Simulation software allows us to make digital prototypes of electronic circuits to avoid wastage and damage to hardware components. It provides a cost-effective way to analyze the behavior and outcomes of the circuits. TinkerCAD is one of the most popular and easy to use and free simulation software. Learn how to make TinkerCAD circuit prototypes in this section.
With evolving technologies, many automation technologies have come up. Earlier LEDs and bulbs were limited to switches, but now you can control your devices while sitting in bed with remotes or your android phones. In this article, we will learn to control LEDs using IR Remote and Arduino on TinkerCAD software.
Software Requirements :
TinkerCAD :
TinkerCAD is a free #software that runs on a web browser to create 3D models and electronic circuit prototypes. It was developed by Autodesk and launched in the year 2011. Due to its simplicity, it has become a very popular platform for creating digital prototypes.
Visit the TinkerCad website and design your own circuit.
Components Required :
The following components need to be selected from the component list in the TinkerCAD circuit simulation -
Arduino UNO :
Arduino #UNO is an open-source microcontroller board containing a set of digital, analog pins, power pins, and interfaces for serial communication and USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports. Arduino boards are used to read inputs like light on a sensor and turn it into an output.
Buy Arduino UNO from here.
Breadboard :
They are basically a construction base used for prototyping electronic circuits. Breadboards allow us to make quick connections between hardware components, without soldering.
Buy Breadboard from here.
IR Remote :
IR (InfraRed) remotes are a handheld wireless device to operate other electronic devices. #IR remotes act as a transmitter that carries signals from remote to the devices it controls. It emits lights in an infrared range that corresponds to specific commands, such as power on, volume up, etc. The controlled device acts as a receiver. It decodes the infrared pulses of light and executes the command.
IR Sensors :
IR ( InfraRed ) Sensors refers to an electronic device that measures and detects Infrared Radiations.
Buy the IR Sensor module from here.
LEDs :
#LEDs ( Light Emitting Diodes ) are semiconductor devices that emit light whenever current flows through them. It consists of two leads - Cathode and Anode. Cathode lead is smaller as compared to the anode.
Buy LEDs from here.
Resistors :
#Resistors are passive two-terminal devices used to limit the amount of current flow in the circuit. They protect the sensor from the high electricity flow. For this design, we will be using 3 resistors each of resistance 220-ohm.
Buy Resistance box from here.
Note: We don't need any physical components to make this project. The circuit simulation is done using TinkerCAD circuit design software.
Circuit Connections :
Steps :
Anodes of the #LEDs are connected to pin 2, pin3, and pin4 of the Arduino UNO board respectively.
Cathodes of the LEDs are connected to a 220-ohm resistor which is further connected to the ground of the breadboard.
GND of the IR sensor ( middle terminal ) is connected to the ground of #Arduino UNO.
The power ( third terminal) of the IR #Sensor is connected to the positive power supply ( +5V ) of the Arduino UNO board.
The output ( first terminal ) of the IR Sensor is connected to Pin12 of the Arduino board.
GND pin of the Arduino board is connected to the GND of the breadboard.
Code
Working :
Once the connections are established and code is written in the code section of TinkerCAD, simulate the circuit design. Now, you are all set to control your LEDs using IR Remote.
IR Remote emits lights in an infrared range that corresponds to specific commands ( power ON / OFF ) while the IR Sensor acts as a receiver that detects and decodes the infrared pulses of light then executes the command.
Blue LED can be controlled by clicking button 1 ( ON ) and button 2 (OFF ) of the IR Remote. Orange LED can be controlled with the help of Button 3 ( ON ) and Button 4 ( OFF ). Similarly, you can control Green LED using Button 5 ( ON ) and Button 6 ( OFF ) respectively.
Check the Project Working video here - Controlling LEDs using IR Remote and Arduino UNO on TinkerCAD
Video By - Sri Harshita
Conclusion :
#TinkerCAD is a cost-effective way to analyze the output of the circuit before it is actually implemented. It allows us to create digital prototypes to avoid damage to electric components. For more projects through TinkerCad click here.
Controlling LEDs using IR remotes is the most basic home automation technology used nowadays. You can also control other devices such as fans, bulbs, etc using IR remotes.
See also: