Hippogriff
Member
Hi all,
My next challenge - on my long learning-electronics path - is to understand a bit about IR remote control. You all know that my projects are about PICs (with JAL) controlling RGB LED strips via PWM and I've moved on to switches and potentiometers as I've progressed.
Now I've bought myself an IR remote control designed for lights - one with the buttons on for different colours and Fade and Strobe etc. - and I want to see if I can figure out how I might control my RGB LED strips with a remote.
So far, I have the IR remote, some TSOP IR Receivers... and my PICs. I have TSOPs running at 36KHz and 38KHz (just in case - as I don't know much about the remote itself).
I figure I connect the TSOP on a breadboard, point a remote at it, and then I'd need to decipher the pulses the TSOP outputs to a PIC input pin, in my JAL program. The theory is fine. How I get to that point is the tough part. I have no idea what the TSOP is spitting out and no way to analyse that.
So, I figured that I now need a logic analyser - to see what the TSOP emits when an IR remote button is pressed. That's the nub of my question... I don't yet have a PICKit II (which has a logic analyser feature) as I use a different (bought, not built) programmer but I've also seen the Saleae Logic () and it looks pretty good.
I wondered if anyone had any advice on the two options in front of me - or others? I don't want to go building something (I think it'll be beyond me for the time being) so I am looking for something off the shelf. The PICKit II is cheaper, but I often work on the "one tool for one job" mantra, so would the Saleae Logic be a good investment to not only get me past my current challenge, but also be invaluable in the future? It's about €149 plus shipping, so it's more expensive, but not Earth-shattering in £s.
One thing that concerns me about the Logic is the statement on their Tech. Specs. page which says "Logic may not be used with DUTs (devices under test) which are not electrically isolated from MAINS (i.e. wall power)." - I always use my bench PSU for project testing... I'd not want to ever risk frying my laptop via the USB port.
As always, advice and guidance appreciated.
My next challenge - on my long learning-electronics path - is to understand a bit about IR remote control. You all know that my projects are about PICs (with JAL) controlling RGB LED strips via PWM and I've moved on to switches and potentiometers as I've progressed.
Now I've bought myself an IR remote control designed for lights - one with the buttons on for different colours and Fade and Strobe etc. - and I want to see if I can figure out how I might control my RGB LED strips with a remote.
So far, I have the IR remote, some TSOP IR Receivers... and my PICs. I have TSOPs running at 36KHz and 38KHz (just in case - as I don't know much about the remote itself).
I figure I connect the TSOP on a breadboard, point a remote at it, and then I'd need to decipher the pulses the TSOP outputs to a PIC input pin, in my JAL program. The theory is fine. How I get to that point is the tough part. I have no idea what the TSOP is spitting out and no way to analyse that.
So, I figured that I now need a logic analyser - to see what the TSOP emits when an IR remote button is pressed. That's the nub of my question... I don't yet have a PICKit II (which has a logic analyser feature) as I use a different (bought, not built) programmer but I've also seen the Saleae Logic () and it looks pretty good.
I wondered if anyone had any advice on the two options in front of me - or others? I don't want to go building something (I think it'll be beyond me for the time being) so I am looking for something off the shelf. The PICKit II is cheaper, but I often work on the "one tool for one job" mantra, so would the Saleae Logic be a good investment to not only get me past my current challenge, but also be invaluable in the future? It's about €149 plus shipping, so it's more expensive, but not Earth-shattering in £s.
One thing that concerns me about the Logic is the statement on their Tech. Specs. page which says "Logic may not be used with DUTs (devices under test) which are not electrically isolated from MAINS (i.e. wall power)." - I always use my bench PSU for project testing... I'd not want to ever risk frying my laptop via the USB port.
As always, advice and guidance appreciated.