Infrared (IR) Sensor Technology in Arcade Games: Circuit Principles & Applications

Infrared (IR) radiation serves as one of the most reliable wireless transmission mediums in modern arcade cabinet design. Because infrared light operates outside the visible light spectrum (typically between $850\text{ nm}$ and $950\text{ nm}$ wavelength), it allows arcade machines to detect rapid physical game actions—such as a basketball passing through a hoop or a coin dropping through a optical chute—without physical contact, mechanical friction, or wear over time.

sensor infra red tanpa reflektor

sensor infra red dengan reflektor

Modul sensor infra red

An arcade IR sensor setup functions primarily as an optical break-beam (photo-interrupter) or reflective proximity detector, converting physical movement into digital high/low logic signals processed by the game's main CPU.

1. Core Component Breakdown of an Arcade IR Circuit

A standard arcade infrared detection circuit relies on four primary electronic components operating in pairs:

+5V / +12V DC ──[Resistor R1]──> (IR Transmitter LED) ── ── ── ──> (Photodiode / Receiver) ──[Resistor R2]──> [Signal OUT to CPU]
                                 [Invisible IR Beam]

A. Infrared Transmitter (IR LED)

• Function: Acts as the optical emitter. It continuously projects an invisible infrared light beam across a designated target gap or zone.

• Characteristics: Appears clear or light blue in physical appearance, but emits non-visible light when forward-biased with a small DC current.

B. Infrared Receiver (Photodiode / Phototransistor)

• Function: Acts as the light detector. When the incoming IR beam strikes the receiver's semiconductor junction, its internal electrical resistance drops, allowing current to flow.

• Characteristics: Often enclosed in a dark-tinted or black epoxy housing to filter out ambient room lighting and prevent false optical triggers.

C. Current-Limiting Resistors

• Protect the IR LED from burning out due to over-current from the $+5\text{V}$ or $+12\text{V}$ power rails, and stabilize the output signal threshold on the receiver side.

D. Indicator LED (Status LED)

• Mounted directly on the sensor's printed circuit board (PCB) to provide instant visual feedback to arcade technicians:

  • Beam Unbroken: Indicator LED lights up (or turns off, depending on logic layout).

  • Beam Broken (Object Detected): Indicator LED toggles state instantly.

2. Common Applications in Arcade Cabinets

Infrared sensor arrays are deployed across various arcade game genres where mechanical microswitches would either break under impact or slow down gameplay:

1. Basketball Redemption Games (e.g., Street Basketball, Pop-A-Shot):

   • Location: Positioned inside the rim or lower net assembly.

   • Function: Registers points instantly as the basketball breaks the IR beam passing through the hoop.

2. Ball Drop & Hole Targets (e.g., Slam A Winner, Hole in One, Hungry Dog):

   • Location: Mounted along scoring chutes, hole funnels, and feeder tracks.

   • Function: Detects balls falling into target holes to calculate precise scoring without slowing down ball velocity.

3. Arcade Bowling & Skeeball (e.g., Lane Master, Alley Ball):

   • Location: Positioned along the foul line and target scoring pockets.

   • Function: Detects foul line infractions and tracks ball entry speeds/paths into high-value scoring rings.

4. Ticket Dispensers & Coin Validators:

   • Location: Inside ticket feed tracks (e.g., Deltronic DL-1275) and electronic coin comparators.

   • Function: Counts physical paper notches to verify payout quantities and checks coin drop timing to prevent token cheating.

5. Rotary Motor & Wheel Speed Encoders (e.g., Super Match, HockeyZoo):

   • Location: Mounted adjacent to slotted timing wheels on motor shafts.

   • Function: Counts motor revolutions per minute (RPM) and establishes home position indexing for rotating playfield wheels.

3. Step-by-Step Diagnostic & Maintenance Guide for Technicians

When an arcade target fails to register scores (e.g., basketball points not counting, or ticket dispenser running endlessly), follow this diagnostic procedure:

1.Check IR Transmitter Output Using a Smartphone Camera:Visual Optical Test.

