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NXT IRSeeker V2 (NSK1042)

Price : $54.95

Play robot soccer and zero in on your infrared (IR) beacons with the new and enhanced IRSeeker V2 (Version 2). You can use most TV remotes and LEGO® Power Functions remotes as beacons that the IRSeeker V2 will detect. With a specially designed curved lens and five internal detectors, the IRSeeker V2 has a 240 degree view making it perfect for playing robot soccer with the HiTechnic IRBall. The IRSeeker V2 has enhanced modes that detect modulated IR signals, including the new RoboCup Jr stepped modulated mode, and it filters out background signals giving superior performance in brightly lit rooms and sunny locations. The sensor returns the signal direction and strength making it easy to locate and gauge the relative distance to the target. A winning robot soccer combination when combined with the HiTechnic NXT Compass Sensor!

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HiTechnic NXT IRSeeker V2 Sensor for LEGO Mindstorms NXT

Introduction

The NXT IRSeeker V2 (Version 2) is a multi-element infrared detector that detects infrared signals from sources such as the HiTechnic IRBall soccer ball, infrared remote controls and sunlight. It is perfect for robot soccer competitions.
The IRSeeker V2 operates in 2 selectable modes,

The IRSeeker V2 uses advanced digital signal processing techniques to filter the signals received and select only the signals required. A newly designed housing with a constant radius curved end cap increases directional peformance by minimizing distortion of light signals entering the sensor.

The IRSeeker direction values are shown here with 1 indicating the infrared target is left and behind, 5 if the target is directly ahead and 9 if the target is to the right and behind. A value of 0 is returned if no signal is detected.

Programming

Mindstorms NXT-G

All IRSeeker V2 functions can be accessed using the MINDSTORMS NXT-G programming block that can be downloaded from the download page.

IRSeeker Sensor Block

Display Settings

1. The number shows which of your NXT's ports are connected to the IRSeekerV2. You can change this number in the configuration panel if you need to.
2. The block's data hub will open automatically when the block is placed in the work area. At least one data wire must be dragged from the block's output plug to another block's data hub. (See the Data Hub section below for more information.)

Configuring the IRSeekerV2 Block

1. Choose the port where your IRSeekerV2 is plugged in. By default, the block will be set to port 1 for an IRSeekerV2. You can change this selection if you need to.
2. Chose the Mode. Two modes are available Modulated (AC) and Un-modulated (DC).

Modulated (AC) Mode - The sensor will detect modulated IR signals such as those from the HiTechnic IRBall or some IR remote controls. In Modulated mode the sensor will filter out most other IR signals to decrease interference from lights and sunshine for example. The sensor is tuned to square wave signals at 1200Hz.
Un-modulated (DC) Mode - The sensor will detect un-modulated IR signals such as the older style IRBall or sunlight.

IRSeekerV2 block Data Hub plugs

You must click on the Data Hub to open it as shown.

1. This plug wires the number of the port that the IRSeekerV2 is connected to.
2. This plug outputs the direction value.
3. This plug selects the mode the sensor is operating in, 0 = Modulated Mode (AC), 2 = Un-modulated (DC) mode.
4. This plug outputs the source detected logical value.
5. This plug outputs the Channel 1 signal strength value.
6. This plug outputs the Channel 2 signal strength value.
7. This plug outputs the Channel 3 signal strength value.
8. This plug outputs the Channel 4 signal strength value.
9. This plug outputs the Channel 5 signal strength value.

The five strength values available make it possible to determine the approximate distance to the infrared source if it is of a known brightness. The five strength values come from five infrared sensors which are oriented to face in the 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 directions. Internally, the sensor will interpolate the readings between these five primary directions to obtain the direction values 2, 4, 6 and 8.

So if you want to obtain the strength for each of the 9 directions, you should use;

Notes:

• Using infrared remote control as a signal source: Most remote controls will be detected by the IRSeekerV2 in AC mode but some remotes may not be detectable, depending on the signal generated. The IRSeekerV2 is tuned to detect a 1200Hz square wave.
• The new IRSeeker requires the new V2 version NXT-G programming block that can be downloaded from the download section of our web site.
• NXT Firmware version 1.05 or later must be loaded in the NXT for the IRSeeker V2 and other digital I2C sensors to operate correctly. You can check the firmware version by displaying the NXT Window in the Mindstorms software.

IRSeeker V2 Sensor Register Layout

The I2C address of the IRSeeker V2 sensor is 0x10.

Other Programming Environments

NXC Programming

Current version of NXC include api functions for reading the HiTechnic IRSeeker V2. Functions include:

• SensorHTIRSeeker2DCDir
• SensorHTIRSeeker2ACDir
• SetHTIRSeeker2Mode
• ReadSensorHTIRSeeker2AC
• ReadSensorHTIRSeeker2DC

For a complete list of HiTechnic API supported by NXC, please refer to the HiTechnic API page of the online NXC Programmer's Guide.

//=====================================================================
// Sample Program to display the values from the
// HiTechnic IRSeeker V2
//
#define IRSEEKER IN_1

// Convenience macro that combines TextOut and NumOut
#define TextNumOut(xPos,yPos,str,col,num)  TextOut(xPos,yPos,str); \
                                           NumOut(xPos+6*col,yPos,num)

task main()
{
  int dir, s1, s2, s3, s4, s5, result;

  SetSensorLowspeed(IRSEEKER);
  
  while(true) {
    ReadSensorHTIRSeeker2AC(IRSEEKER, dir, s1, s2, s3, s4, s5);

    TextNumOut(0, LCD_LINE3, "Dir:    ",4,dir);
    TextNumOut(6, LCD_LINE4, "S1:     ",3,s1);
    TextNumOut(6, LCD_LINE5, "S2:     ",3,s2);
    TextNumOut(6, LCD_LINE6, "S3:     ",3,s3);
    TextNumOut(6, LCD_LINE7, "S4:     ",3,s4);
    TextNumOut(6, LCD_LINE8, "S5:     ",3,s5);

    Wait(100);
  }
}

RobotC

All IRSeeker V2 features are available in RobotC using the functions provided by the drivers pack available under RobotC below.

Downloads

HiTechnic Enhanced IRSeekerV2 Block

This is a new block for the IRSeekerV2. The block uses a combination of AC and DC modes for improved short range direction and signal strength determination without sacrificing long range performance.

	Description	Version	Release Date	Size
	HiTechnic Enhanced IRSeekerV2 Block	1.0	June 14th, 2011	194.74 KB	Download Now

HiTechnic IRSeekerV2 Sensor Block for Mindstorms NXT Software

This NXT-G block supports the new IRSeekerV2 (Version 2) Sensor. The IRSeekerV2 has enhanced features to detect modulated and un-modulated IR signals. This block provides features enabling access to the direction and relative strength of an infrared signal.

	Description	Version	Release Date	Size
	HiTechnic IRSeekerV2 Sensor Block for Mindstorms NXT Software	1.0	May 7th, 2009	176.46 KB	Download Now

Enhanced IRSeekerV2 Sample Programs

Two NXT-G sample programs for the Enhanced IRSeekerV2 block. ViewEIRSeeker simply displays the values from the sensor on the NXT screen while MoveEIRSeeker drives the robot toward the IR source.

	Description	Version	Release Date	Size
	Enhanced IRSeekerV2 Sample Programs	1.0	June 24th, 2011	211.33 KB	Download Now

Enhanced IRSeekerV2 Function

The HTEnhancedIRSeekerV2 function implements the same algorithm as the Enhanced IRSeekerV2 Block. This function uses both AC and DC modes for enhanced short range IR direction determination and signal strength. Ideal for WRO Football Robots.

	Description	Version	Release Date	Size
	Enhanced IRSeekerV2 Function	1.0	June 23rd, 2011	1.40 KB	Download Now

FTC Update For LabVIEW 2009

LabVIEW 2009 VIs and sample program VIs for the sensors commonly used by FTC teams. This set includes VIs for the Acceleration, Compass, Gyro, IR Seeker V2, and Magnetic Sensors as well the Touch Sensor Multiplexer. These VIs support the HiTechnic Sensor Multiplexer. See included readme.txt file on how to install into LabVIEW 2009.

	Description	Version	Release Date	Size
	FTC Update For LabVIEW 2009	1.0	October 6th, 2010	261.37 KB	Download Now

IR Seeker V2 Sensor VIs For LabVIEW2009

IR Seeker V2 Sensor VIs and sample program VI for LabVIEW 2009. Supports the HiTechnic Sensor Multiplexer. See included readme.txt file on how to install into LabVIEW 2009.

	Description	Version	Release Date	Size
	IR Seeker V2 Sensor VIs For LabVIEW2009	1.0	October 7th, 2010	80.07 KB	Download Now

IRSeeker VI

LabVIEW VI for the HiTechnic IRSeeker.
Note: This vi is designed for LabVIEW 7.1 with NXT Toolkit.

	Description	Version	Release Date	Size
	IRSeeker VI	1.0	April 2nd, 2009	47.82 KB	Download Now

HiTechnic IRSeeker Sensor Block (beta)

This sensor block will replace the current V1 and V2 IRSeeker sensor blocks. This block has a mode selector that lets you choose between three V2 modes (AC 1200Hz, AC 600Hz, and DC) as well as V1 sensor mode.

	Description	Version	Release Date	Size
	HiTechnic IRSeeker Sensor Block (beta)	2.0beta	June 14th, 2011	203.83 KB	Download Now

HiTechnic EV3 I2C Blocks

This is preliminary release of the HiTechnic EV3 blocks file. Supported sensors are: Angle, Compass, Accelerometer, and IRSeekerV2.
New with v. 0.21: Gyro Sensor block now available with the other analog sensor blocks.
New with v. 0.20: Added support for the RPM value for Angle sensor. Split blocks into individual .ev3b files so you only need to import what you need. Worked around EV3 IIC U8 as I8 bug.

	Description	Version	Release Date	Size
	HiTechnic EV3 I2C Blocks	0.21	February 7th, 2014	103.77 KB	Download Now