Universal Remote Control using Arduino | IR receiver and Transmitter

Introduction

In this Project, we are going to make a Universal Remote Control using Arduino. the Universal remote control is a device that can control multiple electronic devices using a single remote. In this tutorial, we will use an Arduino Uno to build a universal remote control that can send infrared (IR) signals to various electronic devices such as TVs, DVD players, and audio systems. We will use an IR receiver to receive the signals from the original remote control and an IR transmitter to send the signals to the electronic devices.

Hardware Required

Decoding the HEX values

To create a universal remote control using an Arduino board and an IR receiver, you will need to build a simple circuit. The circuit consists of an Arduino board and an IR receiver, which will receive the signals from your regular remote control.

Circuit Diagram for IR Receiver

Working Explanations

To get started, power up the circuit and point your regular remote control towards the IR receiver. Press the buttons on your regular remote control that you want to incorporate into your universal remote control. The decoder will print out the HEX values on the Serial monitor in the form of hexadecimals.

Before you upload the code onto your universal remote control, you need to convert these hexadecimals into decimals. You can use online tools to convert the hexadecimals into decimals.

Some of the basic buttons that you can add to your universal remote control are Power, Volume Up, Volume Down, Previous, Next, and Source for the TV, and Power, Temperature Up, Temperature Down, Swing, Fan, and Turbo for the AC.

Getting the hex values is very easy. Simply point your regular remote control towards the IR receiver and press the necessary buttons. The decoder will print out the corresponding hex values on the Serial monitor.

After getting the hex values, upload the code to the Arduino board for decoding the HEX values. Once you have uploaded the code, your universal remote control is ready to use. You can design and 3D print a case for it if you want to. Any kind of case that suits your requirements is fine.

Don’t forget to install the IR Remote library in the Arduino IDE before uploading the code. You can download the IR Remote library from the official website.

Installing Arduino IDE Software

First, you will require to Download the updated version of Arduino IDE Software and Install it on your PC or laptop. if you Learn How to install the Arduino step-by-step guide then click on how to install Arduino Button given Blow

Code

//For more Projects: www.arduinocircuit.com

#include  
 
int RECV_PIN = 11; 
 
IRrecv irrecv(RECV_PIN); 
 
decode_results results; 
 
void setup() 
{ 
 Serial.begin(9600); 
 irrecv.enableIRIn(); 
} 
 
void loop() { 
 if (irrecv.decode(&results)) { 
 Serial.println(results.value, HEX); 
 irrecv.resume(); 
 } 
}

Circuit Diagram for Universal Remote

Working Explanations

The project involves building a universal remote with the help of an Arduino board and an IR receiver. The working concept of this project is divided into two parts. In the first part, we decode the hex values for different buttons, and in the second part, we implement those values in our universal remote.

To decode the hex values, we need to build a small circuit consisting of an Arduino board and an IR receiver. We start by performing the circuit diagram for decoding and then point the regular remote towards it and press the buttons whose function we want on our universal remote. The decoder prints out the HEX values on the Serial monitor, which are in the form of hexadecimals. We need to convert them into decimals before uploading the code onto our universal remote. We can use an online converter for this purpose.

Next, we need to perform the circuit diagram for the universal remote. Once we power up the universal remote, the function will already be given to the various pushbuttons with the help of Arduino code. We can design and 3D print a case for the universal remote to give it a professional look.

Before uploading the code to the Arduino board, we need to replace the decimal places with our decimals inside the Arduino code. Then, we need to install the IR Remote library in the Arduino IDE, which we can download from the internet. Finally, we can upload the code to the Arduino board and start using our newly created universal remote.

Installing Libraries

Now when you are Ready to upload the code, to the Arduino Board you will need first to add the Following Libraries in Arduino, If you Learn How to add the library in the Arduino step-by-step guide click on how to install the library Button given Blow

• LowPower Library

Code

//For more Projects: www.arduinocircuit.com

#include  
#include "LowPower.h" 
 
IRsend irsend; 
 
const int b1 = 4; 
const int b2 = 5; 
const int b3 = 6; 
const int b4 = 7; 
 
 
int timer; 
int modeCounter = 0; 
 
 

void wakeUp() { 
 timer = 0; 
} 
 
void setup() { 
 pinMode(LED_BUILTIN, OUTPUT); 
 pinMode(b1, INPUT); 
 pinMode(b2, INPUT); 
 pinMode(b3, INPUT); 
 pinMode(b4, INPUT); 
} 
 
void loop() { 
 attachInterrupt(0, wakeUp, HIGH); 
 while (timer < 10000) { 
 
 if (digitalRead(b1) == HIGH) { 
 timer = 0; 
 delay(50); 
 irsend.sendNEC(16580863, 32); 
 } 
 
 if (digitalRead(b2) == HIGH) { 
 timer = 0; 
 delay(50); 
 irsend.sendNEC(16585453, 32); 
 } 
 
 if (digitalRead(b3) == HIGH) { 
 timer = 0; 
 delay(50); 
 irsend.sendNEC(16618093, 32); 
 } 
 
 if (digitalRead(b4) == HIGH) { 
 timer = 0; 
 delay(50); 
 irsend.sendNEC(16644103, 32); 
 } 
 

 delay(1); 
 timer = timer + 1; 
 
 } 
 LowPower.powerDown(SLEEP_FOREVER, ADC_OFF, BOD_OFF); 
}

Applications

1. Control multiple electronic devices using a single remote.
2. Automate home appliances and devices using the Arduino universal remote control.
3. Use the universal remote control as a learning tool to understand the principles of IR signals and how they are used to control electronic devices.
4. Use the remote control to create custom macros that can perform multiple functions with a single button press.
5. Modify the code to include additional buttons and functions for even more control options.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we have learned how to use an Arduino Uno to build a universal remote control that can send IR signals to various electronic devices. With the help of the IR receiver and transmitter, we can capture and send codes to control multiple devices using a single remote. This project can be further expanded and modified to include additional features and functionalities, making it a great learning tool for both beginners and advanced Arduino users.