Published June 22, 2021 © GPL3+

Infrared Remote Decoder/Tester

A simple decoder or tester for infrared remote controls. Great for obtaining the command code for each button on the remote.

IntermediateFull instructions provided8 hours1,778

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Microchip ATtiny1614 Microprocessor

WH1202 2-Line, 12-Digit LCD display

LM1117-5

SOT-223 5V regulator

Tactile Switch, Top Actuated

13mm shaft with button top

Passive Components

2 x 0.1uF 0805 capacitors 1 x 220uF 10V 7343 tantalum capacitor 1 x 330 ohm 0805 resistor 1 x 10K 3x3mm SMD trimpot

IR sensor

Search for "Universal IR infrared receiver with metal case" on eBay

Software apps and online services

Arduino IDE

Hand tools and fabrication machines

Soldering iron (generic)

3D Printer (generic)

Story

Going through boxes of junk that had been collected over a number of years, I came across dozens of infrared remote controls from various VCR's, TVs, LED strips etc. I thought I might keep some for say controlling a robotic car or other such projects. I needed a way of not only testing these remotes but also obtaining the command codes for each of their buttons.

This build is a simple decoder and tester for infrared remote controls. It uses a cheap ATtiny1614 microprocessor, a IR receiver that was pulled off a DVD player and a 12 character by 2 line display that was purchased from some Rockby Electronics sale. (WH1202A)

Demonstration

Demonstration of final decoder/tester

3D printing

The STL files are included. Either take these to a 3D print shop or if you have your own printer, run them through your slicing software. I used a 0.2mm layer height with no supports.

Drill out the PCB supports with a 2.5mm drill and create a thread with a 3mm tap.

Make sure the top fits snugly onto the bottom. You might need to do some filing if it is too tight.

The circuit

The circuit is very simple. It includes a 5V regulator allowing it to be powered by a 7-12V power brick. There is a tactile push switch that the software uses to show the raw unencoded data when pressed and the encoded data when released.

Schematic of the Infrared Remote Decoder/Tester

The PCB

As the ATtiny1614 is only available in a SMD package, the PCB uses SMD packages through-out.

I have included the Eagle files in case you want to get the board commercially made or do as I did and make it yourself. I used the Toner method.

PCB uses SMD components

Building the unit

Start by adding the SMD components. I find it easier to use solder paste rather than use solder from a reel when soldering SMD components.

Add the links if your board is single sided.

Add SMD components and links

Next add the headers. If you use headers on a single sided board, here is the method I use to add them.

How to add pin headers to the copper side of single-sided PCB

Place header on PCB with longer pin side down, solder pins, push black plastic down towards the PCB.

I add a dab of red paint on the UPDI header's VCC pin and gray paint on the UPDI pin. This makes it easier to ensure the UPDI programmer is correctly connected.

Add headers to copper side of board.

To support the LCD display, add some packing to the top side of the board between the board and display. The WH1202A came with a 0.05in (1.27mm) male pin header. I purchased a 1.27mm female pin header from eBay which is mounted on the PCB allowing the LCD display to be removed.

Add the tactile push switch. Use super glue to glue on the button cap. Be carefully not to let the glue run down the shaft and into the switch.

Finally add the IR receiver.

Add spacers and top-side components

Screw in the board using 4off 6mm M3 screws. Add the DC power socket to the bottom part of the case and connect it to the board. Make sure you get the polarity correct.

Add to case and wire power connector

Programming

Unlike the earlier ATtiny series such as the ATtiny85, the ATtiny1614 uses the RESET pin to program the CPU. To program it you need a UPDI programmer. I made one using a Arduino Nano. You can find complete build instructions at Create Your Own UPDI Programmer. It also contains the instructions for adding the megaTinyCore boards to your IDE.

My home-made UPDI programmer

Once the board has been installed in the IDE, select it from the Tools menu.

Select the Attiny1614 board in your IDE

Select the ATtiny1614 board in your IDE

Select the Chip to ATtiny1614 and set the clock speed to 16MHz and set the COM port to that which the Arduino Nano is connected to.

The Programmer needs to be set to jtag2updi (megaTinyCore).

Open the sketch and upload it to the ATtiny1614.

Conclusion

This tester does a great job on NEC and SONY remotes. Some remotes, while operational good, fail to be decoded because either they use a unknown protocol or the timing isn't quite correct. I have found this decoder very useful.

