Summary of DIY remote control based on PIC16F628
This project is a DIY remote control system using a PIC microcontroller to control up to eight devices via radio (ASK) or infrared. Outputs can be configured as momentary or latched, with options for one- or two-button toggling. Transmitter and receiver channels, addressing, and output types are configurable. The Manchester-coded signal suits cheap radio modules or IR, and alternative MCU or encoder/decoder ICs are suggested if PIC programming is difficult.
Parts used in the 4/8-channel remote control project:
- PIC microcontroller (PIC16F630 or PIC16F676 or PIC16F628)
- Push buttons (S1–S8)
- Diodes (D1–D4, optional)
- Jumpers (J1–J4, optional)
- ASK radio transmitter/receiver modules or infrared LED/receiver
- Power supply (V+, 2–5.5 VDC for MCU; separate supply if V+ > 5V)
- Output relays or transistor drivers for channels K1–K8
- PCB or perfboard and wiring
- Optional encoder/decoder ICs: Holtek HT-12D/HT-12E, Princeton PT2262/PT2272, Motorola MC145026/MC145027/MC145028
Control up to 8 devices by this easy constructable remote control. It can work as a radio or infrared remote control, depending on the components. Each device output can be configured to be momentary (turned on while you press the button) or latched. Latched outputs can be toggled on/off by one button per channel, or turned on and off by two buttons per channel.
Try it now, before building! Click on the transmitter buttons with the green labels on the left and see how the receiver outputs (K1-K8) change. Change the number of transmitter or receiver channels. Switch the receiver output type between latched and momentary.
Containing a PIC microcontroller, the circuit is very flexible. You can decide which receiver outputs are latched and which are momentary. The Manchester-coded transmitter output is well suited for the cheapest ASK radio modules or for infrared control. The units are configurable to a unique address, which must match to control the devices.
Related project: Learning remote control receiver
Take your existing remote control and control everything with it. This receiver can learn codes from an RC-5 format IR remote control, and associate the buttons to different channels and actions.
Related project: 2^16 remote control encoder and decoder
If you have TTL signals to control remote digital output lines, please check this project instead.
If you have trouble with programming PIC microcontrollers, you can consider builing other circuits based on Holtek HT-12D, HT-12E, Princeton PT2262, PT2272 and Motorola MC145026, MC145027, MC145028 encoders/decoders.
4/8-channel V4.2 radio transmitter
The difference between the 4-channel and the 8-channel version is only the software inside. The 8-channel transmitter has one button (S1-S8) per channel. The 4-channel transmitter uses S1-S4 buttons to turn on, S5-S8 buttons to turn off channel 1-4 (use with latched outputs on the receiver). The D1-D4 diodes and J1-J4 jumpers are optional, and are used to setup the transmitter address. Higher supply voltage results higher transmit power, but V+ range is 2-5.5VDC for the PIC MCU. When V+ is higher than 5VDC, use separate power for the mcu.
Configure & download
What if you can’t get a pic16f630?
- use a pic16f676
- try a pic16f628, here is the modified transmitter
For more detail: DIY remote control based on PIC16F628
- How many devices can this remote control up to?
It can control up to eight devices. - Can the system use radio and infrared?
Yes, it can work as a radio (ASK) or infrared remote control depending on components. - What output modes are available on the receiver?
Receiver outputs can be configured as momentary or latched. - Can latched outputs be toggled by one button?
Yes, latched outputs can be toggled on/off by one button per channel. - How is the transmitter signal encoded?
The transmitter uses Manchester-coded output suitable for ASK radio modules or infrared. - Do transmitter and receiver need matching addresses?
Yes, units are configurable to a unique address which must match to control the devices. - What voltage range is supported for the PIC MCU?
The PIC MCU V+ range is 2–5.5 VDC; use separate power for the MCU if V+ is higher than 5 VDC. - What alternatives exist if I cannot program a PIC?
You can consider circuits based on Holtek HT-12D/HT-12E, Princeton PT2262/PT2272, or Motorola MC145026/MC145027/MC145028. - What is the difference between the 4-channel and 8-channel transmitter?
The difference is the software: the 8-channel has one button per channel, while the 4-channel uses four buttons to turn on and four to turn off channels 1–4; D1–D4 and J1–J4 are optional for address setup.
