Yes—a Raspberry Pi can receive infrared remote commands, transmit them to compatible appliances, or do both. Receiving and transmitting are separate jobs: you need the appropriate receiver and/or transmitter hardware, then configure the corresponding GPIO support. For ordinary remote input, Raspberry Pi’s kernel-based gpio-ir support is the simplest place to start; LIRC is optional for projects that need its extra sending or application-integration features.
Choose what you want the Pi to do
| Goal | Hardware | Software path |
|---|---|---|
| Receive remote button presses | A compatible demodulating IR receiver module | gpio-ir and Linux input events; configure mappings with ir-keytable |
| Send commands to an appliance | A compatible IR transmitter module or circuit | gpio-ir-tx or an appropriate PWM-based setup |
| Receive and send | Both receiver and transmitter roles | Configure both overlays and choose pins that do not conflict with other project uses |
| Use LIRC | Hardware suited to the chosen receive/transmit workflow | LIRC where an application expects it, a remote is unsupported by the kernel path, or its transmission workflow is needed |
The Raspberry Pi firmware documentation describes gpio-ir for receiving and gpio-ir-tx for bit-banged transmitting. Each overlay defaults to GPIO 18, but the pin can be configured. These are GPIO/BCM numbers, not physical header pin numbers.
Check the hardware before wiring
A receiver module is required to receive or learn remote commands. A project example from SunFounder uses an IR receiver module with signal, power, and ground connections; its example assigns GPIO 23 to receiving and GPIO 22 to transmitting. Those are example choices, not universal wiring instructions.
- Confirm the module’s pinout and required supply voltage in its own documentation.
- Check that it is a demodulating receiver module if you want to receive remote-control signals; a bare photodiode is a different component.
- For transmitting, verify whether the board includes drive circuitry and what GPIO and power connections it expects. Do not assume an arbitrary IR LED can be driven directly from a Pi GPIO.
- Use the intended Pi GPIO configuration and ensure the chosen pins are free for this project.
The overlays describe software configuration, not universal electrical limits for every IR board or LED. Check the specifications for your exact module.
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- 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.
Set up infrared receiving
- Connect the receiver. Connect its power and ground, then connect its signal output to a suitable GPIO input using the module’s pinout. GPIO 18 is the overlay default; another pin can be selected in configuration.
- Enable
gpio-ir. Add the overlay to the Raspberry Pi boot configuration and set its GPIO parameter if you are not using the default. Follow the current firmware README’s configuration syntax for your system. - Check for input events. The kernel decodes supported signals and exposes received keys through Linux
/dev/input/event*devices. Identify the device created for the receiver. - Map the remote’s buttons. Use
ir-keytableto inspect or configure the key map and decoding parameters. A received key can then be handled like other Linux input.
The firmware overlay documentation says the receiver input is active-low by default and allows configuration of the pin and polarity. If events do not appear, first recheck the module’s pinout, selected GPIO, overlay configuration, and polarity.
Set up infrared transmitting
- Connect a transmitter module or circuit. Wire it according to its own pinout and drive requirements, using a GPIO configured for output.
- Enable
gpio-ir-tx. Configure the overlay for the GPIO you connected; GPIO 18 is its documented default. - Send commands using the software your project needs. The overlay provides bit-banged IR output. If you need an application built around LIRC, use an appropriate LIRC setup instead.
Raspberry Pi documents gpio-ir-tx as a bit-banged alternative to pwm-ir-tx: it does not require PWM and can be used with onboard analog audio. That software distinction does not determine whether a particular transmitter circuit is electrically suitable for a GPIO; follow the circuit or module specifications.
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- 1838 IR RECEIVER HIGH SENSITIVITY: Features 1838 infrared receiver chip at 38KHz with center wavelength 850nm to 940nm, 20-degree emission angle, and detection range up to 1.3 meters for accurate signal reception
- IR TRANSMITTER WITH SIGNAL INDICATOR LED: Equipped with single-tube direct infrared transmitter and real-time signal indicator LED for easy observation and debugging of transmission status during operation
- 5V DIGITAL SIGNAL OUTPUT: Operates at 5V working voltage with digital signal output; connect DAT to digital output and OUT to GPIO port of your control device for straightforward circuit integration
- WIDE PLATFORM COMPATIBILITY: Compatible with Arduino, ESP32, ESP8266, Raspberry Pi, UNO R3, AVR, and ARM platforms for infrared communication, remote control, and obstacle avoidance applications
- 5 SETS WITH M3 MOUNTING HOLES: Includes 5 complete IR receiver and transmitter module sets, each with 2 M3 fixing holes of 3.1mm aperture for easy installation in DIY electronics and robotics projects
When LIRC makes sense
LIRC is not a prerequisite for basic receiving. The kernel input path handles decoding for supported remotes and presents button presses as Linux input events. Start there if your goal is simply to react to ordinary remote-control buttons.
The LIRC configuration guide describes LIRC as useful when a remote is not supported by kernel decoding, an application specifically expects LIRC, several applications need IR integration, or you need its IR-sending workflow, including irsend. The guide also characterizes configuration as potentially tricky, so choose it for a feature you need rather than assuming it is required for all IR projects.
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- 2Pcs Digital 38khz Ir Receiver Sensor Module + 2Pcs Ir Transmitter Sensor Module Kit for Arduino Electronic Building Block
- Working voltage 5V
Rank #3
- ❃❃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.
Common setup mistakes
- Confusing GPIO and header numbering: overlay pin values use GPIO/BCM numbering; check a pinout for your exact Pi before connecting wires.
- Expecting one overlay or one component to do both jobs: receiving and transmitting use separate hardware roles and separate support.
- Copying example pins as universal wiring: GPIO 23 and GPIO 22 are SunFounder lesson examples, while the firmware overlays default to GPIO 18. Use the settings that match your actual wiring.
- Using outdated
lirc_rpiinstructions: the current documented receiver path is kernel-basedgpio-ir; do not treat LIRC or old driver instructions as mandatory for basic input. - Assuming every remote or board is compatible: compatibility depends on the specific module, electrical requirements, Pi GPIO configuration, and remote protocol. Confirm these against the relevant hardware documentation.
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