Master Comparison: Mechanical Switches vs. Optical IR Sensors

Parameter	Mechanical Microswitches (Needle / Lever)	Optical Infrared (IR) Sensors
Physical Contact	Requires direct impact/pressure from object	Non-contact (detects via light obstruction)
Wear & Tear	High (levers bend, internal contacts oxidize)	Extremely Low (no moving mechanical parts)
Response Speed	Slower (constrained by physical spring bounce)	Instantaneous (microseconds response time)
Ideal Use Case	Heavy coin drop gates, physical button pushes	High-speed ball chutes, ticket notch counters, wheel encoders

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pneumatic push fitting

Fitting push-in yang memungkinkan pemasangan cepat dan mudah untuk instalasi slang kompresor/ pneumatik (udara bertekanan),dan  instalasi slang air/ plumbing (cairan pada berbagai tekanan dan suhu)

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heat shrink tube

isolasi bakar kabel, heat shrink kabel atau heat shrink tube berguna untuk isolasi kabel maupun wire listrik.

heat shrink tube yang akan mengkerut atau menutup saat diberikan panas,

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Engineering Basic | Test mode

Engineering Mode | Test mode

Test mode/ mode test fungsinya adalah untuk menjalankan berbagai tes dan melakukan pengaturan di set up mode

Mode test sangatlah berguna bagi seorang teknisi yang akan melakukan proses Perbaikan/ maintenance.

tujuan utama mode test sebenarnya adalah mode untuk melakukan testing (mengecek fungsi antara

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Engineering basic | Game Video no signal

Mengatasi Game Nyala, Tapi Tidak Tampil di Monitor

1.Periksa kabel vga, pastikan terpasang dengan benar

cek kabel monitor apakah sudah tersambung dengan baik atau belum.

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CMOS Batteries in Arcade Machines: Functions, Error Symptoms, and Replacement Guide

In modern arcade machines, maintaining system settings, coin/credit counts, and game configurations requires a small but critical component: the CMOS battery.

battery CMOS Pada mesin game  Arcade

CMOS stands for Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor. It powers the low-power volatile memory chip (CMOS RAM) on arcade motherboard assemblies, preserving BIOS system configurations and game operator settings even when the machine is completely powered off or unplugged from the wall outlet.

Tampilan pada PC ( baterry CMOS lemah/ rusak/ tidak terpasang)

1. What is a CMOS Battery and How Does It Work in Arcades?

[ Main Power OFF / Unplugged ]
             │
             ▼
[ Volatile CMOS RAM Memory Chip ] <==== Powered by === [ CMOS Battery (3V / 5.5V) ]
             │
             ▼
[ Preserves: System Time, Boot Sequence, BIOS Settings, Credit/Ticket Audit Data ]

When an arcade cabinet is turned off at night, the main power supply unit (PSU) stops delivering +5V/+12V DC power to the motherboard.

Without an active secondary power source, volatile memory loses all stored data instantly. The CMOS battery acts as a continuous backup power source, supplying microscopic amounts of current to keep the CMOS RAM active so that saved settings remain intact across power cycles.

battery CMOS Pada mesin game  Arcade

2. CMOS Battery Applications Across Different Arcade Platforms

CMOS batteries serve two distinct roles depending on whether the arcade machine is driven by a PC motherboard architecture or a specialized microcontroller board:

A. PC-Based Arcade Video Games (3V CR2032 Lithium Cell)

Modern high-end video games run on embedded PC platforms (Intel/AMD motherboards running Windows Embedded, Linux, or custom arcade OS environments).

• Example Games: Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune (1–6), Pump It Up, Initial D, Tekken 7, Photo Freestyle, Raw Thrills Racing Games.

• Standard Battery Type: CR2032 3V Coin Cell.

• Core Function: Preserves hardware BIOS settings (SATA boot drive priority, CPU clocking, onboard I/O configurations) and system real-time clock (RTC).

B. Microcontroller & Redemption Arcade Games (5.5V Supercapacitor / Battery Modules)

Dedicated redemption and skill games often use custom microcontroller boards (MCU) rather than full PC motherboards.

