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Wireless infrared communications links are quick, easy, and affordable with Fire-Stick II.

With Fire-Stick II and an infrared detector module, simple SEROUT & SERIN commands are all you need to create your own wireless infrared communications system between two microcontrollers....

Use the BASIC Stamp, PIC, and 8051 to transmit serial data by infrared with a single I/O-pin. The receiver circuit requires only an infrared detector module such as the Panasonic PNA4602M for serial data reception at baud rates up to 2400.

Sample BS-II Code For Receiving Serial Data:

baud  con  813       ' 1200 Baud, (NON-INVERTED)

start:
    serin 0,baud, [ wait ("A"), b0 ] ‘ Wait for ASCII letter A
    debug ? b0         ‘ Show value received in B0
    debug cr             ‘ Carriage return
    goto start            ' Loop

Receiver Circuit:

The sample code above requires only an IR detector module such as the (PNA4602M) connected to the Stamp I/O-pin 0 to receive infrared serial data.

Note: By using a synchronization or address technique shown in the receiver code sample above wait ("A"), you can force the receiving controller to ignore data not preceded by a unique address or synch byte. This allows selective control of multiple receivers from a single transmitting station. Much the same as addressing schemes with remote control encoder/decoder ICs, but considerably more flexible.....

The transmitter sample code below will send the synchronization byte (capital letter A), followed by incrementing numbers from 1 to 100. The debug screen (when used with the receiver sample code) will display the numbers 1 to 100 with a 1/4 second pause between each display update.

Sample BS-II Code For Sending Serial Data:

time   var byte
time   =   250
baud   con 17197 '1200 Baud,(INVERTED)
number var byte

begin:
   for number = 1 to 100
          serout 15,baud,["A",number] ' N1200 baud
     pause time
   next
   goto begin

Transmitter Connections to Controller:

Fire-Stick II has a 3-pin header that makes connection to the BASIC Stamp, PIC or other controller circuit quick & easy. Below are the simple connections required to control Fire-Stick II.

Figure 1: Fire-Stick II connection diagram.

Connections to Fire-Stick II:

GND Always connect this pin to ground of the microcontroller circuit you will use to control Fire-Stick II.

VCC (Output Only) Connect this pin to the microcontroller circuit Vcc only if you intend for the regulator on the Fire-Stick II to provide power to the microcontroller circuit. This pin is the regulated output from the onboard LM340 +5 volt regulator.

The onboard regulator of Fire-Stick II can provide up to 500mA. This can be used to power your BASIC Stamp or PIC circuit and the components on the Fire-Stick II at the same time from a single 9 volt battery.

Note: If you provide an alternate power supply for the microcontroller, leave the center pin (VCC Output Only) open or - not connected.

Serial Input From Stamp or PIC Connect the serial output pin from the microcontroller directly to this pin. This will be the serial data input from the microcontroller.

Fire-Stick II takes serial data, and sends it in the form of infrared energy modulated at 38KHz.

A two-stage transistor LED drive circuit mixes the incoming serial data with the 38KHz carrier to provide a modulated infrared data signal directly compatible with the infrared detector module.

Note: Power for the LED is taken directly from the unregulated input to the regulator. This must not exceed +9 VDC.

	Carrier frequency: 38KHz. (40KHz available on request)
	Maximum operating range: @ 9 VDC 40 to 60 foot (indoors).
	Maximum operating voltage: 9 VDC.
	Maximum recommended data-rate: 2400 baud.
	Minimum operating voltage: 7.5 VDC.
	Average current (continuous transmit): 30Ma @ 9VDC.
	Average Idle current (Not Transmitting): 6mA @ 9VDC.
	Peak pulsed current: 1A @ 9VDC.
	Infrared LED beam angle: 60 degrees.
	Infrared LED wavelength: 940nm.

Download Fire-Stick II documentation:

	Full color KIT assembly & operating instructions in .pdf format HERE
	Full color KIT assembly instructions in MS Word format HERE.
	Full color operating instructions in MS Word format HERE.