How to Use IR Receiver with Arduino
In this article, we will guide you through the process of using an IR (Infrared) receiver with an Arduino. IR receivers are commonly used in remote controls, television sets, and other electronic devices to receive and decode infrared signals. By connecting an IR receiver to your Arduino, you can control various devices or even create your own IR-based projects. Let’s dive into the details of how to use an IR receiver with Arduino.
Understanding the IR Receiver
Before we proceed, it’s essential to understand the basics of an IR receiver. An IR receiver is a sensor that detects and demodulates infrared signals. It typically consists of a photodiode or phototransistor, which converts the infrared light into an electrical signal. The signal is then amplified and filtered by an internal circuit before being outputted to the Arduino.
Connecting the IR Receiver to Arduino
To connect the IR receiver to your Arduino, follow these steps:
1. Gather the required components: IR receiver module, Arduino board, breadboard, and jumper wires.
2. Connect the VCC pin of the IR receiver to the 5V pin on the Arduino.
3. Connect the GND pin of the IR receiver to the GND pin on the Arduino.
4. Connect the OUT pin of the IR receiver to any digital pin on the Arduino, such as pin 2 or 3.
Writing the Code
Now that the hardware is connected, we need to write the code to decode the infrared signals received by the IR receiver. We can use the “IRremote” library, which is a popular library for Arduino that supports various IR protocols.
1. Download and install the “IRremote” library from the Arduino IDE library manager.
2. Open a new sketch in the Arduino IDE.
3. Include the “IRremote.h” library at the beginning of your sketch: `include
4. Declare a variable to store the IR receiver pin: `IRrecv irrecv(2);` (assuming you connected the OUT pin to pin 2)
5. Create a function to decode the received signal: `decode_results results;`
6. In the `setup()` function, start the IR receiver: `irrecv.begin();`
7. In the `loop()` function, check for received signals: `if (irrecv.decode(&results)) {`
8. Print the received signal code to the serial monitor: `Serial.println(results.value, HEX);`
9. Clear the received signal buffer: `irrecv.resume();`
Testing the IR Receiver
Upload the code to your Arduino and open the serial monitor. Point an IR remote control at the IR receiver module and press a button. You should see the corresponding signal code printed in the serial monitor. This confirms that the IR receiver is working correctly.
Using the Decoded Signal
Now that you have successfully decoded the infrared signals, you can use the received signal code to control other devices or integrate it into your project. For example, you can use the decoded signal to trigger an action, such as turning on an LED or sending a command to a remote device.
In conclusion, using an IR receiver with Arduino is a straightforward process. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily connect and decode infrared signals, enabling you to create various IR-based projects. Happy hacking!
