Simple IrDA Receiver

Palm Pilots are just one of the devices that use the IrDA standard for infrared data communication. Most Desktop PCs are not equipped with an IrDA interface so this simple circuit conveniently converts the PC serial port into an IrDA receiver. The circuit needs to detect and stretch the received infrared pulses so that the output signal conforms to the standard serial data format. The circuit is designed to operate at 9600 Baud and uses just two NPN transistors and a phototransistor. The 22-nF capacitor performs the job of lengthening the signals.