Summary of Using FM RC Controllers using an Arduino
This project demonstrates how to control an Arduino using an old RC transmitter and receiver by reading the PWM signal from the receiver and mapping it to control LEDs. The receiver’s signal pin is connected to the Arduino, which reads the pulse widths using the pulseIn() function. These values are then mapped to PWM outputs that fade an LED accordingly. The project is extended to control an RGB LED for more complex functionality.
Parts used in the Arduino RC LED Control:
- RC Transmitter
- RC Receiver
- Arduino
- LED
- RGB LED
- Extension Cable (for pin identification)
I recently dug up my old RC transmitter and receiver and thought “How can i control my arduino with this?” so i powered on my scope to see what was going on at the receiver. Sure enough, it was sending out the standard PWM signal that servos use. Now I just needed something to control. What’s easy and fun to control? LED’s of course.
Step 1: The Receiver
To begin with i had to figure out what pin on the receiver was the signal pin for the servo. I found an extension cable, there i could clearly see what pin it was.
Step 2: Connecting it all
Now that i knew what pins were what i connected them to the arduino as follows:
I connected the signal to pin 8
and the led was connected to pin 11 because it has PWM capabilities.
I also connected the receiver ground to the arduinos ground and the 5v out from the receiver to the Vin on the arduino
Step 3: The Code
Now i started coding,
I used the pulseIn() function to read the pulses from the receiver and send them to the serial monitor, when i had those values i told the arduino to map those to the PWM values (0-255) and send them to the serial monitor again.
Now when i moved the joystick on the remote i saw the values change.
Now the last part of the code sends those PWM values to the led and fades it accordingly.
I was happy when i got this working but i needed a bit more challenge, i wanted it to control an RGB LED.
RGB LED
For more detail: Using FM RC Controllers using an Arduino