Schematics

Code

/**
 * ATtiny1614 Infrared Remote Tester
 * John Bradnam (jbrad2089@gmail.com)
 * 
 * 2021-06-21 - Initial Code Base
 * ---------------------------------------
 * ATtiny1614 Pins mapped to Ardunio Pins
 *
 *             +--------+
 *         VCC + 1   14 + GND
 * (SS)  0 PA4 + 2   13 + PA3 10 (SCK)
 *       1 PA5 + 3   12 + PA2 9  (MISO)
 * (DAC) 2 PA6 + 4   11 + PA1 8  (MOSI)
 *       3 PA7 + 5   10 + PA0 11 (UPDI)
 * (RXD) 4 PB3 + 6    9 + PB0 7  (SCL)
 * (TXD) 5 PB2 + 7    8 + PB1 6  (SDA)
 *             +--------+
 *             
 *             
 * BOARD: ATtiny1614/1604/814/804/414/404/214/204
 * Chip: ATtiny1614
 * Clock Speed: 20MHz
 * millis()/micros(): "TCD0 (1 series only, default there)"
 * Programmer: jtag2updi (megaTinyCore)
 * ----------------------------------------
 */
#include <LiquidCrystal.h>

//LCD Screen
#define LCD_RS 7  //PB0
#define LCD_EN 5  //PB2
#define LCD_D4 3  //PA7
#define LCD_D5 2  //PA6
#define LCD_D6 1  //PA5
#define LCD_D7 0  //PA4

#define SWITCH 6  //PB1
#define IR_REC 9  //PA2

LiquidCrystal lcd(LCD_RS, LCD_EN, LCD_D4, LCD_D5, LCD_D6, LCD_D7);

#include "PinDefinitionsAndMore.h"
#define IR_RECEIVE_PIN IR_REC 
#define DISABLE_LED_FEEDBACK_FOR_RECEIVE
/*
 * You can change this value accordingly to the receiver module you use.
 * The required value can be derived from the timings printed here.
 * Keep in mind that the timings may change with the distance
 * between sender and receiver as well as with the ambient light intensity.
 */
#define MARK_EXCESS_MICROS    20 // recommended for the cheap VS1838 modules

//#define RECORD_GAP_MICROS 12000 // Activate it for some LG air conditioner protocols
#include <IRremote.h>

char buf[100];
bool addressMode = false;

//--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
//Setup hardware pins

void setup()
{
  pinMode(SWITCH,INPUT_PULLUP);
  
  // set up the LCD's number of columns and rows:
  lcd.begin(12, 2);
  lcd.clear();


  // Print a message to the LCD.
  lcd.print("IR REMOTE");

  // Start the receiver
  IrReceiver.begin(IR_RECEIVE_PIN);
}

//--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
//Main program Loop

void loop() 
{
  bool decoded = IrReceiver.decode();
  if (decoded || ((digitalRead(SWITCH) == LOW) ^ addressMode))
  {
    lcd.clear();
    addressMode = (digitalRead(SWITCH) == LOW);
    if (IrReceiver.decodedIRData.flags & IRDATA_FLAGS_WAS_OVERFLOW) 
    {
      lcd.print("Code too big");
      lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
      lcd.print(buf);
    } 
    else if (addressMode)
    {
      if (IrReceiver.decodedIRData.protocol == UNKNOWN)
      { 
        lcd.print("Unknown");
        sprintf(buf, "0x%X", IrReceiver.decodedIRData.decodedRawData);
      }
      else if (IrReceiver.decodedIRData.protocol == RC5)
      {
        int sys = IrReceiver.decodedIRData.rawDataPtr->rawbuf[0] & 0x1F;
        int cmd = IrReceiver.decodedIRData.rawDataPtr->rawbuf[1] >> 2;
        sprintf(buf, "SY:%d CM:%d", sys, cmd);
        lcd.print(buf);

