Pulsr

A smart universal remote system built with ESP32, Firebase, and React.

Documentation

• System Architecture - System overview and design principles

Embedded Software

• Receiver - IR signal learning
• Transmitter - IR signal transmission

Web App

• Learning UI - Learning mode interface
• Remote UI - Remote control buttons
• Designer UI - Layout editor
• Chatbot UI - AI assistant

Getting Started

Prerequisites

• VS Code with PlatformIO extension
• ESP32-S3-DevKitM-1 (or compatible ESP32-S3 board)
• IR receiver module (TSOP38238) on GPIO 5
• IR LED transmitter circuit on GPIO 4

ESP32 Configuration

1. Copy the example config:

   cp esp32/include/config.example.h esp32/include/config.h

2. Edit esp32/include/config.h with your WiFi and Firebase credentials

Hardware Tests

Hardware tests validate individual components before running the full production build. Run them from the esp32/ directory.

Important: Close any open Serial Monitor before uploading. The upload will fail if the COM port is busy.

IR Loopback Test (recommended first test)

Sends IR signals from the transmitter and verifies the receiver decodes them correctly. Tests the full encode → transmit → receive → decode pipeline.

Setup: Point IR LED (GPIO 4) at IR receiver (GPIO 5), a few cm apart.

cd esp32
pio run -e ir_loopback_test -t upload
pio device monitor

Press any key in the serial monitor to run all tests. Results print automatically. Press any key again to re-run.

IR Receiver Test

Captures and decodes IR signals from any remote control.

pio run -e ir_receiver_test -t upload
pio device monitor

Point any TV/AC remote at the IR receiver and press buttons. Decoded signals appear in the serial output.

IR Transmitter Test

Sends predefined IR commands to control a real device.

pio run -e ir_transmitter_test -t upload
pio device monitor

Point the IR LED at a TV/device. Press BOOT to cycle through NEC → Samsung → Sony test signals.

Production Build

Builds and uploads the full embedded software with receiver, transmitter, and Firebase integration.

cd esp32
pio run -e production -t upload
pio device monitor

Unit Tests

Run protocol encoder/decoder unit tests natively (no hardware needed):

cd esp32
pio test -e native_test