<p>There is no non-LEGO product that can substitute the infrared tower used for communicating with the RCX, as the USB and Serial towers use a very specific protocol that does not match that of other Infrared devices. Nonetheless, <a href="http://www.crynwr.com/lego-robotics/rcx_ir_txrx_circuit.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer">it does appear that there are schematics available for the IR Tower</a>, courtesy of Mark Bellis:</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/hjTKw.jpg" alt="RCX Infrared Tower schematics"></p>

<p>I'm no expert on low-level electronics, but it looks like <a href="http://www.mientki.ruhosting.nl/data_www/lego_knex/lego_electronica/ir_tower/ir_tower.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this site</a> has a lot of additional information that could be useful if you want to replicate/manipulate the IR tower.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-08-04T21:58:49.607Z
2014-08-04T21:58:49.607Z
HaydenStudios
<p>I came across a used Robotics Invention System 2.0 set, but in addition to a few missing bricks, it is missing the IR tower. Is there any generic replacement that I can use to program the RCX or does anyone know where I can find a schematic to build my own? Thanks...</p>

<rcx>
Any substitute / schematic for Mindstorms 2.0 IR tower?
Derek Tombrello
# Any substitute / schematic for Mindstorms 2.0 IR tower?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-08-04)

I came across a used Robotics Invention System 2.0 set, but in addition to a few missing bricks, it is missing the IR tower. Is there any generic replacement that I can use to program the RCX or does anyone know where I can find a schematic to build my own? Thanks...

**Tags:** rcx


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2014-08-04. Score: 3

There is no non-LEGO product that can substitute the infrared tower used for communicating with the RCX, as the USB and Serial towers use a very specific protocol that does not match that of other Infrared devices. Nonetheless, [it does appear that there are schematics available for the IR Tower](http://www.crynwr.com/lego-robotics/rcx_ir_txrx_circuit.jpg), courtesy of Mark Bellis:

![RCX Infrared Tower schematics](https://i.sstatic.net/hjTKw.jpg)

I'm no expert on low-level electronics, but it looks like [this site](http://www.mientki.ruhosting.nl/data_www/lego_knex/lego_electronica/ir_tower/ir_tower.html) has a lot of additional information that could be useful if you want to replicate/manipulate the IR tower.


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