        int l = IrReceiver.decodedIRData.rawDataPtr->rawlen;
        lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
        sprintf(buf, "%d:", l);
        lcd.print(buf);
        int x = 3;
        int i = 0;
        while (x < 16 && i < l)
        {
          lcd.setCursor(x, 1);
          sprintf(buf, "%02X", (byte)IrReceiver.decodedIRData.rawDataPtr->rawbuf[i]);
          lcd.print(buf);
          i++;
          x+=2;
        }
      }
      else
      {
        sprintf(buf, "A=%04X %04X", IrReceiver.decodedIRData.address, IrReceiver.decodedIRData.command);
        lcd.print(buf);
        sprintf(buf, "D=0x%08X %c", IrReceiver.decodedIRData.decodedRawData, (IrReceiver.decodedIRData.flags & (IRDATA_FLAGS_IS_AUTO_REPEAT | IRDATA_FLAGS_IS_REPEAT)) ? 'R' : ' ');
        lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
        lcd.print(buf);
      }
    }
    else
    {
      lcd.print(IrReceiver.getProtocolString(IrReceiver.decodedIRData.protocol));
      if (IrReceiver.decodedIRData.protocol == RC5)
      {
        bool field = (IrReceiver.decodedIRData.rawDataPtr->rawbuf[0] & 0x40);
        bool ctrl = (IrReceiver.decodedIRData.rawDataPtr->rawbuf[0] & 0x20);
        int sys = IrReceiver.decodedIRData.rawDataPtr->rawbuf[0] & 0x1F;
        int cmd = IrReceiver.decodedIRData.rawDataPtr->rawbuf[1] >> 2;
        sprintf(buf, "CMD:%d", cmd);
        lcd.setCursor(6, 0);
        lcd.print(buf);
        sprintf(buf, "S:%d F:%d C:%d", sys, (field) ? 1 : 0, (ctrl) ? 1 : 0);
        lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
        lcd.print(buf);
      }
      else
      {
        sprintf(buf, "%02X", IrReceiver.decodedIRData.command);
        lcd.setCursor(10, 0);
        lcd.print(buf);
        sprintf(buf, "F=%X", IrReceiver.decodedIRData.flags);
        lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
        lcd.print(buf);
        if (IrReceiver.decodedIRData.flags & IRDATA_FLAGS_EXTRA_INFO)
        {
          sprintf(buf, "E=%04X", IrReceiver.decodedIRData.extra);
        }
        else
        {
          sprintf(buf, "A=%04X", IrReceiver.decodedIRData.address);
        }
        lcd.setCursor(6, 1);
        lcd.print(buf);
      }
    }
    if (decoded)
    {
      IrReceiver.resume();                            // Prepare for the next value
    }
  }
}

/*
 *  PinDefinitionsAndMore.h
 *
 *  Contains pin definitions for IRremote examples for various platforms
 *  as well as definitions for feedback LED and tone() and includes
 *
 *  Copyright (C) 2021  Armin Joachimsmeyer
 *  armin.joachimsmeyer@gmail.com
 *
 *  This file is part of IRMP https://github.com/Arduino-IRremote/Arduino-IRremote.
 *
 *  Arduino-IRremote is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
 *  it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
 *  the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
 *  (at your option) any later version.
 *
 *  This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
 *  but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
 *  MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
 *  GNU General Public License for more details.
 *
 *  You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 *  along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html>.
 *
 */

/*
 * Pin mapping table for different platforms
 *
 * Platform     IR input    IR output   Tone
 * -----------------------------------------
 * DEFAULT/AVR  2           3           4
 * ATtinyX5     0           4           3
 * ATtiny167    9           8           5 // Digispark pro number schema
 * ATtiny167    3           2           7
 * ATtiny3217   10          11          3 // TinyCore schema
 * ATtiny1604   2           PA5/3       %
 * ATtiny1614   2           PA5/3       %
 * SAMD21       3           4           5
 * ESP8266      14 // D5    12 // D6    %
 * ESP32        15          4           %
 * BluePill     PA6         PA7         PA3
 * APOLLO3      11          12          5
 */
//#define IRMP_MEASURE_TIMING // For debugging purposes.
//
#if defined(ESP8266)
#define FEEDBACK_LED_IS_ACTIVE_LOW // The LED on my board is active LOW
#define IR_RECEIVE_PIN          14 // D5
#define IR_RECEIVE_PIN_STRING   "D5"
#define IR_SEND_PIN             12 // D6 - D4/pin 2 is internal LED
#define IR_SEND_PIN_STRING      "D6"
#define tone(a,b,c) void()      // tone() inhibits receive timer
#define noTone(a) void()
#define TONE_PIN                42 // Dummy for examples using it
#define IR_TIMING_TEST_PIN      13 // D7
#define APPLICATION_PIN         0 // D3

#elif defined(ESP32)
#define IR_RECEIVE_PIN          15  // D15
#define IR_SEND_PIN              4  // D4
#define tone(a,b,c) void()      // no tone() available on ESP32
#define noTone(a) void()
#define TONE_PIN                42 // Dummy for examples using it
#define APPLICATION_PIN         16 // RX2 pin

