual ‘fence’, CNC wireless Probes, Security and pet gates, Person or object vicinity activation.  BeamIR is built with only the highest quality IR components available and includes constant current drivers, noise suppression circuitry and visual indicators on signal lock.

BeamIR block diagram
BeamIR 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 data sheet for a more detailed description of the A.IR shield. Continue reading Preview: BeamIR the Infrared Light Barrier