Monthly Archives: October 2014

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

Preview: SendIR, advanced infrared emitter

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

SendIR block diagram
SendIR 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 SendIR. Continue reading Preview: SendIR, advanced infrared emitter

Preview: LearnIR, advanced infrared learner device

The first new member of our MakeIR series of devices & kits will be LearnIR. This infrared learner packs lots of functionality for such a small device, several IR innovations and is built with only the highest quality IR components available.

LearnIR block diagram
LearnIR 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 LearnIR. Continue reading Preview: LearnIR, advanced infrared learner device

Driving an Infrared Led directly from an Arduino Pin

logobutton200x200A 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
Analysis of Voltage & Current for Infrared Led driven by Arduino

Continue reading Driving an Infrared Led directly from an Arduino Pin