In the other thread the discussion turned to MilesTag and PIC programming. I didn't want to cause confusion, so I started this thread.
I have been experimenting with ways to generate 40khz for a laser tag gun. The first way I tried, using a 555 timer, works. (I would still have to tie this to another 555 to conrol pulse length. For now it just sends continuously as long as the button is held.)
The next circuit I tried involved a 4060 binary counter, resonator, resistor and a couple of capacitors. When I transmit the signal, all I get is a bit of static/crackle from the piezo tied to the 40khz receiver.
Circuit is here: **broken link removed**
I'm pretty sure I have it right, but there is a bit of question about how I hook the IR LED into it: Currently I have anode/+ in pin 7 (40khz) of the 4060 and cathode/- going to battery negative. Also am I right in having pin 8 going into ground/battery negative?
I've read that people have good results with circuits using crystals (lots of lasertag guns apparently use them), and that the circuits use less parts and less power.
I'm looking for something I can tie into a 555 timer, to control pulse length, rate of fire, etc.
One crystal circuit that I've found so far is on that same link (scroll up one). I have a 74C14 and the other required parts, EXCEPT for the crystal. Anyone know of a good part # for Mouser or Digikey for a 40khz crystal? When I search the site, I'm overwhelmed with options.
Also, how would I hook it up so that it's using only gate 1 of the 74C14?
Sorry for all the newbie questions, but I really want to try a few different 40khz oscillators to find out which one is the best for this application.
Thanks!
I have been experimenting with ways to generate 40khz for a laser tag gun. The first way I tried, using a 555 timer, works. (I would still have to tie this to another 555 to conrol pulse length. For now it just sends continuously as long as the button is held.)
The next circuit I tried involved a 4060 binary counter, resonator, resistor and a couple of capacitors. When I transmit the signal, all I get is a bit of static/crackle from the piezo tied to the 40khz receiver.
Circuit is here: **broken link removed**
I'm pretty sure I have it right, but there is a bit of question about how I hook the IR LED into it: Currently I have anode/+ in pin 7 (40khz) of the 4060 and cathode/- going to battery negative. Also am I right in having pin 8 going into ground/battery negative?
I've read that people have good results with circuits using crystals (lots of lasertag guns apparently use them), and that the circuits use less parts and less power.
I'm looking for something I can tie into a 555 timer, to control pulse length, rate of fire, etc.
One crystal circuit that I've found so far is on that same link (scroll up one). I have a 74C14 and the other required parts, EXCEPT for the crystal. Anyone know of a good part # for Mouser or Digikey for a 40khz crystal? When I search the site, I'm overwhelmed with options.
Also, how would I hook it up so that it's using only gate 1 of the 74C14?
Sorry for all the newbie questions, but I really want to try a few different 40khz oscillators to find out which one is the best for this application.
Thanks!