farther IR detection?

Jayguy5000

how can I accomplish farther LED detection that with what comes with the bs2 kit? I see that radio shack sells some high power IR LED's..could I use those with the bs2 or not compatible? I am trying to reach distances of 36 inches. meaning with the simple program on the bs2 I could hold my hand 36'' from the IR LED and It would detect it and do whatever the program called for. So how can I achieve this distance of detection?

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Actually I think Im going to add the whiskers to my tank and let it roam, just need to figure out where.

Mike Green

There's a Parallax tutorial called "Robotics with the BoeBot" that you may already have that discusses IR distance detection using a BOE (chapters 7 and 8). Making a collimator (a short opaque tube) for both the IR emitter (like Parallax already sells) and the IR detector helps get better range by blocking outside light better.

allanlane5

The IR light has to 'bounce' off whatever you're aiming it at, and be recieved by an IR detector module with sufficient intensity to trigger it.

As long as you don't leave "on" the IR LED (in other words, use it with "FREQOUT IR_Pin, 38500"), you might be able to extend the distance a little -- but 3 feet is pretty long. The "Ping" module will work out to 10 feet, that might be a better choice.

Dgswaner

I really don't think that range is possible, at least with reliability. if you want extended IR Range I think you should look at the sharp IR sensors, They employ the same concept as the IR LED/detector but use optics to get the range. They are a little more tricky to connect but they work quite well. and are reasonably priced.

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"A complex design is the sign of an inferior designer." - Jamie Hyneman, Myth Buster

DGSwaner

tedbeau

You might consider one of these.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170180171809&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=007

They claim a range up to 1500cm (6 feet)
I bought one. I havn't had a chance to test it yet. I can let you know how it works.

BFM

Take a look at the (free to download) Handbook of Optical Through the Air Communications by David A Johnson. It is a very good guide to long distance optical transmission and includes lots of practicle information, including schematics. The address is www.imagineeringezine.com/files/air-bk2.html