Creative Control Concepts

The MCIR-Link provides a powerful 2-Way IR interface for your HCS-II system. Up to 8 may be added to the HCS-II network so they can be located throughout your home. This allows you to customize the IR interface in a given room. On the other hand, you can use a single MCIR-Link and 3rd Party IR distribution equipment so that all the IR in your home is driven through one MCIR-Link.

The MCIR-Link acts like a learning remote. You simply train it with various IR commands used to control other IR aware equipment in your home. Sending these IR commands is simple. The XPRESS command MCIR(Link#) = [IRCommand] is used to send a trained IR command. Up to 256 IR commands can be stored in the MCIR-Link. The trained commands are stored in battery backed RAM, but they can also be downloaded to a PC and stored for later upload. This is especially useful if you have multiple units to train. IR Commands are sent via two high-power IR emitters.

For sensing IR signals, the MCIR-Link has it’s own set of IR commands. Simply use the MCIR-Link to train a learning remote control and the MCIR-Link will recognize up to 256 unique IR commands. This ‘custom’ IR set is beneficial since it is unlikely a normal IR remote will trigger your HCS-II. IR commands are received using a specialized IR signal detector from Sharp Electronics. The 8-in-1 Learning Remote from X10 is a great remote to use with your MCIR-Link since it can learn IR commands and control X10 via RF.

Below is an example of how easy it is to use the MCIR-Link:

DEFINE TVon = 6  ! Trained IR Command for TV Power On
DEFINE FamRm_Motion = INPUT(8)

BEGIN

IF FamRm_Motion = ON THEN
   LCD(0) = "Turning on TV"
   MCIR(0) = TVon
END

MCIR-Link Specifications

• Communications
  • RS232 to PC: 9600 bps, 8-N-1 via 2 x 8 header
    (PC Interface Cable Included)
  • RS485 Network: 9600 bps, half-duplex, via screw terminals
• Input/Output
  • Sharp IS1U60 Infrared Receiver Module
  • High Power Infrared LED Transmitter
• Physical
  • Size: 3.5" x 5.2"
  • Power: 9-18 VDC @ 275 mA
  • Temperature: 0-70°C, 10-90% relative humidity