🔦 Level 2 – Sensors & IR Control

Project 2.7: "Advanced Remote Control"

🚀 Project 2.7 – Advanced Remote Control

 

🎯 What You’ll Learn

  • ✅ Goal 1: Use an IR remote to send commands to the robot.
  • ✅ Goal 2: Control RGB lights and buzzer with remote signals.
  • ✅ Goal 3: Create multiple operating modes and master control.

Key Ideas

  • Short definition: IR remotes send coded signals that the robot can read.
  • Real‑world link: TVs, drones, and robots use IR remotes for wireless control.

🧱 Blocks Glossary

  • IR receive: ir_rx = irremote.NEC_RX(pin, buffer) → Read IR remote codes.
  • IR code: ir_rx.code[0] → Value of pressed button.
  • RGB control: pwm2 = machine.PWM(machine.Pin(2)) → Control LED colors.
  • Buzzer: midi = music.MIDI(26) → Play tones.
  • Serial print: print("...") → Show feedback.
  • Loop: while True: → Continuous monitoring.
  • if/else: Decide action based on IR code.

🧰 What You Need

PartHow many?Pin connection
D1 R321USB cable
IR receiver1Pin 18
RGB LED1Pins 2, 4, 5
Buzzer1Pin 26

🔌 Wiring tip: Connect IR receiver signal to pin 18, RGB LED to pins 2/4/5, buzzer to pin 26.
📍 Pin map snapshot: IR=18, RGB=2/4/5, Buzzer=26.

✅ Before You Start

print("Ready!")  # Confirm serial is working

🎮 Microprojects (5 Mini Missions)

🎮 Microproject 2.7.1 – Multiple device commands

Goal: Control RGB and buzzer with different IR buttons.

MicroPython Code:

# Multiple device commands
# This program uses IR remote buttons to control RGB LEDs and buzzer

import machine, time, music, irremote         # Import libraries for pins, time, buzzer, and IR

ir_rx = irremote.NEC_RX(18,8)                 # Setup IR receiver on pin 18 with buffer size 8
pwm2 = machine.PWM(machine.Pin(2))            # Setup Red LED on pin 2 with PWM
pwm4 = machine.PWM(machine.Pin(4))            # Setup Green LED on pin 4 with PWM
pwm5 = machine.PWM(machine.Pin(5))            # Setup Blue LED on pin 5 with PWM
midi = music.MIDI(26)                         # Setup buzzer on pin 26

print("IR multiple commands ready")           # Serial start message

while True:                                   # Infinite loop
    if ir_rx.any():                           # If IR signal received
        code = ir_rx.code[0]                  # Read the first code from buffer
        print("Code:", code)                  # Print code to serial
        if code == 0xA90:                     # Example button code
            pwm2.duty(512)                    # Turn Red LED ON
        elif code == 0xA91:                   # Another button code
            pwm4.duty(512)                    # Turn Green LED ON
        elif code == 0xA92:                   # Another button code
            midi.pitch_time(440, 200)         # Play buzzer beep
    time.sleep(0.1)                           # Small delay for stability

Reflection: Each button controls a different device.
Challenge: Add button for Blue LED.

🎮 Microproject 2.7.2 – Remote operating modes

Goal: Switch between “Light mode” and “Sound mode”.

MicroPython Code:

# Remote operating modes
# This program switches between Light mode and Sound mode using IR remote

import machine, time, music, irremote         # Import libraries

ir_rx = irremote.NEC_RX(18,8)                 # Setup IR receiver
pwm2 = machine.PWM(machine.Pin(2))            # Red LED setup
midi = music.MIDI(26)                         # Buzzer setup

mode = 0                                      # Start in mode 0 (Light mode)
print("Remote modes ready")                   # Serial start message

while True:                                   # Infinite loop
    if ir_rx.any():                           # If IR signal received
        code = ir_rx.code[0]                  # Read code
        print("Code:", code)                  # Print code
        if code == 0xA93:                     # Button toggles mode
            mode = 1 - mode                   # Switch between 0 and 1
            print("Mode:", mode)              # Print current mode
        if mode == 0:                         # Light mode
            pwm2.duty(512)                    # Red LED ON
        else:                                 # Sound mode
            midi.pitch_time(523, 200)         # Play buzzer tone
    time.sleep(0.1)                           # Delay

Reflection: Remote can change operating modes.
Challenge: Add third mode for both light + sound.

