What is this?
CoreIR is an ultra low cost IR timing gate transponder compatible with i-lap rc timing gates. Usually this type of timing system is used for RC car or drone racing to track how fast you can run laps around a track. Using cheap and easy to find hardware, we've seen builds as cheap as $3 per transponder!
Now with a detailed build guide!
What's inside?
CoreIR comes ready for you to input any 7 digit transponder ID you'd like, just edit the main arduino file's tx_id (CoreIR.ino) to set which transponder ID you would like to have. We have tested with a range from 1111111 to 9999999, but please be aware some id numbers seem to read/perform better than others!
Don't want to edit arduino files? Use the new CoreIR-Uplink desktop app!
Required parts:
- Arduino pro mini or pro micro (pro micro preferred)
- 9.1 ohm resistor
- npn transistor (2N222 preferred)
- IR led (TSAL6400 preferred)
- Arduino IDE 1.8.3 or higher
Testing:
You should see the following once you have built your tranceiver to confirm the code/hardware is working properly...
- Once the firmware is flashed, the led on the arduino should blink two times per second
- If the arduino is blinking around 2x per second, then the code is running correctly
- If the arduino is not blinking, or is blinking seemingly at random, the code needs to be reflashed as the upload failed (or there's a hardware issue)
- With the arduino blinking, point your phone camera at the IR led, the led should be emitting a purple hue
- If you see the purple color from the led on your phone camera, congratulations! Everthing is running smoothly.
- If you do not see any purple hue, but the arduino is blinking steadily, there is a hardware wiring issue or the led has been damaged, check your wiring.
Wiring:
