Adafruit pIRkey
Created by lady ada
Last updated on 2018-08-22 04:08:03 PM UTC
Guide Contents
Guide Contents
Overview
Pinouts
USB Connector
Microcontroller
Reset Button
DotStar LED
Infrared Receiver
pIRKey & CircuitPython
What is CircuitPython?
Why Does This Product Use CircuitPython?
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Getting Started
Step 0. Install Windows 7 Drivers
Step 1. Install Mu
Step 2. Plug in pIRKey and open Mu REPL
Detecting & Matching Codes
Adding Keyboard Output
Downloads
Files
Schematic
Fabrication Print
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© Adafruit Industries
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-pirkey-python-programmable-infrared-usb-adapter
Page 2 of 17
Overview
The pIRkey adds an IR remote receiver to any computer, laptop, tablet...any computer or device with a USB port that
can use a keyboard. This little board slides into any USB A port, and shows up as an every-day USB keyboard. The
onboard ATSAMD21 microcontroller listens for IR remote signals and converts them to keypresses, mouse movements,
or even USB serial output.
© Adafruit Industries
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-pirkey-python-programmable-infrared-usb-adapter
Page 3 of 17
Infrared is our favorite wireless protocol - no antennas, certifications, pairings, passwords, or special tools required.
Works everywhere in the world and very intuitive - everyone's got an IR remote in their home!
Our original
IRkey
(https://adafru.it/BhO)
was a small USB-pluggable microcontroller board with an IR receiver, an Attiny85
microcontroller and indicator LED. When certain remote control commands were received, the IRkey would send
corresponding keyboard presses. It was great,
but
was not easy to customize - you
had
to use the remote we sold it
work.
© Adafruit Industries
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-pirkey-python-programmable-infrared-usb-adapter
Page 4 of 17
The pIRkey is an improvement on our original IRkey product, by adding a p for python. Now that we have
CircuitPython available for the tiny ATSAMD21E processor, we swapped it for the ATtiny85, giving a huge boost in
power and a working Python interpreter on board as well. This means its super easy to reprogram, customize or adapt
it to whatever Infrared-reading needs you may have
© Adafruit Industries
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-pirkey-python-programmable-infrared-usb-adapter
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