🎮 Microproject 2.7.3 – IR Configuration

Goal: Print codes of all buttons to configure remote.

MicroPython Code:

# IR Configuration
# This program prints IR remote button codes to serial monitor

import irremote, time                        # Import IR library and time

ir_rx = irremote.NEC_RX(18,8)                # Setup IR receiver on pin 18

print("IR configuration ready")              # Serial start message

while True:                                  # Infinite loop
    if ir_rx.any():                          # If IR signal detected
        code = ir_rx.code[0]                 # Read first code from buffer
        print("Button code:", hex(code))     # Print code in hex format
    time.sleep(0.1)                          # Delay for stability

Reflection: You can discover codes of each button.
Challenge: Write down codes for at least 5 buttons.

🎮 Microproject 2.7.4 – Programmed sequences

Goal: Remote button triggers RGB + buzzer sequence.

MicroPython Code:

# Programmed sequences
# This program runs a sequence of RGB lights and buzzer when IR button pressed

import machine, time, music, irremote        # Import libraries

ir_rx = irremote.NEC_RX(18,8)                # Setup IR receiver
pwm2 = machine.PWM(machine.Pin(2))           # Red LED
pwm4 = machine.PWM(machine.Pin(4))           # Green LED
pwm5 = machine.PWM(machine.Pin(5))           # Blue LED
midi = music.MIDI(26)                        # Buzzer

print("Programmed sequence ready")           # Serial start message

while True:                                  # Infinite loop
    if ir_rx.any():                          # If IR signal received
        code = ir_rx.code[0]                 # Read code
        if code == 0xA94:                    # Example button triggers sequence
            pwm2.duty(512); time.sleep(0.2)  # Red ON
            pwm4.duty(512); time.sleep(0.2)  # Green ON
            pwm5.duty(512); time.sleep(0.2)  # Blue ON
            midi.pitch_time(440, 200)        # Play buzzer
            print("Sequence executed")       # Serial confirmation
    time.sleep(0.1)                          # Delay

Reflection: Remote can trigger a full sequence.
Challenge: Add second button for reverse sequence.

 

🎮 Microproject 2.7.5 – Remote Master Control (continuación y completo)

Goal: One button turns everything OFF.
Blocks used: IR receive, PWM outputs, buzzer, if/else.

MicroPython Code:

# Remote Master Control
# This program turns all devices OFF with one IR button

import machine, time, music, irremote        # Import libraries for pins, time, buzzer, and IR

ir_rx = irremote.NEC_RX(18,8)                # Setup IR receiver on pin 18 with buffer size 8
pwm2 = machine.PWM(machine.Pin(2))           # Setup Red LED on pin 2
pwm4 = machine.PWM(machine.Pin(4))           # Setup Green LED on pin 4
pwm5 = machine.PWM(machine.Pin(5))           # Setup Blue LED on pin 5
midi = music.MIDI(26)                        # Setup buzzer on pin 26

print("Master control ready")                # Print start message to serial monitor

while True:                                  # Infinite loop
    if ir_rx.any():                          # If IR signal received
        code = ir_rx.code[0]                 # Read the first code from buffer
        if code == 0xA95:                    # Example Master OFF button code
            pwm2.duty(0)                     # Turn Red LED OFF
            pwm4.duty(0)                     # Turn Green LED OFF
            pwm5.duty(0)                     # Turn Blue LED OFF
            print("All devices OFF")         # Print confirmation message
    time.sleep(0.1)                          # Small delay for stability

Reflection: Remote can shut down all devices at once.
Challenge: Add Master ON button to turn all devices ON together.

