SECURE PayPal
PAYMENTS
TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK - SORRY
Thousands sold worldwide since 2002!
FEATURES AND APPLICATIONS
The Buddy System allows easy IR links between microcontrollers, Stamps or Boe-Bots on one pin
Now you can send or receive data or commands (RC-5) via infrared beams using very few BASIC Stamp resources
Will interface with many popular microcomputers using manufacturer's application notes for serial communications
Allows other functions too, like invisible perimeter alarm, object detection, IR repeater, personnel detector
The Buddy System has an 8-byte buffer for incoming data or commands; this allows the user to retrieve the most recent arrivals whenever desired, instead of tying up the Stamp waiting for data to arrive in real-time
RC-5 IR Remote Control protocol allows up to 2048 unique button-press functions per project
On-board IR carrier-frequency generator allows multiple modulation frequencies to suit other receivers - choose user-programmable transmit carriers of 30 kHz, 38 kHz, or 56 kHz to send your IR commands
Will directly command many Philips IR devices, if they use the popular and robust RC-5 format
Most Universal Remotes capable of mimicking the Philips format will also be able to interface with the Buddy System, allowing direct input of Remote Control commands for the Stamp project to use in any way you desire
Besides sending or receiving data, the Buddy System also can use data beams as an invisible fence, for small or large object detection, and for perimeter security, as well as many other possible project applications. By using data on an IR beam, intruders are prevented from disabling the beam, because it has unique properties not readily imitated by a substitute beam
Advanced users skilled in small soldering can investigate more functionality, like IR Repeater and Extended LED
Some applications need shorter range IR, and the Buddy System's beam can easily be attenuated to reduce range, from 50 feet all the way down to mere inches, all precisely done with a few inexpensive Legos parts. See the document, Custom Attenuators
Low-power features enhance utility: 2 mA current drain in receive, 20 mA when transmitting IR bursts
Sleep mode further reduces quiescent current to 14 uA for extreme conservation of power - perfect for battery power
All references to Stamp, BASIC Stamp, Board of Education, IR Buddy, and Boe-Bot, refer to products made now or in the past by Parallax Inc. of Rocklin, CA, and most are the respective trademarks of those products.
This site and product have no current connection with Parallax, nor does Parallax endorse or otherwise warrant this product, other than an IR Buddy which the original purchaser bought directly from Parallax, or through one of its world-wide representatives, while the IR Buddy was in its original production years, (before becoming a discontinued item in June of 2006), or from the close-out stock of IR Buddy units sold by Parallax or its representatives after becoming a discontinued item. In those instances, Purchaser is asked to please contact Parallax Customer Service for warranty assistance with their IR Buddy.
Any technical questions will be answered, and any needed assistance will gladly be offered to any and all users via the email address below, regardless of when or from whom the Buddy System was purchased.
For questions regarding this site, or technical issues regarding the Buddy System, use this email address:
This product is still produced in America, now under private management, and is no longer a Parallax item. For mail inquiries write to: Buddy System P.O. Box 8951 Citrus Heights, CA 95621
