Technical Information:

Device selection table

Hardware
Translator
WLAN
Ethernet
LAN Controller
LAN Controller XL
LAN Controller Multistream 16
Mediacontroller

Infared Codes

Software / Applications

IRTrans Hardware description

•  Atmel Mega32/64 Microcontroller. This Controller is the heart of the Systems. It analyzes IR Codes and sends the stored Codes. This is done without putting any load on the CPU of the host system. Microcontrollers are specialized Processors for Control- and Real Time applications. The Controller is clocked at 8 MHz and achieves about 8 MIPS. It has got 32K/64K Flash ROM program memory and 2 KByte/4 KByte of RAM.
•  IR Receive logic. The IR receive logic consists of a TSOP 1138 IR Receiver and decoder. This Decoder receives IR Signals with a Carrier of nominal 38 kHz. It works in the range of 30 - 56 kHz with good sensitivity. In the range of 36-40 kHz, which is used by most IR Remotes, the sensitivity is very good. A range of 10m is no problem with common remote controls. Compared to the very common TSOP 1738 Receivers the TSOP 1138 is able to decode pulses which are very short. This is needed to receive and decode RECS80 signals.
•  455kHz HF Codes. Some (few) vendors use an IR Carrier of 455kHz (The most popular is B&O™). For these codes IRTrans Modules with a different receiver and modified Firmware are available (HF versions). These modules can send all IR Codes, however, they can only receive 455kHz Codes. If all codes have to be received the IRTrans Translator can be used - it has got 2 IR receiver.
•  IR Send Logic. The send logic is built up by using a power Transistor and the IR LEDs. The IR LEDs are powerful types with a wave length of 950nm. To buffer the high current which occurs during sending (up to 1A) the systems has a 1.000µf Cap. The whole process of transmitting incl. carrier generation (15kHz - 1MHz) is done in the Firmware of the Microcontroller and is therefore very flexible - and does not put any load on the CPU of the host PC.
•  Firmware. All modules have got an integrated bootloader. This Bootloader allows later upgrades of the firmware of the modules using a small programm. When there are upgrades or bug fixes the firmware can be upgraded by the customer within a few minutes.
•  PowerOn Option. The PowerOn Option allows to switch on any ATX PC unsing a stored IR code. This is done with a supplied cable that can be connected between the power switch and the mainboard of an ATX PC. Compared to other systems using Wake On LAN or USB resume this system works very reliable with any PC - even if the PC is switched completely.
On USB Modules two IR Codes can be stored: One to switch on and another to switch off the PC.
All USB modules also support USB resume.
•  Serial Bus. The serial Bus to interconnect Controllers is realized using resistors and diodes only. It includes protection diodes for the Microcontroller and a 8 pin Mini DIN connector. The Bus has only a ground and a Data line. The protocol of the serial bus including clock and collision detection is coded in the firmware of the Microcontroller.
It can be used with baudrates off 4,800, 9,600, 19,200 and 38,400 Baud. Depending on the conditions the length can be up to 50 - 80m. Only digital data is transmitted on the serial bus - that makes it very noise insensitive.
Each module has got an unique address and can be addressed indipendently.
•  Assembly. The IRTrans are entirely build using modern SMD technology. This assures reliable operation and a very small footprint.
•  Certification. All IRTrans Modules are certified according to CE and FCC regulations and can be used worldwide.
•  Power supply. The internal power regulator forms the needed stabilized 5V supply. - Either from the USB / RS232 interface or using an external DC supply of 8-16V that can be transferred via the IRTrans Serial Bus (3 wire version). Depending on the mainboard an external power supply (plug type, 8-16V DC / 100mA) is needed.

View of the PCB of the IRTrans Modules

   
IRTrans USBIRTrans RS232