Rif.: Decoding signals from IR remote controls with LabVIEW

[Max_67]

Hello everybody,
I would like to create a little system using LabVIEW to decode the signals from the IR remote controls that we usually have for TVs and air conditioners.

What I have is:
- TSOP38238 IR receiver https://www.vishay.com/docs/82491/tsop382.pdf 
- NI PCI-6220 I/O card https://www.ni.com/docs/en-US/bundle/pci-pxi-6220-specs/page/specs.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqlwlyOpdytlN1X... 
- LabVIEW 2022 Q3 Professional Development System

The cable from the card is going to a perfboard, so it would be easy to connect the IR receiver to the PCI-6220.
The first thing that I need to know is if the TSOP38238 can be connected directly to the card, and if yes to which pins.
Then I would need to know which LabVIEW function would be best to use, assuming there is already something ready for this purpose.

Thanks in advance
Max

[Max_67]

The question must be either too dumb or too difficult, can't tell which of the two.

[GerdW]

Hi Max,

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@Max_67 wrote:

The question must be either too dumb or too difficult, can't tell which of the two.

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It's weekend and it's our spare time we use to write answers...

Yes you can connect the sensor to your DAQ card.

• Use it's 5V output for supply.
• Use a digital input, the sensor outputs digital data...

[Max_67]

Sorry, my doubt was because I'm just a software developer without any electronic knowledge, that's what I meant. 

No hurry here.

Good to know that it is possible.

So if I understood correctly.

Pin3 TSOP -> Pin8 NI Card (5V)

Pin1 TSOP -> Pin52 NI Card (P0.0 DI input)

Pin2 TSOP -> Pin18 NI Card (D GND)

My main doubt was about the use of Port 0 (P0.<0..7>) or PFI/Port 1/Port 2 Functionality.

The transmission should be very fast, I thought the latter had more chances to get the job done.

But again, I’m no expert, so I might be talking a load of rubbish.

[GerdW]

Hi Max,

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@Max_67 wrote:

My main doubt was about the use of Port 0 (P0.<0..7>) or PFI/Port 1/Port 2 Functionality.

The transmission should be very fast, I thought the latter had more chances to get the job done.

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You should use the "waveform characteristics" (aka Port0) to read digital waveforms with higher sample rates.

(I don't think you want to use the PFI for "timing input".)

[Max_67]

Thank you very much!

If port0 is suitable for the purpose, that's great!

Any hint about an example VI, if any, nearly ready for this job?

Thanks again

Max

[GerdW]

Hi Max,

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@Max_67 wrote:

Any hint about an example VI, if any, nearly ready for this job?

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LabVIEW/DAQmx comes with a huge library of example VIs: just open the example finder!

[DavidBoyd]

As an alternative to rolling your own completely from scratch and using a PXI DIO module with timing support (sounds expensive as a solution), have you looked into some of the third-party specialty hardware in the IR communications space?  There was a poster on here years ago who was experimenting with a device from RedRat that may be considerably less expensive and offer support via .NET. They've already done the non-trivial design work of integrating both an IR detector and emitter, with biasing/driving circuitry.  The emitter could be handy if you should decide you want to send commands as well.

Best regards,

Dave

[Max_67]

Yes, I looked into third-party solutions... but since I already have the PCI card and the IR receiver mine would be a cost-free solution.

But it's not only a matter of cost.

Being myself a LabVIEW developer it's also the thrill of the challenge!

Max