Infrared Proximity Detector

TSOP4830

Infrared - Proximity Detector

The circuits on this page are for an Infrared - Proximity Detector using the Vishay Electronics - TSOP4830 "IR Receiver Modules for

Remote Control Systems".

The detectors are designed for short range - reflected light operation but can also be used for 'broken beam' detection over short

distances.

This circuit was designed primarily for Between The Rails detection of model trains.

In this circuit the TSOP4830 Infrared receiver is used as a sensitive detector that does not require shielding from room lighting. The

detector will work under almost any lighting condition from complete darkness to full sunlight.

As a guide, if a TV remote control will work in a particular area then so should this circuit as the TSOP4830 would normally used in

conjunction with a remote control for a television or VCR.

This circuit will work in almost all light conditions but it can be affected by infrared remote controls. For its designed use this sould not

be a problem.

This circuit is more complex than typical infrared or visible light sensitive detectors at this site and elsewhere but will work in a wide

range of light conditions.

Quadruple and Octuple Detector Circuitboards

Click On The Images For A Larger View

Printed circuitboards and parts are available for this circuit.

Related Circuit: IR Proximity Detector - Oscillator Circuitboard With 1 Infrared Receiver

Infrared Proximity Detector http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/IrProximity.html

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Basic Infrared - Proximity Detector Circuit

The following schematic is for a basic version of the Infrared - Proximity Detector used on this page. The circuitboards offered through

this page have 1 LED driver oscillator and 4 or 8 detector circuits on them.

Datasheet (PDF) for the TSOP4830 at www.vishay.com

In the basic proximity detector circuit, the hand-held remote is replaced by an infrared LED driver that uses a 556 dual timer. The two

oscillators in the 556 simulate the pulsed carrier signal of the remote but without the information such as volume or channel that would

normally be sent to an appliance.

Basic Circuit Operation

The upper portion of the circuit uses two astable 556 oscillators, IC 1A and IC 1B to drive an infrared LED. IC 1A operates at

approximately 3Hz with a duty cycle of about 9 percent. IC 1B is adjusted to 30 kHz (the design operating frequency of the TSOP4830)

with a duty cycle of about 52 percent.

The 556 - LED driver circuit produces an approximately 10 millisecond burst of 30 kHz light 3 times per second via the infrared LED.


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The lower portion of the circuit is the IR detector, time delay and output section. The output of the voltage comparator, IC 3, produces

a steady LOW - open collector output when infrared light of the correct frequency is detected by the TSP4830 receiver IC.

When the IR Receiver Module receives a sufficiently strong 30 kHz infrared pulse from D1, its output, pin 3, will go LOW for the

duration of the pulse. (About 9 milliseconds.)

1.

When the output of the IR detector goes LOW, the voltage at the PLUS input of comparator, IC 3, will be made LOW and the

comparator's output will go LOW. As long as the infrared pulses are seen by the receiver module the output of the comparator will

remain LOW.

The 4.7uF capacitor provides a time delayed resetting so that the output of the comparator is steady between the IR pulses.

2.

When the 30kHz infrared signal is no longer detected, the 4.7uF capacitor will charge and the output of the comparator will go

HIGH.

3.

In typical circuits the output of the comparator would control a LED or drive a relay.

Depending on the circuitboard for the infrared proximity detector circuit, the lower portion of the basic circuit is repeated 4 or 8 times.

Typical Installation Of The Proximity Detector

The next diagram illustrates a typical model railroad installation method for the emitter and receiver for the proximity detector.


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The infrared emitting LED is mounted through a 3/16" hole drilled through the roadbed.

The LED is encased in a section of heatshrink tubing to prevent the light from reaching the receiver directly from the sides of the LED.

The top of the tubing is flush with or slightly higher than the top of the ties. The bottom of the tubing should extend about 1" below the

bottom of the infrared receiver IC.

The IR receiver module is mounted through a 1/4" hole drilled through the roadbed.

The top of the receiver module is at the bottom of the ties with the lens of the receiver facing the IR LED.

Across The Track Installation

The TSOP4830 Receivers are very sensitive and will need to be shielded from all sources of IR signal except the LED that is directly

across from the receiver when used in a 'Break the Beam' situation.


