“Infrared, sometimes called IR, is light that is just below the visual spectrum.
In fact, IR is part of the electromagnetic radiation (EMR) spectrum, and it has wavelengths longer than those of light we can see.
Much of the thermal radiation sent out from heated objects is IR.
Many IR systems, for Makers using Arduino or other microcontroller boards, come in inexpensive kits, which include a receiver, transmitter, and Dupont hookup cables. One such kit is shown in an attached still photograph.
I purchased this inexpensive kit as part of a multi-kit order. At the time of this Instructable’s publication, kits sold for about USD $1.25 each.
Most IR kits, such as the one I purchased, and show here, are relatively inexpensive.
To avoid any confusion it should be known that IR transmitters are also sometimes called IR emitters.
The attached video shows the wireless control of a Sparki Robot car using an infrared (IR) wireless remote controller.
Supplies:
- An Arduino UNO, or compatible clone
- IR Receiver
- IR Transmitter (Almost any transmitter/brand will do)
- Dupont Hookup Wires
- Three different colored LEDs (I used larger ones in Red, Yellow, and Green. However, any three (3) different colors and any size such as 3mm, 5mm, 8mm, or 10mm, etc. will work)
- Three current limiting resistors for the LEDs (any resistor value from 220 ohm to 470 ohm will work as will any wattage for the resistors, that is 1/4 watt or above)
- An optional experimental platform
In this introduction I used a Sparki and its remote controller, but that is not used in the Steps that follow.”