USB IR Toy v2
From DP
Use a remote control with your computer, view infrared signals on a logic analyzer, or capture and replay remote control buttons. USB Infrared Toy v2 has an improved IR transmitter and several new features.
Features:
- NEW: 100mA constant current IR transmitter with improved range
- NEW: Infrared frequency measurement
- NEW: Pin breakout area
- Infrared remote control decoder (RC5)
- Infrared signal logic analyzer
- Capture and replay infrared signals
- USB connection, USB bootloader for easy updates
- Supported in WinLIRC
- Open source (CC-BY-SA)
[Get IR Toy v2 for $20].
Read about the design below.
Contents |
Overview
History and related links
Hardware
Click for a full size schematic image. Schematic and PCB were designed with the freeware version of Cadsoft Eagle, download the latest project files from our Google Code project page.
Microcontroller
- Microcontroller
- Power and decoupling
- Oscillator
- Programming and reset support
- LEDs
Infrared demodulator
Infrared frequency detector
Infrared transmitter
Breakout area
PCB
We used the freeware version of Cadsoft Eagle to make the schematic and PCB. Download the latest designs and firmware from the project Google Code page.
- PCB and placement notes
- soldering advise
Partslist
Click for a full size placement image.
| heading | heading |
|---|---|
| cell | cell |
| cell | cell |
Firmware
IR Toy v2 uses the same firmware a v1
The firmware is written in C and compiled with the free Microchip C18 compiler. You can download the latest files from our Google Code project page.
We used the Microchip USB stack to run the 18F2550 as a virtual serial port. Microchip's code is open but not redistributable. If you want to compile the source, download the stack from Microchip, then drag the source code into the install directory. See the detailed instructions in the PIC compiler how-to.
.inf driver installation
The virtual serial port (CDC) is an open standard, it should work on any modern operating system.
You don't need a driver, but you will need a .inf file to tell Windows how to use the device. A suitable .inf is included in the project archive.
Bootloader
IR Toy v2 can be upgraded over USB. It uses the Diolan bootloader, which appears as a USB HID device.
Taking it further
The QSE159 sensor and rising cost of PIC 18F2550 chips increased the price of IR Toy v2 by more than $1. We’ll try to get the cost back down by using a cheaper 3.3volt PIC 18F25J50 in v3.
Firmware updates are posted on the blog. You can also join the discussion in the forum.
Get one!
You can [get one for $00], including worldwide shipping.
Your purchases at Seeed Studio keep the open source project coming, we sincerely appreciate your support!
Links
License
- Hardware:CC-BY-SA
- Firmware:CC-BY-SA
- Bootloader:GPL