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Mounting of the emitter and receiver depends on the particular situation but many options are possible.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Quadruple and Octuple Infrared - Proximity Detector Circuits

There are two versions of the circuitboard for the Infrared - Proximity detector. The first version has a single output - LED driver and

four detector circuits while the second has a dual output - LED driver and eight detector circuits. The detector portions of the circuits are

identical.

Circuit Features

4 or 8 detectors per circuitboard.

IR emitters and sensors are not mounted to the circuit board for greater flexibility.

Can Be Used Under Almost Any Lighting Conditions.

Approximately 2.5 Second Output Release Delay. (Can Be Changed)

Open Collector Outputs Can Sink Up To 15 milliamps Each.

Each outputs has a 1K ohm, current limiting resistors that can be replaced with other values or a jumper if needed.

Quadruple

Infrared - Proximity Detector Circuit

Click On The Image For A Larger View

The following schematic for a Quadruple - Infrared - Proximity Detector and LED driver circuit.

The individual detector circuits are the same as in the test circuit above. The LED driver circuit is slightly different though, see the

"Carrier Frequency Adjustment Notes" section below for details.

The area inside the dashed, gray line is the portion of the circuit that is on the circuit board itself.

The full circuit schematic is too large for practical use so smaller "Terminal" diagrams has been provided that the user can plan, layout

and document their own detector systems.


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Terminal diagram showing two input and output connections.


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The following is a terminal diagram with no input and output connections shown. Print this diagram in the centre of a sheet of paper and

use it to plan and document a particular installation.

Octuple

Infrared - Proximity Detector Circuit


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Click On The Image For A Larger View

The following schematic for a Octuple - Infrared - Proximity Detector and LED driver circuit.

The individual detector circuits are the same as in the test circuit above. The LED driver circuit is slightly different though, see the

"Carrier Frequency Adjustment Notes" section below for details.

The area inside the dashed, gray line is the portion of the circuit that is on the circuit board itself.

The full circuit schematic is too large for practical use so smaller "Terminal" diagrams has been provided that the user can plan, layout

and document their own detector systems.


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Terminal diagram showing two input and output connections.

The following is a terminal diagram with no input and output connections shown. Print this diagram in the centre of a sheet of paper and

use it to plan and document a particular installation.


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Quadruple And Octuple Proximity Detector Notes

The following notes apply to both of the Infrared - Proximity circuit boards.

This circuit uses the TSOP4830 infrared receiver module in a manner for which it was not designed. However, for model train

detection the circuit worked very well and is able to sense the uncoupling pin of a Kadee® type automatic coupler.

The infrared LEDs pulse at a rate of approximately 3 times per second. The slow rate also allows the green LED D2 to be seen

flashing by the user but is fast enough for model train detection. The slow flash rate can also be helpful for trouble shooting.

The circuit as shown has an output release delay time of approximately 2.5 seconds. The delay can be made shorter by decreasing

the values of capacitors at the input of the comparators.

Resistor(s) R5 is given as 1K ohm for an infrared LED current of about 7.5 milliamps. This could be reduced to a minimum of

330 ohms for a infrared LED current of about 20 milliamps.

The infrared LEDs are shown wired in series as this uses the least amount of current. For between the rails type detection the

infrared LEDs need very little current as the distance between the LED and the receiver is short, therefore low current, series

wiring is sufficient.

The infrared LEDs could also be wired in parallel if R5 is removed from the circuit board and replaced with a jumper. Each LED

would then need its own current limiting resistor.

The circuit as shown is designed to control LEDs connected at the outputs through 1K current limiting resistors mounted on the

circuit board. The output resistors can be replaced with jumpers or their values changed to drive other devices.

For example; The Base of a 2N3906 PNP transistor could be driven through an external 3.3K resistor or a 4.7K resistor could be

mounted on the circuitboard. The transistor would be used to drive a low power relay. See below for a schematic of a relay driver.

There are other TSOP48xx series infrared receivers that operate at carrier frequencies between 30 and 56 KHz. that could also be

used with this circuit if the LED driver's carrier frequency was changed to suit. Also there are other receivers with different case

styles that should also work.

Using The Infrared - Proximity Detectors

The TSOP4830 has a wide field of vision and can receive light through the back of its case. In some installations it may be

necessary to shield the receiver from stray signals from other emitters.