#elif defined(ARDUINO_ARCH_STM32) || defined(ARDUINO_ARCH_STM32F1)
// BluePill in 2 flavors
// Timer 3 of IRMP blocks PA6, PA7, PB0, PB1 for use by Servo or tone()
#define IR_RECEIVE_PIN          PA6
#define IR_RECEIVE_PIN_STRING   "PA6"
#define IR_SEND_PIN             PA7
#define IR_SEND_PIN_STRING      "PA7"
#define TONE_PIN                PA3
#define IR_TIMING_TEST_PIN      PA5
#define APPLICATION_PIN         PA2

#elif defined(__AVR_ATtiny25__) || defined(__AVR_ATtiny45__) || defined(__AVR_ATtiny85__)
#include "ATtinySerialOut.h" // Available as Arduino library. saves 370 bytes program space and 38 bytes RAM for digistump core
#define IR_RECEIVE_PIN  0
#define IR_SEND_PIN     4 // Pin 2 is serial output with ATtinySerialOut. Pin 1 is internal LED and Pin3 is USB+ with pullup on Digispark board.
#define TONE_PIN        3
#define IR_TIMING_TEST_PIN 3

#elif defined(__AVR_ATtiny87__) || defined(__AVR_ATtiny167__)
#include "ATtinySerialOut.h"
// For ATtiny167 Pins PB6 and PA3 are usable as interrupt source.
#  if defined(ARDUINO_AVR_DIGISPARKPRO)
#define IR_RECEIVE_PIN   9 // PA3 - on Digispark board labeled as pin 9
//#define IR_RECEIVE_PIN  14 // PB6 / INT0 is connected to USB+ on DigisparkPro boards
#define IR_SEND_PIN      8 // PA2 - on Digispark board labeled as pin 8
#define TONE_PIN         5 // PA7
#define IR_TIMING_TEST_PIN 10 // PA4
#  else
#define IR_RECEIVE_PIN  3
#define IR_SEND_PIN     2
#define TONE_PIN        7
#  endif

#elif defined(__AVR_ATtiny88__) // MH-ET Tiny88 board
#include "ATtinySerialOut.h" // Available as Arduino library. Saves 128 bytes program space
// Pin 6 is TX pin 7 is RX
#define IR_RECEIVE_PIN   3 // INT1
#define IR_SEND_PIN      4
#define TONE_PIN         9
#define IR_TIMING_TEST_PIN 8

#elif defined(__AVR_ATtiny3217__)
#define IR_RECEIVE_PIN  10
#define IR_SEND_PIN     11
#define TONE_PIN         3
#define APPLICATION_PIN  5

#elif defined(__AVR_ATtiny1604__) || defined(__AVR_ATtiny1614__)
#define IR_RECEIVE_PIN   2 // To be compatible with interrupt example, pin 2 is chosen here.
#define IR_SEND_PIN      3
#define APPLICATION_PIN  5
#define TONE_PIN        42 // Dummy for examples using it
#define tone(a,b,c) void() // tone() uses the same vector as receive timer
#define noTone(a) void()

#  elif defined(__AVR_ATmega1284__) || defined(__AVR_ATmega1284P__) \
|| defined(__AVR_ATmega644__) || defined(__AVR_ATmega644P__) \
|| defined(__AVR_ATmega324P__) || defined(__AVR_ATmega324A__) \
|| defined(__AVR_ATmega324PA__) || defined(__AVR_ATmega164A__) \
|| defined(__AVR_ATmega164P__) || defined(__AVR_ATmega32__) \
|| defined(__AVR_ATmega16__) || defined(__AVR_ATmega8535__) \
|| defined(__AVR_ATmega64__) || defined(__AVR_ATmega128__) \
|| defined(__AVR_ATmega1281__) || defined(__AVR_ATmega2561__) \
|| defined(__AVR_ATmega8515__) || defined(__AVR_ATmega162__)
#define IR_RECEIVE_PIN      2
#define IR_SEND_PIN        13
#define TONE_PIN            4
#define APPLICATION_PIN     5
#define ALTERNATIVE_IR_FEEDBACK_LED_PIN 6 // E.g. used for examples which use LED_BUILDIN for example output.
#define IR_TIMING_TEST_PIN  7

