IR Receiver VS1838B with ESP32

📡 What is an IR Receiver?

An IR (Infrared) Receiver module receives signals from an IR remote control (like TV remotes) and decodes them. It typically uses modulated IR light at 38 kHz.

The most common IR receiver is the VS1838B or HS0038, and it comes in modules with 3 pins:

• OUT (Signal)

• GND

• VCC (usually 3.3V–5V)

⚙️ How It Works

• The remote control sends IR light pulses in a specific pattern.

• The IR receiver demodulates the 38 kHz signal and gives digital output (HIGH/LOW).

• The ESP32 reads this pattern and decodes it into a code (usually hexadecimal).

🔌 IR Receiver Pinout

📦 Components Needed

• ESP32 Dev Board

• IR Receiver Module (VS1838 or similar)

• IR Remote (any remote like TV, DVD, etc.)

• Jumper Wires

• Arduino IDE

📚 6. Required Library

Install the DIYables_IRcontroller library:

• Open Arduino IDE

• Go to → Tools → Manage Libraries

• Search for: DIYables_IRcontroller

• Click Install

🛠️ 10. Common Issues & Fixes

Problem	Fix
No signal detected	Wrong GPIO or poor VCC/GND connection
Always same code	Remote not compatible or low battery
Codes change frequently	Use resultToHexidecimal(&results) only

 

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🎮 11. Projects Using IR Receiver

• IR Remote-controlled lights

• Home automation (TV remote → fan, light, etc.)

• IR controlled car or robot

• Media player navigation

• IR smart switch

• Educational quiz buzzer system

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🔀 12. Advanced Use Cases

• Control multiple devices (e.g., fan, speaker, lights)

• Build an IR signal logger

• Create a universal remote decoder

• Combine with DFPlayer Mini for a remote-controlled audio player

 

HOW TO OPERATE

#include <DIYables_IRcontroller.h> // DIYables_IRcontroller library

#define IR_RECEIVER_PIN 18 // The Arduino pin connected to IR controller

DIYables_IRcontroller_21 irController(IR_RECEIVER_PIN, 200); // debounce time is 200ms

void setup() {

  Serial.begin(9600);

  irController.begin();

}

void loop() {

  Key21 command = irController.getKey();

  if (command != Key21::NONE) {

    switch (command) {

      case Key21::KEY_CH_MINUS:

        Serial.println("CH-");

        // TODO: YOUR CONTROL

        break;

      case Key21::KEY_CH:

        Serial.println("CH");

        // TODO: YOUR CONTROL

        break;

      case Key21::KEY_CH_PLUS:

        Serial.println("CH+");

        // TODO: YOUR CONTROL

        break;

      case Key21::KEY_PREV:

        Serial.println("<<");

        // TODO: YOUR CONTROL

        break;

      case Key21::KEY_NEXT:

        Serial.println(">>");

        // TODO: YOUR CONTROL

        break;

      case Key21::KEY_PLAY_PAUSE:

        Serial.println(">||");

        // TODO: YOUR CONTROL

        break;

      case Key21::KEY_VOL_MINUS:

        Serial.println("-");

        // TODO: YOUR CONTROL

        break;

      case Key21::KEY_VOL_PLUS:

        Serial.println("+");

        // TODO: YOUR CONTROL

        break;

      case Key21::KEY_EQ:

        Serial.println("EQ");

        // TODO: YOUR CONTROL

        break;

      case Key21::KEY_100_PLUS:

        Serial.println("100+");

        // TODO: YOUR CONTROL

        break;

      case Key21::KEY_200_PLUS:

        Serial.println("200+");

        // TODO: YOUR CONTROL

        break;

      case Key21::KEY_0:

        Serial.println("0");

        // TODO: YOUR CONTROL

        break;

      case Key21::KEY_1:

        Serial.println("1");

        // TODO: YOUR CONTROL

        break;

      case Key21::KEY_2:

        Serial.println("2");

        // TODO: YOUR CONTROL

        break;

      case Key21::KEY_3:

        Serial.println("3");

        // TODO: YOUR CONTROL

        break;

      case Key21::KEY_4:

        Serial.println("4");

        // TODO: YOUR CONTROL

        break;

      case Key21::KEY_5:

        Serial.println("5");

        // TODO: YOUR CONTROL

        break;

      case Key21::KEY_6:

        Serial.println("6");

        // TODO: YOUR CONTROL

        break;

      case Key21::KEY_7:

        Serial.println("7");

        // TODO: YOUR CONTROL

        break;

      case Key21::KEY_8:

        Serial.println("8");

        // TODO: YOUR CONTROL

        break;

      case Key21::KEY_9:

        Serial.println("9");

        // TODO: YOUR CONTROL

        break;

      default:

        Serial.println("WARNING: undefined command:");

        break;

    }

  }

}