Wiki / Protocols
76 kHz IR family
A short-lived LEGO infrared remote protocol built on a 76 kHz carrier, used ~2001–2002 before Power Functions standardised on 38 kHz. Reverse-engineered by Jorge Pereira (O Falcão / JorgePe).
Members
- Spybotics (3806–3809) — remote + inter-robot comms
- Bionicle Manas (8539)
- RC Nitro Flash, DUPLO RC Dozer, RC Train (IR)
All share the 76 kHz carrier and a similar message format with selectable channels/frequencies (typically 3 + an "all" option on Manas). It never gained traction and was replaced by the 38 kHz PF protocol.
Carrier vs LEGO's other optical links
| Link | Carrier | Type |
|---|---|---|
| VLL | none (baseband) | one-way light pulses |
| RCX | low-level serial (~940 nm) | two-way data |
| This family | 76 kHz | one-way remote |
| Power Functions | 38 kHz | one-way remote |
→ A 76 kHz device needs a 76 kHz-modulated IR emitter/receiver, not a 38 kHz one.
Links
- Decoding write-up: *O Falcão — Decoding old LEGO infrared protocol*** → ofalcao.pt (series: LEGO IR sniffing).
- Command tables + Arduino (IRLib2) / LIRC generators → github.com/JorgePe/ir-spybotics.
- Full Spybotics command set (send + receive), decoded from the CD-ROM → Spybotics IR protocol.