Hacking a Remote. Application Circuit 3

We construct different types of Infrared Receiver LED ( Rx) or IR Sensor ( TSOP 1738 ) based circuits. To test, the working of the circuit we have to use an IR Transmitter. Usually we use IC 555 based IR transmitter for this. But the frequency of the IR from the Transmitter should match with that of the Sensor, otherwise the circuit will not respond. Here is a simple solution to test the IR based circuits. Simply Hack a Mini Remote obtained along with low cost FM radio, Toys etc. You have such Remotes in your Junk box. Let us Hack one such Remote to make a Tester.

IR LED Tester. Application Circuit 2

IR Rays are invisible to human eye, so it is very difficult to check the working of IR LED. Usually we use a Mobile camera to test IR LED since the pink light from the IR LED becomes visible in digital camera. We can make a simple IR LED tester so that, before using it in the project, we can confirm whether it is good or not. Lot of IR LEDs are also in our Junk box. So we can check all IR LEDs and  discard the damaged ones. The same tester can be used to check all ordinary LEDs, Photo diodes, Silicon and Germanium diodes etc.

Remote Tester. Home Utility Circuit 31

Every Home requires a Remote Tester because we are now using a number of Remote controlled Gadgets like TV, Home theater system etc. The Remote handset emits invisible pulsed Infrared rays which controls the functions of gadgets based on the pulsed data arriving. The Infrared Receiver LED (Rx) or a Photo module in the gadget senses this pulsed IR rays and makes the gadgets function accordingly. The Infrared Emitter LED (Tx) in the remote handset is similar to an ordinary LED but emitting Infrared rays in the wavelength around 900 nanometres. This wavelength is beyond our Spectral response, so we can’t see it. So what will do to confirm whether the Remote handset is working or not. If this tester is not available, we have to go to the shop to purchase a new one. Sometimes, it may be due to battery problem. Let us make one tiny Remote tester. It blinks an LED if the Remote is good. Its cost is only Rs.25.

LED as Zener diode. Design Note 37

What will do if you want a low voltage less than 3 volts as reference voltage for a circuit? Usually we use a low volt Zener to give low voltage to a particular section of the circuit. But Zener below 3.1 V is not available. So do this simple method. The LED can act a Zener to give a reference voltage. Each type of LED has a forward voltage drop that range between 1.7 V to 3.3 V. This forward voltage drop slightly increases when the input voltage increases. This is due to the increase in the luminosity of the LED. So let us exploit the LED to do the job of the Zener.

Infrared Alarm System. Design Note. 19

This design note explains how to design an invisible alarm system easily. Infrared Transmitter ( Tx) and Receiver ( Rx) LED pair is easily available which can be used for making this alarm system. Infrared transmitter LED emits infrared rays in the wavelength around 950 nm. This LED is a high current device that can handle more than 100 mA current. The IR receiver LED is a kind of Photodiode that generates a Photo current when it receives IR rays. So the IR LED pair is ideal to make an alarm system that operates both day and night.