HT IRLink with PF

[mattallen37]

I am having no success at getting the HT IRLink to communicate with the PF IR Receivers. Is there some trick I forgot about? I know it used to work, but it doesn't seem to at all now. I tried using something as simple as HTPFSingleOutputPWM(S2, PF_CHANNEL_1, PF_OUT_A, PF_PWM_FWD7); but the IR Receivers' lights didn't even flicker. And yes, I did remember to SetSensorLowspeed(S2);

[mattallen37]

I know the HT IRLink is transmitting, because I can see the IR with a camera. I also know that the PF IR Receiver is working, because it receives commands from the remote.

[afanofosc]

I will get out my IRLink and PF receiver for a quick test tonight but I'd be surprised if it doesn't work. But it is conceivable that I broke something somewhere along the line. Hopefully that is not the case.

John Hansen

[afanofosc]

I'm not sure what might be going wrong in your situation but I just tested my IRLink and the current test release of BricxCC/NBC/NXC and it worked great with my PF receiver/motors/battery box.

I ran the attached program.

pf2a.nxc

(2.4 KiB) Downloaded 269 times

John Hansen

[mattallen37]

Yeah, no response from that either. Again, I can see the IR from the LED. I guess I should call customer support.

[pepijndevos]

I remember reading something about the different LEGO sets using different frequencies for the carry signal. Not sure if it makes any sense in this case.

[mattallen37]

You are probably thinking about the RCXs. Other than the RCX 2.0, all lego IR devices have been 38kHz AFAIK. The RCX 2.0 used a 76kHz TSOP (IR Receiver), and I think the FW allowed it to optionally modulate the IR LED at 76kHz. However, it was completely backwards and forwards compatible with the 38kHz RCXs.

I don't know of any revisions to the PF receivers, and I am currently using one receiver from years ago, that has always worked fine with the HT IR Link (the other receiver I got new from S@H less than 5 months ago).

[afanofosc]

I guess you double checked the channel on the receiver (all the way up) and tried it with brand new batteries in the battery box? Maybe you could post a picture of your test setup? Mine had two small motors attached to the receiver, channel selector at the top, battery box with fully charged nimhs, IRLink attached to port 1 pointed directly at the receiver about an inch away. Not sure what else could go wrong with the device still emitting IR and the receiver functional when used with a PF remote but it not responding to the IRLink device.

John Hansen

[mattallen37]

I have two systems set up for testing. One of them has 2 IR Receivers, on channels 1 and 2, and a 7.2v RC battery pack for power. The other has one receiver on channel 1, powered by the PF AA battery pack with some-what low batteries. Both of the systems respond properly with the hand-held PF remote, so I'm quite sure that it is the IR Link's fault. I tried with the IR Link anywhere from 0 to 10 cm away, pointed directly at the top of the PF IR Receiver.

I too am at a loss. Probably the only way to tell for sure what the problem is, would be to use a logic analyzer on an IR Diode or transistor, but I don't have a logic analyzer.

BTW, what range works for you? To ensure reliability, I have always had to keep it within about 8 cm for PF and RCX (I don't have IR trains). It did work up to 15cm, but it got patchy.