Arduino IR Sensor and LEDs
Intro: Arduino IR Sensor and LEDs
This is a project for my physics 308 lab. Initially, I was not sure what I was going to build using an arduino. I decided to make something with an IR sensor. I was given an idea by my instructor to use remote to control the LEDs. I saw a YouTube video where someone using a common remote to control LEDs. I decided that was going to be my project. It seemed simple enough; however, it was not as easy as I initially thought considering this is my first project building a circuit or using an arduino. One website was particularly helpful in my endeavor (http://www.ladyada.net/learn/sensors/ir.html).
STEP 1: Test IR Sensor and Materials
List of materials:
Arduino Uno
Jumper kit
Breadboard
Four LEDs
Four 560-Ohm resistors
IR Sensor
Remote control
The website I mentioned earlier has a nearly step-by-step instruction. Using a breadboard with a 5V power supply, I connected an LED and the IR sensor together (initial ir sensing led on). The IR sensor has three prongs. Using the 5Vs, I was able to use a common remote to make the LEDs blink without any arduino just as a test. I used a 5V power supply rather than batteries like in the picture from the website (Initial circuit). I wanted to test the IR sensor because I have never used such a set up.
Arduino Uno
Jumper kit
Breadboard
Four LEDs
Four 560-Ohm resistors
IR Sensor
Remote control
The website I mentioned earlier has a nearly step-by-step instruction. Using a breadboard with a 5V power supply, I connected an LED and the IR sensor together (initial ir sensing led on). The IR sensor has three prongs. Using the 5Vs, I was able to use a common remote to make the LEDs blink without any arduino just as a test. I used a 5V power supply rather than batteries like in the picture from the website (Initial circuit). I wanted to test the IR sensor because I have never used such a set up.
STEP 2: IR Decoding
I used the arduino code (ir_decoder.h) to find the on and off times for the particular Samsung remote I was using. After you upload the program to the arduino, you use the serial monitor option on the arduino program to view the on and off times. I pressed the power button on the remote to view the times. I wanted to be able to program different buttons on the remote so I decoded the time for play, rewind, and forward buttons.
STEP 3: IR Commander
I downloaded the final code from Github (https://github.com/adafruit/IR-Commander). Once, I knew the on/off times for the buttons I plugged them into the IR commander code (ir commander.h). However, I found the coding complicated being this was my first time using an arduino. I was unable to make my arduino respond to the three remote buttons. Using the serial monitor, the arduino kept telling me it heard the pulses but nothing happened. I have added the coding as an attachment called ir commander.h. In addition, the original code was designed to act on an Apple remote.
STEP 4: Conculsion
I uploaded pictures of my initial prototype, my on/off times for the Samsung remote, and the arduino codes. Obviously, I was not able to complete a functional prototype, which was disappointing. However, I learned valuable knowledge for my first time working with an arduino. In addition this the link to my Github project (https://github.com/georgej2/Arduino-Project-for-308L). I would like to thank the owner of the website (http://www.ladyada.net/learn/sensors/ir.html) who helped me greatly with my project.
2 Comments
lestermck 10 years ago
hi i was trying this project out but i cant get the decoder to work and the decoder IR.docx will not open for me keeps saying error 404 could you send it to me or get it up and working again thanks
manu08 11 years ago