IR Remote Control Symbol
Definition: The IR Remote Control symbol represents a handheld infrared transmitter device used in circuit diagrams to indicate a remote-control signal source that encodes commands as modulated infrared light pulses, typically using NEC or RC-5 protocols, as referenced in IEC 60617 general-component notation.
Also known as: infrared remote, IR transmitter remote, NEC remote, RC-5 remote, remote control module.
What the IR Remote Control symbol means
The IR Remote Control symbol denotes a battery-powered device that converts button presses into modulated infrared light pulses, typically at 38 kHz carrier frequency. In schematic diagrams it marks the signal originator in a wireless control link, with a single IR Out pin representing the transmitted optical signal path.
In system-level circuit diagrams, the IR Remote Control symbol pairs with an IR receiver component to complete the wireless communication link. The symbol indicates a one-way, line-of-sight data path operating in the 850–940 nm wavelength range, which is invisible to the human eye but detectable by photodetector-based receiver circuits.
How to identify the IR Remote Control symbol
The IR Remote Control symbol is typically drawn as a small rectangular block representing the remote handset body, with a curved or angled emission indicator at one end showing infrared beam projection. On schematic diagrams it appears as a labeled module block with a single output pin marked 'IR Out', distinguishing it from an IR LED symbol which shows the standard diode triangle-and-bar with emission arrows.
Function and usage boundary
An IR Remote Control generates timed bursts of infrared light modulated at a carrier frequency (commonly 38 kHz for NEC protocol, 36 kHz for RC-5) to encode digital commands such as power, volume, or channel selection. Each button press produces a unique bit pattern transmitted as on-off keying of the carrier, which a paired IR receiver demodulates and decodes into a digital command word for the host microcontroller.
Standards: IEC vs ANSI
| IEC 60617 | IEC 60617 does not define a dedicated IR remote symbol; general block-symbol conventions from IEC 60617-02 apply, representing the device as a labeled rectangular function block. |
|---|---|
| ANSI/IEEE 315 | ANSI Y32.2 / IEEE 315 likewise use a labeled block representation for proprietary or system-level components; no specific IR remote glyph is standardized. |
| Key difference | Both IEC and ANSI treat the IR remote as a system-level block; the representation is effectively identical in both standards — a labeled rectangle with signal ports. |
The displayed SVG is the live editor implementation, not a licensed reproduction or certification of an IEC or IEEE database glyph. Verify the exact official entry and project edition before issuing work.
Logical terminals
| Logical ID | Editor terminal name |
|---|---|
| ir_out | IR Out |
Where the IR Remote Control symbol is used
- Consumer electronics remote controls for TVs, set-top boxes, and audio systems
- Home-automation systems where IR blasters retransmit commands to legacy devices
- Robotics projects using IR remote for manual override or teleoperation
- Arduino and Raspberry Pi hobbyist projects interfacing with the IRremote library
- Infrared learning remotes and universal remote-control designs
- Industrial panel controls where wireless, non-contact operation is required
Key facts
- The IR Remote Control symbol represents a handheld device that encodes commands as 38 kHz modulated infrared pulses, typically following the NEC or RC-5 protocol.
- The standard carrier frequency is 38 kHz for NEC protocol and 36 kHz for Philips RC-5; the modulated IR light operates at approximately 940 nm wavelength.
- The symbol has one functional output pin, IR Out, representing the transmitted optical signal; it requires no direct electrical connection to the target circuit.
- NEC protocol frames consist of a 9 ms AGC burst, a 4.5 ms space, an 8-bit address, 8-bit inverse address, 8-bit command, and 8-bit inverse command — totalling 32 bits per frame.
- IR remote control transmission is line-of-sight only; walls and opaque objects block the signal, unlike RF-based wireless control.
- In circuit diagrams, the IR Remote symbol is a system-level block per IEC 60617-02 conventions, not a discrete component symbol.
- Typical transmission range is 5–10 metres with a cone angle of approximately 30–60 degrees depending on the LED lens angle.
Frequently asked questions
What does the IR Remote Control symbol mean in a circuit diagram?
The IR Remote Control symbol represents a handheld infrared transmitter that sends modulated light pulses encoding control commands. It marks the wireless signal source in a remote-control system, with the IR Out pin indicating the transmitted 38 kHz modulated infrared beam directed at a paired receiver component.
What does the IR Remote symbol look like on a schematic?
The IR Remote Control symbol appears as a labeled rectangular block marked 'IR Remote' or 'IR Remote Control', with a single output pin labeled 'IR Out'. Some representations add curved lines or arrows at the transmission end to indicate infrared beam emission, distinguishing it from a plain module block.
What is the difference between an IR remote symbol and an IR transmitter LED symbol?
The IR Remote Control symbol is a system-level block representing a complete handheld transmitter device, while the IR Transmitter LED symbol shows the standard LED glyph (triangle pointing to a bar) with two emission arrows to indicate infrared light output. The LED symbol represents a single discrete component; the remote symbol represents a complete multi-component subsystem.
What protocol does an IR remote control use?
The most common protocol is NEC, which uses a 38 kHz carrier and transmits 32-bit frames (8-bit address, 8-bit inverted address, 8-bit command, 8-bit inverted command). Philips RC-5 (36 kHz, 14-bit bi-phase coding) and Sony SIRC (40 kHz, 12-bit) are also widely used, and the specific protocol determines how the receiver decodes button presses.
What standard defines the IR remote control symbol?
No IEC 60617 or ANSI Y32.2 / IEEE 315 standard defines a dedicated IR remote glyph; both standards use general block-symbol conventions (IEC 60617-02) for system-level or proprietary components. The symbol is therefore shown as a labeled rectangular function block with annotated pins.
How far can an IR remote transmit?
A typical IR remote control transmits reliably over 5–10 metres in a cone of approximately 30–60 degrees. Range depends on the IR LED power, lens angle, ambient light interference, and receiver sensitivity; high-power IR LEDs combined with focused lenses can extend range beyond 15 metres.
What is the designator for an IR remote in a schematic?
There is no single standardised reference designator for an IR remote control as a complete device. In hobbyist and system-level schematics it is commonly labeled 'IR_REMOTE', 'SW_IR', or simply annotated by name. The transmitting LED within the remote would carry a designator of D (diode) per IEC 60617 and ANSI Y32.2 conventions.
Related symbols
Physical breadboard, PCB, and panel mapping
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