Amplify Remote control IR signal
 

Is there any way to amplify the IR signal that we get from our remote.?

We use a standard remote control

thanks alot Team #1577 SteamPunk Meet you all in atlanta

Re: Amplify Remote control IR signal
 

what we did was add like 5 more IR LED's to our remote and add IR recievers around our robot. so we have more range and 360 degrees of range. i didnt do this my self so i cant really tell you more details about it. but im sure another person can chime in and tell you how to do this.

Re: Amplify Remote control IR signal
 

Do you meen you have more than 1 IR board or you connected more recievers to that board? thank's alot

Re: Amplify Remote control IR signal
 

you could have 2 recievers OR you you hard wire in more if those black things on the IR boards that recieve the lights. thats what we did.

Re: Amplify Remote control IR signal
 

How did using the IR board work for you at your regionals? We planned on using it but never got the code and everything worked out. Did you have problems with interferience? or just not recieving the signal?

We are wanting to use it more in Atlanta, but dont really have time to rewire the thing or get another one so we have more coverage. So any suggestions on a simple way to increase the recievability of it? Or should just one IR board be fine if we aim the remote right at the thing?

Re: Amplify Remote control IR signal
 

We use our IR receiver to tell the robot which position our alliance color's trackball is occupying on the overpass. It only needs to get a signal at the very start of the match, so we aren't worried about range.

But we discovered that the remote controls we are using have a relatively narrow beam width. If you're too close to the receiver, correct aim is incredibly important. We also discovered that the IR beam from the remote isn't necessarily pointing straight forward. One of our two remotes is skewed enough to the left to affect the aim significantly.

We determined this by using a camera phone to watch the IR LED on the front of the remote while waving the remote around. You can easily tell where the beam intensity is greatest.

Re: Amplify Remote control IR signal
 

We use regular TV remote, a couple of transistors, and a 12 volt battery to drive a big array of IR LED's.

We cut out the LED on the remote and used that signal to source the step up.

Re: Amplify Remote control IR signal
 

You guys should post a picture. It's a total beast.

Re: Amplify Remote control IR signal
 

Ok. I'll take a photo of the practice rig this weekend.

Re: Amplify Remote control IR signal
 

Our students built a 60 LED array with a magnifier all jammed into a 5-inch PVC pipe so that it looks like a bazooka. Sorry I don't have a picture handy but you can look for it at Nationals! They mounted the remote on top so it could be triggered like a bazooka too. BTW, it worked like a charm when we used it. We had to turn it off a few times because it was jamming our alliance partners too????

Re: Amplify Remote control IR signal
 

I've seen a couple of setups like this before, and I've noticed that sometimes they can cause interference and other adverse effects. Do you know what circuit your team used?

Re: Amplify Remote control IR signal
 

I am also interested in the circuits that teams have used to pick off the IR drive signal and send it to several IR LEDs.

I have an idea to use an Op Amp, but surely there's a simpler circuit out there?

Thanks,
Don

Re: Amplify Remote control IR signal
 

I believe it is called a MOSFET.

Seriously, take a look at the beacons from the 2004 KOP. Also, look at Kevin's 2004 page. Everything you need to know is there, including this schematic.

Re: Amplify Remote control IR signal
 

My team was thinking about doing this exact same thing since when we make a left turn, the ir board no longer faces the robocoach and we loose communication. Is it as simple as soldering on more of those black receivers in parallel? Or did you have to design a circuit to amplify or isolate the sensors to prevent the signal that is supposed to go into the ir board from bleeding out of the additional sensors?
We would like to order parts and do this once we get to Atlanta so any pictures or details would be appreciated.
Thanks

Re: Amplify Remote control IR signal
 

do like ti tv be gone kit and have 2 wide angle high power ir led's and 2 narrow angle high power led's

also, you can reduce interference by placing a roof over your ir sensor(s) this decreases interference.