Hi guys!
I am trying to make a laser tag system using IR and I was wondering if someone could help me out with an amplification circuit. I don't know how to read schematics though, so if you could explain it to me in laymen's terms, it would be greatly appreciated! Also, would it help to get an Adafruit Super Bright IR Led instead of a regular IR Led like this one? LED - Infrared 950nm - COM-09349 - SparkFun Electronics
Thanks!
Hi guys!
I am trying to make a laser tag system using IR and I was wondering if someone could help me out with an amplification circuit. I don't know how to read schematics though, so if you could explain it to me in laymen's terms, it would be greatly appreciated! Also, would it help to get an Adafruit Super Bright IR Led instead of a regular IR Led like this one? LED - Infrared 950nm - COM-09349 - SparkFun Electronics
Thanks!
What is Your background, education, experience etc? Reading data sheets and schematics is necessary for creating electronics.
I am a hobbyist and I like to mess around with robotics and create projects. I am pretty experienced in coding and usually look up a design of the electronics and modify them as needed. I have a basic understanding, but get confused in advanced schematics.
Post a schematic and we'll try to explain it to you. IR transmit circuits are common on the internet.
Okey. Good You have coding experience. Reading specs, what the pins represent on Circuits etc., is really necessary to do. I've done it for 45 years and it's not that difficult. Overlooking large systems is always difficult but working with a few circuits You have selected Yourself is not that hard.
You ask about amplifiers. What is it Your stuff is supposed to do in the fianl end? Explain that for us.
If this is too advanced for you, then stick to model making.
Two ways to increase the LED output are more LEDS, and/or higher power. A laser tag system would require a pulse modulated signal so that the receiver can differentiate from different sources. (That is how your TV IR remote works). As such, you can put three or four LEDs in series and adjust R1 for the max current rating of the LEDs, depending on your battery voltage. But since the LEDS will be pulsed, you can typically pump them with 1A. See the LED specs for the exact limit.
Cross posted in Project Guidance.
@Cessna172, do not cross-post. Threads merged.
Sorry about that. I wasn't sure what category to put it under. Thanks for all of the advice! Do you guys know if it would help to have a Super Bright IR Led or would it not make a difference in range? Thanks!
I am trying to hook this onto an RC airplane for a kind of RC Dogfight. I have the software working, but I just can't get the range. Also, in the schematic posted above, I was wondering what the Q2 IRLZ442 component was. Thanks again for all the help guys!
https://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=680423.0;attach=359973
I was wondering what the Q2 IRLZ442 component was.
The device shown inthe schematic is what is kown as a Power MOSFET. This is a type of transistor, actually from the Wiki "The metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor, also known as the metal–oxide–silicon transistor, is a type of insulated-gate field-effect transistor that is fabricated by the controlled oxidation of a semiconductor, typically silicon". Wikipedia
It is also what is known as a Logic Level MOSFET which simply means it has a low turn on voltage. Logic Level MOSFETs are popular fir use with micro-controllers because of that feature. There is much, much more to it but simplified they are frequently used as a switch to handle higher current loads than a uC can source.
The one used in the schematic has a data sheet:
Reading and understanding data sheets and schematics takes a long time and plenty of study so don't worry about it. The link is more about showing you what a data sheet looks like than having you understand it. 
Ron
and usually look up a design of the electronics and modify them as needed
REALLY ?
Then WHY didn't you Google "IRLZ442" ?
Even if you can't recognize a mosfet in a schematic you surely should be able to google it.
To the OP's project- RC model dogfight targeting.
I suspect that the range is not as much a problem, though more LEDs or more power would help, as the timing. How long does it take for an exchange from an LED PWM sending a signal to the receiving IR detector recognizing it?
Alternately, if it is one-on-one, then you don't have to decode the IR signal to see who fired the shot, just that a 38kHz pulsed LED was seen.
To the OP's project- RC model dogfight targeting.
Where did you get that ?
All I saw was "Laser Tag" which is a combat soldier mock warfare game played in camos with laser tag
equipment similar to that used by real military and police for training.
I never heard of RC dogfight targeting.
I used to RC dogfight with Strykers but we didn't have any targeting electronics.
If you want long range with IR you need lenses - which means transmitter or receiver or both will be directional.