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Wokwi lets you test an Arduino-style project with a virtual 38 kHz infrared receiver and a matching remote in a browser, without physical parts. Connect the receiver to the simulated board, use Arduino-IRremote or IRMP to read its NEC commands, and inspect the decoded output as you press keys or inject test values.
What Wokwi’s IR simulator includes
Wokwi is an online electronics simulator. Its dedicated 38 kHz infrared receiver has three pins: GND, VCC and DAT. The matching 38 kHz infrared remote has 20 function keys. Wokwi documents the keys as sending NEC-format messages, with address 0 for the listed keys.
The virtual remote and receiver are designed to work together in the simulation: Wokwi says to use the IR Remote to send infrared commands to the receiver. For code that reads those commands, the receiver documentation names the IRRemote and IRMP libraries. Arduino-IRremote is the commonly used library name; Arduino’s library listing describes IRremote as supporting infrared sending and receiving across multiple protocols and lists version 4.7.1 on its 2026 page: Arduino-IRremote library.
Set up an online Arduino IR test
- Open an Arduino project in Wokwi. Add the virtual IR Receiver and IR Remote parts using Wokwi’s parts interface.
- Wire the receiver. Connect GND to board ground and VCC to the board’s supply rail. Connect DAT to a digital input pin, and make the sketch use that same pin. The receiver reference identifies the pins but does not prescribe a board voltage or a specific input pin, so follow the requirements of the selected physical board when translating the circuit.
- Add a decoding library. Add Arduino-IRremote to the project, or use IRMP. Use the library’s current setup and receive API rather than an older tutorial’s code; Arduino-IRremote documents its current release and examples on its library page.
- Run the simulation and observe decoded data. Start the simulation, press a remote key, and check the sketch’s serial output for the received protocol, address and command. Keep the receiver’s DAT connection and the sketch’s configured input pin consistent.
- Test your command handling. Map one or more decoded commands to an output such as an LED, LCD or relay model. Confirm that the intended command triggers the intended response and that unrelated commands do not.
- Try edge cases. While the simulation is running, open the receiver’s context menu and manually specify NEC address and command values. This lets you test values beyond the remote’s listed keys, including commands your sketch should ignore.
What to check when no command appears
- DAT and code pin agree: verify the receiver’s DAT wire reaches the same digital input configured in the sketch.
- Power and ground are connected: check VCC and GND rather than assuming the signal wire alone is sufficient.
- The simulation is running: the documented workflow uses the virtual remote or receiver context menu while the simulation is active.
- The receive code matches the installed library: use the setup and receive patterns for the version actually added to the project, particularly if adapting an older Arduino-IRremote example.
- Separate decoding from output logic: first establish that a command is received and printed; then test the code that maps it to an LED or other output.
What the simulation can—and cannot—establish
Wokwi can help verify the sketch’s handling of the virtual receiver’s NEC messages, including command mapping and responses to manually supplied address and command values. It does not establish that a particular physical remote will transmit the same codes, or that a real receiver module, wiring arrangement or board will behave identically. Treat the virtual test as a way to debug program logic, then verify the completed circuit with its actual parts.
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- ❃❃Dynamic current: 3-5mA
- ❃❃Note： not included battery (you can use the CR2025 )
- ❃❃Product detailed size: remote control 85 x 40mm line length about 175mm
- ❃❃Effective life: 20,000 times
- ❃❃ for Arduino suite by ultrathin Mini infrared wireless remote control infrared remote control and 38 KHZ infrared receiving module.
Moving from Wokwi to physical hardware
A physical version needs a 38 kHz IR receiver module, an IR remote and an Arduino-compatible board. Replace the virtual receiver and remote with those components, preserve the signal-pin assignment in the sketch, and check the real module’s pinout and electrical requirements before connecting power. Do not assume every receiver module has the same pin order or supply specifications just because it provides the same general function.
Test the physical remote with the receiver before relying on command values from Wokwi. The simulated remote’s documented keys use NEC encoding and address 0; a different remote may use different codes or a different protocol. Update the sketch’s command handling based on what the physical setup actually receives.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Master the Art of Soldering with IR Technology – Build your own infrared device while refining your soldering technique. (Note: Soldering iron required for assembly, not included. This device is not capable of emitting radio frequency energy).
- Optical Control & Pulse Cloning – Use the integrated infrared (IR) transmitter and receiver alongside our provided code to capture light-based pulses from existing remotes and build your own custom optical controller.
- Tactile 4x4 Matrix Keypad – Features a full 16-button programmable keypad, providing a professional interface for calculators, security systems, or game controls. (Note: Requires external microcontroller, not included).
- Effortless Shield Connection – Designed to mount directly onto an amomii ONE or Arduino UNO. Get your project up and running quickly with our ready-to-use software and pre-written library support for optical sensors.
- Exclusive amomii Blink OLED Included – Comes with a high-contrast OLED screen for displaying data, menus, and animations, ensuring your project provides clear visual feedback.
Rank #4
- Product Name : Infrared Remote Control Receiver Module;Model Number : VS1838B;Working Voltage :
- 2.7V to 5.5V Reception Distance : 18M;Reception Angle : ± 45 Degree;Low Level Voltage : 0.4V
- High Level Voltage : 4.5V;Body Size : 7 x 7 x 5mm / 0.27" x 0.27" x 0.2"(L*W*T);Pin Length :
- 22.5mm / 0.88" Pitch : 2mm / 0.08";Material : Plastic, Alloy;Color : Black, Silver Tone
- Weight : 6g;Package Content : 10 x Infrared Remote Control Receiver Modules
Rank #3
- The infrared transmitter module is directly transmitted by a single tube, and the waveform needs to be modulated by the program.
- Adopt 1838 remote control receiver with high sensitivity.
- with the emission signal indicator LED, easy to observe and debug.
- Can be used for remoter control,Can be compatible with wrobot digital 38KHz IR transmitter sensor.
- Widely used in infrared communication, infrared remote control, apply to a variety of platforms including for Raspberry pi/51/AVR/ARM.
Rank #2
- Advanced Starter Kit with 30 Projects: Move beyond blinking LEDs. This complete electronics kit guides beginners from basic circuits to IoT, automation and interactive design through 30 hands-on electronics projects compatible with Arduino IDE.
- 190+ Components: This electronics kit includes the key modules that elevate your projects: a 9g Servo Motor for precise angle control, a DC Motor with Fan for motion, an IR Receiver & Remote for wireless control, an 8x8 LED Matrix for displaying graphics, and LM35 Temperature & Sound Sensors to sense the environment.
- Learn the "Why" Behind the "How": The detailed guides explain circuit principles and coding logic for Arduino IDE. Learn the "why" behind each project to build transferable electronics and programming skills.
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