IR - Controlled LED using UNIHIKER and Carrier Board

In this project, you’ll learn how to control an LED using an infrared (IR) remote with the UNIHIKER and its Carrier Board. This project is great for understanding IR communication and basic LED control. We’ll cover the hardware setup, software installation, and coding in detail. 🌟

Materials Needed:

• UNIHIKER Board: The main microcontroller board. 🖥️

• UNIHIKER Carrier Board: Provides additional connectivity.🔌

• IR Remote: Any standard IR remote control. 📺
• IR Receiver: Built into the Carrier Board. 📡
• LED: Built into the Carrier Board. 💡

• USB Cable: For power and data transfer. 🔋

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Step 1: Setting Up the Hardware

Connect the UNIHIKER to the Carrier Board:Ensure the UNIHIKER board is securely connected to the Carrier Board. The Carrier Board should have the IR receiver and LED already integrated. 🔧

Power the Boards:Connect the UNIHIKER Carrier board to a power source using a USB cable. The UNIHIKER Board can be powered through the Carrier. ⚡

Step 2: Installing Necessary Libraries

Open the Mind+ IDE and select the python.

Next, click on the Blocks and open the extension tab.

Select the UNIHIKER.

Then select the connect to the remote terminal and connect with the UNIHIKER.

Install the PinPong Library:📦The PinPong library is essential for controlling the hardware components. You can install it using the following command in the terminal:

pip install pinpong

Step 3: Writing the Code

Create a Python Script:📝create a new Python file, e.g., test.py.

Import Libraries and Initialize Board:🖥️

Start by importing the necessary libraries and initializing the board:

import time
from pinpong.board import Board,Pin,IRRecv,NeoPixel
from pinpong.extension.unihiker import *
from unihiker import GUI

Board().begin()

Set Up the IR Receiver and LED:

Define the pins for the IR receiver and LED:📡💡

ir1 = IRRecv(Pin((Pin.P14)),event)
np1 = NeoPixel(Pin((Pin.P13)),1)
np1.brightness(128)

Create a Function to Handle IR Signals:

Write a function to handle the IR signals and control the LED:

def event(data):
    my_variable = hex(data)
    print(my_variable)
    np1.range_color(0,2,0x00FF04)

Step 4: Running the Code

Upload and Run the Script:🚀Upload the below script to the UNIHIKER board and run it. You should see the LED toggle on and off when you press the corresponding button on the IR remote.

import time
from pinpong.board import Board,Pin,IRRecv,NeoPixel
from pinpong.extension.unihiker import *
from unihiker import GUI

u_gui=GUI()
u_gui.draw_text(text="UNIHIKER",x=50,y=100,font_size=20, color="#0000FF")
u_gui.draw_text(text="Carrier Board Test",x=60,y=130,font_size=10, color="#0000FF")

Board().begin()

def event(data):
    my_variable = hex(data)
    print(my_variable)
    np1.range_color(0,2,0x00FF04)

np1 = NeoPixel(Pin((Pin.P13)),1)
np1.brightness(128)
ir1 = IRRecv(Pin((Pin.P14)),event)

while True:
    time. Sleep(1)
    np1.range_color(0,2,0x000000)

Step 5: Adding Feedback with Serial Monitor 🖥️💡

You can add feedback to the display to see which IR code was received and the state of the LEDs.

u_gui.fill_circle(x=120, y=200, r=50, color="white")
u_gui.draw_text(text=my_variable,x=90,y=200,font_size=10, color="#0000FF")

Step 6: Adding Multiple LEDs

UNIHIKER carrier board has 3 Neo Pixel LEDs, so we can easily control all of them. Just modify the LED count as shown below.

np1 = NeoPixel(Pin((Pin.P13)),1 ) ----->   np1 = NeoPixel(Pin((Pin.P13)),3)

Complete Python Script:🐍

Here is the complete program.

import time
from pinpong.board import Board,Pin,IRRecv,NeoPixel
from pinpong.extension.unihiker import *
from unihiker import GUI

u_gui=GUI()
u_gui.draw_text(text="UNIHIKER",x=50,y=100,font_size=20, color="#0000FF")
u_gui.draw_text(text="Carrier Board Test",x=60,y=130,font_size=10, color="#0000FF")

Board().begin()
np1 = NeoPixel(Pin((Pin.P13)),1)
np1.brightness(128)

def event(data):
    my_variable = hex(data)
    print(my_variable)
    u_gui.fill_circle(x=120, y=200, r=50, color="white")
    u_gui.draw_text(text=my_variable,x=90,y=200,font_size=10, color="#0000FF")
    np1.range_color(0,2,0x00FF04)

ir1 = IRRecv(Pin((Pin.P14)),event)
while True:
    time. Sleep(1)
    np1.range_color(0,2,0x000000)

Conclusion

You’ve successfully built an IR-controlled LED using the UNIHIKER and its Carrier Board! This project can be expanded by adding more LEDs or integrating other sensors and actuators. You can also explore different IR codes and customize the functionality based on your remote control. 🎉

Feel free to ask if you have any questions or need further assistance! Happy building! 😊🚀