Is it possible to improve IR sensitivity?

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Is it possible to improve IR sensitivity?

Rikkitic

Glurp
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Topic # 223852 20-Oct-2017 11:26

I am playing with a cheap Android box on which I have installed Kodi. Initially I had it next to my computer. Now it is next to the TV and I have discovered that the IR beam won't quite reach from the couch position. I have to get up to get a response from the device.

Is there any way to improve this? The distance is only about three meters. The remote only barely doesn't cover it. I programmed it into the Harmony, which has a better signal, but some of the commands don't work well. I have also tried an air mouse, but control is poor.

Could the IR LED be replaced or some other trick performed to get a stronger beam? I have an IR extender but there is no sensible location in the room for placing it.

I reject your reality and substitute my own. - Adam Savage

robjg63

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Reply # 1886839 20-Oct-2017 11:35

Two parts to that - strength of the signal from the remote and sensitivity of the IR receiver.

Sounds like you have isolated the receiver being the problem.

Maybe something like this might be your best bet:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Black-5V-USB-Adapter-Infrared-IR-Remote-Extender-Repeater-Receiver-Transmitter-for-TV-set-STB-DVD/32719266076.html

Needs a USB power supply, but I think you just stick the little thing on the end over the IR receiver on your android box and leave the bigger bit of it looking out to your lounge so it can pick up your remote.

EDIT: Oh - you already have an IR extender. Not quite sure how you cant use that. Also just remembered I had an apple TV that seemed to start having issues with the remote not working properly - it had been working fine. Took it back and got a replacement. Same problem. I realised that I had moved the apple TV unit recently so it was closer to a clock radio I had nearby. Moved the apple TV away from that and the remote worked fine. Maybe just try moving the android box around and away from any other devices just to check they arent interfering.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

elpenguino

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Reply # 1887626 22-Oct-2017 00:19

Sometimes a craftily placed reflective surface like a picture frame can give you some 'bounce' but yeah, sometimes you just have to lie there and pop your arm up like periscope :-)

1st world problems.

Don't forget you can use your phone or other digital camera as an IR tester so you can see if you are improving the amount of received light with your experiments.

SATTV

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Reply # 1887646 22-Oct-2017 08:15

I had exactly the same issue.

The Harmony remote does help but I used this to fix.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/38Khz-Infrared-IR-Blaster-Remote-Control-Receiver-3-5mm-Extension-Cable-1-5m/32816118451.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.1.Q6u0gG&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_4_10152_10065_10151_10068_10344_10345_10342_10343_10340_10341_10540_10307_10060_10155_10154_10056_10055_10054_10539_10538_10537_10059_10536_10534_10533_100031_10099_10103_10102_5590020_10052_5640020_10053_10107_10050_10142_10051_10084_10083_5370020_10080_10082_10081_10110_10175_10111_10112_10113_10114_10312_10313_10314_10078_10079_10073,searchweb201603_30,ppcSwitch_5&btsid=68c1624d-cb7c-452e-84cf-f89d87ba6ef0&algo_expid=dd4aa7f8-194a-4521-8b1f-8575232b0e3f-0&algo_pvid=dd4aa7f8-194a-4521-8b1f-8575232b0e3f

My Android box has a 3.5mm socket for IR Blaster so was nice and easy.

I just put it next to the box and it works fine, you cant see it.

John

I know enough to be dangerous