Hello, I am kind of new to Arduino and I am working on a project with IR remotes, at least I think I am. I am trying to control 2 led light strips with an Arduino because they each have an IR remote. The first one was simple, since it just uses the NEC protocol and I got that working quite quickly. The second one however, is not simple. On my Arduino, I have an IR receiver that should activate an led whenever an IR signal is detected, but the led is not lighting up. Also, if it was an IR remote, then the led at the top of the remote would not emit any visible light, however whenever I press a button, it emits a visible, red light. Therefore is it not an IR remote? The led light strip was only 20$ so I doubt it is a RF remote. Dose anyone have any ideas?
Also, if you want a better explanation, pictures, or a video, I can add them.
Looks like a good conclusion although there could be both a visible and an IR LED in the handset.
I made this with two IR LEDs and a visible one for a LEGO project where the light sensor arm followed this beacon.
However there are two different types of IR LEDs each producing a different IR frequency. This has to match the frequency of the IR receiver to work with any range.
Thanks for your reply!
There are two types of IR frequencies? I didn't know that and that is probably my issue. Do you know anything about those two frequency types or do you know of any articles about it?
Thank you for your input!
850nm and 940nm
Well a lot more actually. It is normal to refer to wavelengths rather than the frequencies but it is the same property it is measuring.
TV remotes normally use 930 nm or 890nm. If you look at the data sheet of your receiver it will say what its peak sensitivity is. But there are others that can be used.
See this link for what one popular supplier has in stock:-
IR LEDs
why not? the LED on it could be for visual indication that it is activated not for transmission
Thanks for the information. I will do some testing and research and see what happens. Thank you everyone for your help!
Well, I think my remote is an RF remote. I thought It was not because it was so cheap, but, It is RF. Thank you Killzone_kid for your response. Since it is RF, dose anyone know how to receive and send RF signals with Arduino?
I should add it is a 21 key remote, like this one.
Yes, lots of people. To receive, use a radio receiver tuned to the correct frequency. To transmit, use a radio transmitter, tuned to the correct frequency.
Open up your remote and post a clear focused picture of the insides. Forum members will probably tell you what you actually have.
Note another way is to wire into the remote an in effect have the Arduino press the buttons for you.
However the way that is wired up depends on how the remote reads the buttons.
I have an example I could dig out if you want to go down that route.
Thank you Jremington and Grumpy_Mike for your responses. I was thinking, just because it might be cheaper, to wire the remote so the arduino is just pressing the buttons with reed switches and activating them with coils of copper. When I disassemble the remote later today, ill send a picture of the inside.
Taking it apart has left me even more confused. I don see any circuitry that I would expect if it was RF. Here are the pictures as requested.
Most IR remotes modulate the IR emitter at 37.9KHz.
I am not talking about the modulation frequency which can me anything between 29 to 42 KHz but the carrier frequency which is in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
I didn't notice that and you are probably right. I have found a video on how to wire this stuff up and I am going to try that as soon as I can get ahold of the parts needed.
Thank you to everyone for your help!
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