Dear All,

I am working on a Basic Stamp project that detects IR from a
standard tv remote control.  I tried to use a standard IR
phototransistor but found that I had to place the remote control
within 1/4" for it to work.  I then tried using a transistor to amplify
the circuit.  I coupled the collectors of the phototransistor and
transistor, and connected the emitter of the phototransistor to the
base of the transistor.  In a darkened room, the circuit worked great.
But in normal room light, the circuit acted as if it was continuously
detecting IR.  I tried using an IR filter lens from a remote control
to shield the phototransistor, but it did not seem to help.

Question:  How do I reduce the sensitivity of the IR phototransistor
to normal light?  Should I scrap this idea, and use the GP1U52X IR
receiver module mentioned in Basic Stamp application note #11?

Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated!

Mike Brothers
electron@wln.com