Infrared receiver

🔴 IR receiver

By adding an IR receiver, you can control the device with almost any common remote — such as a TV remote you already own.

Most remotes operate around the 38 kHz frequency band. While many IR sensors and modules will work, a good starting point is the TSOP382 series (e.g. this).

📌 Schematics

Infrared schema

┌─────┐
│ VCC ├─ +3.3 V DC
│ GND ├─ 0 V DC
│     │
│ OUT ├─ Data
└─────┘

ESP32 schema

┌───────────────┐
│           VIN ├─ +5 V DC
│           3V3 ├─ +3.3 V DC
│           GND ├─ 0 V DC
│               │
│ Digital input ├─ Data
└───────────────┘

Logic level shifter schema

   0 V DC ────────┬──────── 0 V DC
+3.3 V DC ────┐   │   ┌──── +5 V DC
           ┌──┴───┴───┴──┐
           │ VCC GND VCC │
    Data  ─┤     ◄──     ├─ Data
           └─────────────┘

↔️ Logic level shifter

Most IR sensors are 3.3 V compatible, but some variants use higher logic levels (e.g. 5 V). If so, a logic level shifter is required to protect the ESP32. Unlike the high-speed SPI lines for the display, this signal is low-speed and single-channel — meaning almost any level-shifting method can be used.

🔧 Configuration

Data

Data-line for received signals.

Any digital input pin can be used.

Configure in secrets.h:

#define PIN_IR 1 // Receiver

Warning

Avoid strapping pins as this pin is pulled HIGH when idle.

🧩 Extension

Using the Infrared extension, the device can be controlled using a remote control.

Check out the Infrared extension for more info.

🚫 IKEA Frekvens

The device was originally designed with an IR sensor in mind, but the feature was never implemented in production. The unused hole next to C10 can, however, be repurposed for adding one.

🔗 Resources

External links for deeper exploration — provided for reference only and with no formal connection to this project.

• Adafruit: IR Sensor