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The infrared LEDs will have to be mounted in a light blocking sleeve. A section of closely fitting heat shrink tubing is ideal for

this purpose and in most cases does not NEED to be shrunk.

Moving the IR LED deeper into its heatshrink sleeve will reduce the sensitivity of the detector by reducing the amount of light

available without having to change the current through the infrared LED.

This system is not particularly suited to use in tunnels as the infrared may be reflected from the roof of the tunnel and into the

receiver causing a false detection. (Inside tunnels, an infrared emitter/detector pair across the track would be more suitable.)

The proximity detector could also be used across the track. In this case the output of the circuit would be LOW until and object

breaks the infrared beam. In this case, the time delay would be reversed causing the output to go HIGH about 2.5 seconds after the

beam is broken. (Decreasing the value of the 4.7uF timing capacitors would shorten the detection time delay.)

In the beam blocking mode, the distances can be quite large. For long distances it may be necessary to increase the current

through the infrared LEDs by reducing the value of resistor R5.

The proximity detector is not limited to model railroad use. Any object that reflects or blocks enough infrared light could be used

to trigger the circuit. The proximity detector could also be used by robots to locate walls or obstacles.

This circuit will be affected by some TV or VCR remote controls depending on their operating frequency and might not be

suitable for layouts where infrared controlled throttles are being used. On the other hand, a TV remote might be used to see if a

particular receiver is working.

Proximity Detector - 30KHz Carrier Frequency Adjustment Notes

The TSOP4830 infrared receiver requires a 30KHz carrier frequency from oscillator IC 1B. There are two methods that can be used

with the detector circuitboards to set this frequency.

METHOD - A uses five fixed resistors to set the 30KHz frequency of IC 1B. The reason for using this method is so that the user cannot

accidentally throw the oscillator out of calibration. Method - A will be supplied with each circuit board unless requested otherwise.

METHOD - B uses two fixed resistors and a 10K ohm potentiometer to set the 30KHz frequency of IC 1B. Method - B can be used if

the user has the equipment to set the frequency for themselves.

NOTE: - Assembled circuitboards from this site will be constructed using METHOD - A to set the carrier frequency.


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Complete Parts List

The following is a complete parts list for use with the Infrared - Proximity Detector circuit board. Mouser Electronics part numbers are

shown but the parts may also be available from other sources.

Part Number - Description - Mouser Part #

----- - Semiconductors - -----

IC 1 - LM556CN Dual Timer DIP-16 - 512-LM556CN

IC 11A, B, C, D & 21A, B, C, D - Comparators Lo-Pwr Quad Voltage - 511-LM339N

IC 2 - Voltage Regulators TO-92 5.0V 0.1A - 511-L78L05ABZ

IC 12, 13, 14, 15, 22, 23, 24, 25 - Infrared Receiver Modules 4.5-5.5V 30kHz - 782-TSOP4830

D 1, 11, 12, 13, 14, 21, 22, 23, 24 - Small Signal Switching Diodes 100V Io/150mA T/R - 78-1N4148

D 2 - Green 3mm LED - 859-LTL-4231

D 11, 12, 13, 14, 21, 22, 23, 24 -Opto Components Infrared LED 940nm Blue ColorLens - 638-IR204-A

----- - Resistors - -----

R1 - 100K ohm / 1/4 Watt Carbon Resistor - 660-CF1/4C104J

R2, 15, 25 - 10K ohm / 1/4 Watt Carbon Resistor - 660-CF1/4C103J

R6 - 2.2K ohm / 1/4 Watt Carbon Resistor - 660-CF1/4C222J

R3, R4A, B, C, D - (Per Method A) - Various - 1/4 Watt Carbon Resistors - Supplied With Board

R5A, 5B, 16, 17, 18, 19, 26. 27, 28, 29 - 1K ohm / 1/4 Watt Carbon Resistor - 660-CF1/4C102J

R11, 12, 13, 14, 21, 22, 23, 24 - 470K ohm / 1/4 Watt Carbon Resistor - 660-CF1/4C474J

R10, 20 - 4.7K ohm / 1/4 Watt Carbon Resistor - 660-CF1/4C472J

Calibration Method B 15K ohm / 1/4 Watt Carbon Resistor - 660-CF1/4C153J

Calibration Method B Trimmer Potentiometers 10Kohms 6mm - 531-PT6KV-10K

----- - Capacitors - -----

C1, 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, 13, 14, 21, 22, 23, 24 - Radial Electrolytic Capacitors 25V 4.7uF 20% - 140-XRL25V4.7-RC

