external IR LED module.
-
Re: Which external hardware to buy for extend IR range ?
Hey conradsm, welcome!
That's a classic prank idea, and it's cool that you've already got the basic function working with NEMO on your M5 Stick.
You're right, the built-in IR LED on these devices is pretty low-power and designed for short range. To increase the range significantly, you'll want an external IR LED module. It's a simple and cheap piece of hardware that acts like a high-powered spotlight for your infrared signal.
What you're looking for is a high-power IR LED (like a 1W or 3W model) paired with a driver transistor (like a simple NPN transistor, e.g., 2N2222) so you don't fry the GPIO pin on your M5 Stick. The easiest way to get this is to search for a "3.3V IR LED Amplifier Module" or a "GROVE IR Emitter" that is compatible with the GROVE port on your M5 Stick Plus 2. This would be the simplest plug-and-play solution.
Your setup would be:
M5 Stick GPIO Pin -> Driver Circuit/Module -> High-Power IR LEDJust point the external LED in the right direction, and you should easily be able to triple or more your current range from across a room.
Good luck with the joke