✨ Main Project – Advanced Remote Control System

Goal: Combine all microprojects into one complete remote control system.

MicroPython Code:

# Project 2.7 – Advanced Remote Control (Main Project)
# This program uses IR remote to control RGB LEDs and buzzer with multiple modes and master control

import machine, time, music, irremote         # Import libraries

ir_rx = irremote.NEC_RX(18,8)                 # Setup IR receiver on pin 18
pwm2 = machine.PWM(machine.Pin(2))            # Red LED setup
pwm4 = machine.PWM(machine.Pin(4))            # Green LED setup
pwm5 = machine.PWM(machine.Pin(5))            # Blue LED setup
midi = music.MIDI(26)                         # Buzzer setup

print("Advanced Remote Control ready")        # Serial start message

while True:                                   # Infinite loop
    if ir_rx.any():                           # If IR signal received
        code = ir_rx.code[0]                  # Read code
        print("Code:", hex(code))             # Print code in hex format

        if code == 0xA90:                     # Button for Red LED
            pwm2.duty(512)                    # Red ON
        elif code == 0xA91:                   # Button for Green LED
            pwm4.duty(512)                    # Green ON
        elif code == 0xA92:                   # Button for Blue LED
            pwm5.duty(512)                    # Blue ON
        elif code == 0xA93:                   # Button for buzzer
            midi.pitch_time(440, 200)         # Play beep
        elif code == 0xA94:                   # Button for sequence
            pwm2.duty(512); time.sleep(0.2)   # Red ON
            pwm4.duty(512); time.sleep(0.2)   # Green ON
            pwm5.duty(512); time.sleep(0.2)   # Blue ON
            midi.pitch_time(440, 200)         # Play buzzer
            print("Sequence executed")        # Serial confirmation
        elif code == 0xA95:                   # Master OFF button
            pwm2.duty(0); pwm4.duty(0); pwm5.duty(0) # All LEDs OFF
            print("Master OFF")               # Serial confirmation
    time.sleep(0.1)                           # Delay for stability

📖 External Explanation

  • What it teaches: How to control multiple devices with an IR remote.
  • Why it works: Each button sends a unique code; the program matches codes to actions.
  • Key concept: Inputs (IR remote) control outputs (RGB LEDs + buzzer).

✨ Story Time

Your robot is now like a smart TV 🎮. With the remote, you can change lights, play sounds, run sequences, and shut everything down with one button.

🕵️ Debugging (2 Common Problems)

🐞 Debugging 2.7.A – Command conflicts

Problem: Two buttons trigger the same device unexpectedly.
Clues: Wrong code values in if statements.
Broken code:

if code == 0xA90:
    pwm2.duty(512)
if code == 0xA90:   # Duplicate condition
    pwm4.duty(512)

Fixed code:

if code == 0xA90:
    pwm2.duty(512)
elif code == 0xA91: # Correct unique condition
    pwm4.duty(512)

Why it works: Each button must have a unique code.
Avoid next time: Always check codes with IR Configuration project first.

🐞 Debugging 2.7.B – Slow remote response

Problem: Remote feels laggy.
Clues: Delay too long in loop.
Broken code:

time.sleep(1)   # Delay too long

Fixed code:

time.sleep(0.1) # Shorter delay for faster response

Why it works: Shorter delay makes loop check signals more often.
Avoid next time: Keep delays small (0.05–0.1 seconds).

✅ Final Checklist

  • I tested each button and saw correct device response.
  • RGB LEDs respond to individual buttons.
  • Buzzer plays sound when button pressed.
  • Sequence runs correctly.
  • Master OFF shuts down all devices.

📚 Extras

  • 🧠 Student tip: Use IR Configuration project to map all button codes.
  • 🧑‍🏫 Instructor tip: Encourage students to design their own remote layouts.
  • 📖 Glossary: IR remote, code, PWM, duty cycle, sequence.
  • 💡 Mini tips:
    • Always print codes to confirm button mapping.
    • Use elif to avoid conflicts.
    • Keep delays short for smooth control.
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