Thursday, March 28, 2024

Infrared Remote Control Timer

Dipanjan Bhattacharjee

Presented here is a infrared remote controlled timer circuit. The circuit comprises two sections, namely, the transmitter section and the receiver section. Fig. 1 shows the IR transmitter section. The astable multivibrator NE555 (IC1) is used to generate a 10kHz modulated IR signal. The output of IC1 is connected to the base of pnp transistor T1 via resistor R2. Two infrared LEDs (IR1 and IR2) are connected in series between the collector (via resistor R3) and ground. When switch S1 is pressed, the IR LEDs transmit the modulated IR signal of 10-11 kHz. This frequency can be changed with the help of VR1 potmeter.

Infrared Remote Controlled Timer Circuit

Infrared Remote Controlled Timer: IR transmitter section
Fig. 1: IR transmitter section

In the receiver section shown in Fig. 2, two photodiodes (IR3 and IR4) receive the IR signal transmitted by the IR transmitter. Transistors T2 and T3 amplify the weak signal. The amplified signal is filtered by capacitors C6 and C7. The amplified and filtered signal is now fed to the inverting input pin 2 of op-amp IC2 (IC 741). The output of IC2 is further connected to trigger pin 2 of timer NE555 (IC3) that is used as a monostable multivibrator whose frequency may be varied with the help of potmeter VR3.

Infrared Remote Controlled Timer: IR receiver section
Fig. 2: IR receiver section

Circuit operation

When switch S1 of the transmitter is pressed, the modulated IR rays are generated, which are received by photodiodes in the receiver section and amplified by the amplifier circuit. The output of op-amp goes low to trigger the monostable. Then high output at pin 3 of IC3 activates the two changeover relay RL via transistor T3 (BC548) for a preset time.

The on/off time can be set in the timer with the help of VR3 and C10. Switch S2 is used to reset the monostable. If you want to turn the appliance on for a preset time, connect the appliance via relay RL(a). On the other hand, if you want to turn the appliance off for a preset time, connect the appliance via relay RL(b). The timer can be reset by pressing reset switch S2. The circuit works up to 3 metres without using any focusing lens. However, you can increase the operating range by using focusing lens.


The article was first published in May 2003 and has been recently updated.

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