C2 - Metallized Polyester Film Capacitors 0.001uF - 871-B32529C102K189

----- - Terminal Blocks - -----

Terminal Blocks - 2 Position Terminal Block - 5mm - 651-1729018

Terminal Blocks - 3 Position Terminal Block - 5mm - 651-1729021

Printed Circuit Boards And Parts For The

Infrared - Proximity Detector

The 4 detector circuitboard is 2.9 inches by 2.9 inches.

The 8 detector board 2.9 inches by 4.4 inches.

The 4 and 8 detector circuitboards have been commercially produced but have not been tinned.

Also See:

IR Proximity Detector Evaluation Kit


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Circuitboard Options And Prices

The IR LED and the IR receiver module will have 5" colour coded leads attached.

OPTION 1 - Circuitboards Only

1 - 4 - Infrared - Proximity detector circuitboard with no parts is 11.00 dollars US. plus postage.

1 - 8 - Infrared - Proximity detector circuitboard with no parts is 16.00 dollars US. plus postage.

OPTION 2 - Circuitboard With Oscillator Only

1 - 4 - Infrared - Proximity detector circuitboard with only the 30KHz oscillator installed is 14.00 dollars US. plus postage.

1 - 8 - Infrared - Proximity detector circuitboard with only the 30KHz oscillator installed is 19.00 dollars US. plus postage.

NOTE - The LM556 infrared LED driver oscillator will be calibrated before shipment.

OPTION 3 - Complete Kits

1 - 4 - Infrared - Proximity detector circuitboard KIT with all parts, including 4 IR LEDs and 4 IR receivers is 33.00 dollars US.

plus postage.

1 - 8 - Infrared - Proximity detector circuitboard KIT with all parts, including 8 IR LEDs and 8 IR receivers is 55.00 dollars US.

plus postage.

- If requesting kits, please ask for... -

KIT 1 - For the kits; To provide the needed accuracy of the IR receiver's carrier frequency the 30KHz. portion of the LM556 oscillator

can be installed on the circuitboard and tested before shipment.

- OR -

KIT 2 - If requested, kits can be supplied with the oscillator portion of the circuit not installed and with a potentiometer to set the

30KHz carrier frequency.

OPTION 4 - Complete And Assembled

1 - 4 - Infrared - Proximity detector circuitboard, ASSEMBLED and including 4 IR LEDs and 4 IR receivers is 36.00 dollars

US. plus postage.

1 - 8 - Infrared - Proximity detector circuitboard, ASSEMBLED and including 8 IR LEDs and 8 IR receivers is 60.00 dollars

US. plus postage.

Circuitboard Parts Placement Diagrams

Save and print these diagrams to aid in assembling the Infrared - Proximity detector circuitboards.

Quadruple Circuitboard Parts Placement Diagram

Octuple Circuitboard Parts Placement Diagram

Other Information

Relay Driver Output


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Red And Green Output LEDs

TSOP4830 Case Dimensions


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RR-CirKits TC-64 Connection

RR-CirKits "TC-64" Tower Controller Web Page.

Other references: -


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Ir Receiver Modules.

Voltage Comparators.

555 and 556 Timer.

Current Limiting Resistor Calculator information.

Return to the Main Circuit Index

Please Read Before Using These Circuit Ideas

The explanations for the circuits on these pages cannot hope to cover every situation on every layout. For this reason be

prepared to do some experimenting to get the results you want. This is especially true of circuits such as the "Across Track

Infrared Detection" circuits and any other circuit that relies on other than direct electronic inputs, such as detectors.

If you use any of these circuit ideas, ask your parts supplier for a copy of the manufacturers data sheets for any components that

you have not used before. These sheets contain a wealth of data and circuit design information that no electronic or print article

could approach and will save time and perhaps damage to the components themselves. These data sheets can often be found on

the web site of the device manufacturers.

Although the circuits are functional the pages are not meant to be full descriptions of each circuit but rather as guides for

adapting them for use by others. If you have any questions or comments please send them to the email address on the Circuit

Index page.

Return to the Main Circuit Index

20 May, 2009


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