IR Board Problems

[Vikesrock]

Originally Posted by NOV8R

Dave Lavery in an earlier post stated

"You can build your own IR receiver board. You can also buy a different IR receiver board from any of a number of commercial sources (there are lots of them available with similar functionality). You can also use a completely different signaling technology. The IR boards provided in the Kit Of Parts are optional items - there is nothing that says you have to use them."

I've posted a Q&A question asking if he's correct " You can use a completely different signaling technology" If yes, I also asked if we can use 2.4 Ghz spread spectrum. I fly large scale radio controlled airplanes using this technolgy and it has none of the shortcoming of IR. We'll see what the Q&A folks have to say.

The answer will almost certainly be no. Allowed communication methods for hybrid signaling according to the rules are IR, Ultrasonic and Visible Light.

Active SIGNALING DEVICES shall:
 use visible light, infrared communications, or sound as the transmission method – no
other form of electro-magnetic radiation is permitted
a. All radio frequency communications (as defined by the United States Federal
Communications Commission) are explicitly prohibited.
b. All laser-based communications by any device classified by the U.S.
Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
as a laser are explicitly prohibited.
c. All communications must satisfy Rule <S01>.

[647techangel]

you can make your own as long as you send it with your robot.
then you make it as an "upgrade" part.

[Tom Line]

Originally Posted by Joe Ross

Here is the board that the FIRST board is based off of: http://www.tauntek.com/tinyir2-learn...l-receiver.htm

Thanks for the direction Joe - I had found that page as well and emailed back and forth a bit with the maker of the FIRST board and the TINYIR and TINYIR2 boards. He stated that he does not suggesting trying to use the TINYIR and TINYIR2 boards in FIRST competition because they will not function well in an environment with multiple IR controllers.

We found a different solution. Thanks for the all the help guys!

[eugenebrooks]

Originally Posted by NOV8R

If yes, I also asked if we can use 2.4 Ghz spread spectrum. I fly large scale radio controlled airplanes using this technolgy and it has none of the shortcoming of IR. We'll see what the Q&A folks have to say.

The rules are clear on this one. We can not use lasers,
and we can not use radio spectrum, as our signalling technology.

[Kevin Watson]

Originally Posted by Kevin Watson

I'm working on code that will work with the 12-bit Sony protocol.

Edit: Here's the FAQ that I started, but quickly forgot about: http://www.kevin.org/frc/2004/faq.htm

These photos showing how to quickly and cheaply build a sensor unit might be of interest: http://www.kevin.org/frc/2004/tracker

-Kevin

Well, the code works really well using a $2.00 Vishay IR detector and a Sony TV remote. I'll release the code after I do some testing with one of those universal remotes and write a bit of documentation.

-Kevin

[Frank Neuperger]

In testing the FIRST IR board, we found poor performance when multiple IR remotes were used. It is real easy to jam it. We were using a Sony code in a universal remote. It had range of at least 35 feet (not tested to greater distance) . When a second (jammer) remote was introduced at the same distance and the jammer button held down in repeat mode, our IR only got through very intermittently.

[Kevin Watson]

Originally Posted by Kevin Watson

I'm working on code that will work with the 12-bit Sony protocol.

I've released the code. See this thread for more information.

-Kevin