X5 Irda

goodguy20k · 11-30-04, 01:55 PM

Howdy everyone! I just spent this morning on my old Axim X5 Basic. I started with some audio investigation, but looked in to the IRDA after a bit. I found out what the built in IRDA block is. It's here:
http://we.home.agilent.com/cgi-bin/b...OUNTRY_CODE=US
, for anyone interested. Also, the datasheet is here:
http://cp.literature.agilent.com/lit...988-8581EN.pdf
The datasheet has the internal scheimatic. It shows that the chip takes 20mA and the range is 50cm. I'm hoping this info will help people out there figure out a way to add a better IR LED so people can FINALLY control those TVs, VCRs, DVD players, etc. from their chairs and NOT from two feet away. Hope this helps someone!

goodguy20k · 11-30-04, 04:26 PM

Well, hardware isn't exactly my thing, but my brother's great at it. We're looking in to getting a bigger IR LED from like RadioShack. It looks like we'll need a couple of transisters, a resister, and the LED. One tran. for the LED driver, the other tran. for the 'Shutdown' function, and the resister for correct power supply to the LED. If our dad ok the project, I'll try and get photos of the project along with the results.

goodguy20k · 11-30-04, 06:02 PM

You know, I would think some of you would be interested in this, but you're all silent. Maybe y'all are shocked and speachles...

12-01-04, 02:06 PM

I am looking forward to your findings!

RobertCF · 12-01-04, 05:54 PM

There are already companies who've produced better IRs that you can attach to PocketPCs. One utilizes a CF card, another uses a cute little device that plugs into your headphone jack and is evidently VERY powerful.

12-01-04, 06:47 PM

Find me the one that plugs in the headphone jack!! I gotta see this... :)

KLappDOgg · 12-01-04, 06:49 PM

That one does not work with the X5. Cant remember the name but it says on the website that it does not work with X5.

goodguy20k · 12-01-04, 07:46 PM

Besides, you'd lose your CF slot or your head phone jack. This way, if you're willing to do a little soldering, you can boost your IR by default.

RobertCF · 12-02-04, 09:20 AM

Total Remote DOES support X5.

http://www.griffintechnology.com/sup...ote/tr-019.php

You'll notice that version 2.2 does, in fact, support the X5 but only up to 10 feet. But that's a lot better than the 5cm you get without the Total Remote

goodguy20k · 12-02-04, 01:08 PM

The best you can get out of the default IR port is 50cm, that's 19.69in, or 1.64ft. That's it's physical limits. No software could make the hardware exceed that. There's no way to tell the CPU to output higher voltages, and even if you could, you'd blow the IR block. The best way would be to get an IR LED that takes the same current and voltage, but higher range. RadioShack (RS) carries them for a couple bucks. I'm gonna go for more and throw in a couple of RS transisters to perform the shutdown function to save power and supply good clean power to the LED.

RobertCF · 12-03-04, 05:21 PM

....I was suggesting to him the Total Remote, which is a software AND hardware combination. The stronger IR is a littel device that plugs into the headphone jack. The software talks to it and utilizes the juice going to the headphone jack to power the IR. :approve:

goodguy20k · 12-03-04, 07:41 PM

Well, from their site, I got the impression that the software was X5 compatible, but not the headphone IR thingy.(technical term... ;-) ) That's why I mentioned the X5 IR range. If the headphone thing did work with the X5, it might be pretty good. I don't know.

12-03-04, 09:32 PM

be interesting to see how you do, i have always been interested in the ultramote cf extender to use with pdawin but now that i have an x50v i dont need an extender, i get around 18 ft with the x50v :)