#elif defined(ARDUINO_ARCH_APOLLO3)
#define IR_RECEIVE_PIN  11
#define IR_SEND_PIN     12
#define TONE_PIN         5

#elif defined(ARDUINO_ARCH_MBED) // Arduino Nano 33 BLE
#define IR_RECEIVE_PIN      2
#define IR_SEND_PIN         3
#define TONE_PIN            4
#define APPLICATION_PIN     5
#define ALTERNATIVE_IR_FEEDBACK_LED_PIN 6 // E.g. used for examples which use LED_BUILDIN for example output.
#define IR_TIMING_TEST_PIN  7

#elif defined(TEENSYDUINO)
#define IR_RECEIVE_PIN      2
#define IR_SEND_PIN         3
#define TONE_PIN            4
#define APPLICATION_PIN     5
#define ALTERNATIVE_IR_FEEDBACK_LED_PIN 6 // E.g. used for examples which use LED_BUILDIN for example output.
#define IR_TIMING_TEST_PIN  7

#elif defined(__AVR__)
#define IR_RECEIVE_PIN      2 // To be compatible with interrupt example, pin 2 is chosen here.
#define IR_SEND_PIN         3
#define TONE_PIN            4
#define APPLICATION_PIN     5
#define ALTERNATIVE_IR_FEEDBACK_LED_PIN 6 // E.g. used for examples which use LED_BUILDIN for example output.
#define IR_TIMING_TEST_PIN  7

#elif defined(ARDUINO_ARCH_SAMD) || defined(ARDUINO_ARCH_SAM)
#define IR_RECEIVE_PIN      2
#define IR_SEND_PIN         3
#define TONE_PIN            4
#define APPLICATION_PIN     5
#define ALTERNATIVE_IR_FEEDBACK_LED_PIN 6 // E.g. used for examples which use LED_BUILDIN for example output.
#define IR_TIMING_TEST_PIN  7

// On the Zero and others we switch explicitly to SerialUSB
#define Serial SerialUSB

// Definitions for the Chinese SAMD21 M0-Mini clone, which has no led connected to D13/PA17.
// Attention!!! D2 and D4 are switched on these boards!!!
// If you connect the LED, it is on pin 24/PB11. In this case activate the next two lines.
//#undef LED_BUILTIN
//#define LED_BUILTIN 24 // PB11
// As an alternative you can choose pin 25, it is the RX-LED pin (PB03), but active low.In this case activate the next 3 lines.
//#undef LED_BUILTIN
//#define LED_BUILTIN 25 // PB03
//#define FEEDBACK_LED_IS_ACTIVE_LOW // The RX LED on the M0-Mini is active LOW

#else
#warning Board / CPU is not detected using pre-processor symbols -> using default values, which may not fit. Please extend PinDefinitionsAndMore.h.
// Default valued for unidentified boards
#define IR_RECEIVE_PIN      2
#define IR_SEND_PIN         3
#define TONE_PIN            4
#define APPLICATION_PIN     5
#define ALTERNATIVE_IR_FEEDBACK_LED_PIN 6 // E.g. used for examples which use LED_BUILDIN for example output.
#define IR_TIMING_TEST_PIN  7
#endif // defined(ESP8266)

#if !defined (FLASHEND)
#define FLASHEND 0xFFFF // Dummy value for platforms where FLASHEND is not defined
#endif
/*
 * Helper macro for getting a macro definition as string
 */
#define STR_HELPER(x) #x
#define STR(x) STR_HELPER(x)

Credits

John Bradnam

145 projects • 178 followers

Infrared Remote Decoder/Tester

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Hand tools and fabrication machines

Story

Demonstration

3D printing

The circuit

The PCB

Building the unit

Programming

Conclusion

Custom parts and enclosures

STL Files

Schematics

Schematic

PCB

Eagle Files

Code

IR_Remote_Tester_V2.ino

PinDefinitionsAndMore.h

IRremote-3.3.0.zip

Credits

John Bradnam

Comments

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Infrared Remote Decoder/Tester

Infrared Remote Decoder/Tester

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Hand tools and fabrication machines

Story

Demonstration

3D printing

The circuit

The PCB

Building the unit

Programming

Conclusion

Custom parts and enclosures

STL Files

Schematics

Schematic

PCB

Eagle Files

Code

IR_Remote_Tester_V2.ino

PinDefinitionsAndMore.h

IRremote-3.3.0.zip

Credits

John Bradnam

Comments

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