Application Hint 36 Micrel Application Hint 36 Infrared to RF Data Link by Sean Montgomery System Overview The system described here receives data from an IR remote control and converts it to an RF signal. The RF signal is received and the data is demodulated and output. The physical interface of the set-top box is assumed to be microcontroller inputs. Introduction IR (infrared) remote controlled set-top boxes used for local satellite or cable television decoding have become commonplace in the modern home. Since many homes have more than one television receiver, a single set-top box is probably located near the most used television. Consider that it may also feed a second television located in another room where its IR remote control is unusable (see Figure 1). IR Receiver to RF Transmitter Figure 3 shows a simple circuit which receives an IR data signal and converts it to an RF data signal. INFRARED Remote TV O DI RA VS 5V INFRARED TX Data C1 4.7µF IR1 L1 15nH C2 2.5pF–6pF R1 220Ω TX1 Set-Top Box Feeds Both TVs TV Figure 3. IR Receiver to RF Transmitter Figure 1. Radio Link Between Rooms IR1 is a Temic TFMS2409 photomodule for PCM remote control; TX1 is a LPRS (Low Power Radio Solutions) LQTX433A-S 433.92MHz SAW-based microtransmitter module. An ideal solution is to replace the IR remote control with a lowpower RF (radio frequency) data link to overcome IR’s lineof-site restriction. Because it may not be practical to replace the existing IR remote control system, another solution is to create a RF data link that allows the use of the existing IR controller. Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the approach which is taken. The following test circuits will demonstrate the operation of this system up to the RF receiver’s demodulated data output. The IR data modulator and transmitter is not presented here. MICRF001 RF Receiver Figure 4 shows a receiver design based on the MICRF001 IC. Signal and no-signal conditions are shown in Figures 5 and 6 respectively. MICRF001 Whip Antenna SEL0 VSSRF RF 5V Low-Power Transmiter RF Receiver/ Demodulator IR Receiver/ Demodulator IR Encoder/ Transmitter IR IR 10nF 4.7µF SWEN REFOSC VSSRF SEL1 ANT VDDRF CAGC VSSBB VDDBB VSSBB CTH CR1 3.36MHz DO C1 4.7µF Receive Data 33nF Figure 4. RF Receiver with Data Output Infrared Remote Control Figure 5 confirms that the data is reproduced correctly. There is a 100µs delay from transmit data rising edge to receive data rising edge. Without a signal, Figure 6 shows output transitions corresponding to random RF noise received at the antenna. This output noise is typical of superheterodyne AM receivers without data squelch circuits. This output noise is expected to be at logic levels as a result of the receiver IC’s AGC (automatic gain control) and demodulation circuitry. Set-Top Box Figure 2. System Block Diagram QwikRadio is a trademark of Micrel, Inc. The QwikRadio ICs were developed under a partnership agreement with AIT of Orlando, Florida Micrel, Inc. • 1849 Fortune Drive • San Jose, CA 95131 • USA • tel + 1 (408) 944-0800 • fax + 1 (408) 944-0970 • http://www.micrel.com August 1999 1 Application Hint 36 Application Hint 36 Micrel Receive Data Receive Data Transmit Data Transmit Data Figure 5. Transmit and Receive Data Figure 6. Receive Noise with No RF Signal Since the noise experienced outside of the data burst is random, a microcontroller should consider it invalid and ignore it. If the microcontroller also performs other tasks, it may be desirable to reduce the number of interrupts (caused by noise) sent to the microcontroller by using the MICRF002 receiver IC instead of the MICRF001 (refer to “Application Note 28: Data Squelch Using the MICRF002”). The block diagram of Figure 2 represents a very simplified example system designed to prove the concept of an extended data link. A practical implementation would however require some kind of intermediate encoding such as the addition of some address or identification bits which would prevent incorrect codes being accepted from other low power RF transmitters. MICREL INC. 1849 FORTUNE DRIVE SAN JOSE, CA 95131 TEL + 1 (408) 944-0800 FAX + 1 (408) 944-0970 WEB USA http://www.micrel.com This information is believed to be accurate and reliable, however no responsibility is assumed by Micrel for its use nor for any infringement of patents or other rights of third parties resulting from its use. No license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent right of Micrel Inc. © 1999 Micrel Incorporated Application Hint 36 2 August 1999