• Example Games: Street Basketball, Tower Crane, Claw Machines, Ticket Redemption Games.

• Standard Battery/Capacitor Type: 5.5V Memory Backup Battery / Supercapacitor Module (or Ni-MH button stack).

• Core Function: Preserves critical arcade operator settings, including:

  • Credit ratio settings (e.g., 1 card tap = 2 plays).

  • Ticket payout rates & mercy ticket options.

  • Game time limits and difficulty calibrations.

  • Audit meters (total plays, total coins inserted, total tickets dispensed).

battery CMOS 5,5V Pada mesin game  Arcade Streetbasketball

battery CMOS 5,5V Pada mesin game  Arcade tower crane

3. Symptoms of a Weak or Dead CMOS Battery

A standard CMOS battery has an operational lifespan of approximately 3 to 5 years. When the battery voltage drops below its critical threshold, arcade machines exhibit distinct error behaviors upon bootup:

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                     CMOS BATTERY FAILURE SYMPTOMS & IMPACT                        |
+----------------------+----------------------------------+-------------------------+
| Arcade System Type   | On-Screen / Hardware Symptom     | Operational Impact      |
+----------------------+----------------------------------+-------------------------+
| PC-Based Arcade      | "CMOS Checksum Error - Defaults  | Machine halts on boot;  |
| (Maxtune, PIU)       | Loaded" or "Press F1 to Continue"| requires keyboard input |
+----------------------+----------------------------------+-------------------------+
| PC-Based Arcade      | System Date/Time resets to 1999  | Online ranking, dongle  |
|                      | or 2000                          | security check fails    |
+----------------------+----------------------------------+-------------------------+
| MCU / Redemption Game| Settings reset to factory default| Credit/ticket payout    |
| (Basketball, Crane)  | after every reboot               | rates lose calibration  |
+----------------------+----------------------------------+-------------------------+

Key Indicators:

1. BIOS Boot Halts: On startup, a PC-based game displays error prompts on the CRT/LCD screen, such as:

   • CMOS Checksum Error - Defaults Loaded

   • CMOS Battery State Low

   • Press F1 to Run SETUP / Press F2 to Load Default Values

2. Loss of Game Operator Settings: Every time the machine is restarted or powered on in the morning, ticket payout settings, game difficulty, and credit configurations reset to factory defaults.

3. Loss of Audit Data: Total earnings, play counts, and ticket payout histories are wiped out, making daily revenue tracking inaccurate.

4. Boot Sequence Errors: The motherboard forgets which drive holds the game software (e.g., SSD, HDD, or CompactFlash card) and attempts to boot from a non-existent drive, showing No Boot Device Found.

4. How to Test and Replace CMOS Batteries in Arcades

[Isolate Arcade Power & Disconnect Mains]
                   │
                   ▼
  [Locate Battery on Motherboard / MCU]
                   │
                   ▼
  [Measure DC Voltage with Multimeter]
                   │
      ┌────────────┴────────────┐
      ▼                         ▼
 [CR2032: < 2.8V]        [5.5V Module: < 4.5V]
      │                         │
      ▼                         ▼
 Replace Cell             De-solder / Replace Module
 (Observe +/- Polarity)   (Check PCB traces for corrosion)

Step 1: Voltage Testing with a Multimeter

1. Power off the arcade cabinet and unplug the main power cable.

2. Locate the coin cell holder (or 5.5V backup module) on the main CPU PCB.

3. Set your multimeter to DC Volts ($V_{DC}$).

4. Place the red probe on the positive terminal (+) and the black probe on the negative terminal (-):

   • 3V CR2032 Battery: Replace if reading is below $2.8\text{V DC}$ (a healthy new cell reads $\approx 3.2\text{V}$ to $3.3\text{V}$).

   • 5.5V Backup Module: Replace if reading is below $4.5\text{V DC}$ when main power is off.

Step 2: Safe Replacement Procedure

• Standard Coin Cells (CR2032): Gently press the metal retaining clip outwards and slide the old battery out. Insert the new CR2032 with the plus sign (+) facing upward.

• 5.5V Soldered Modules: For arcade boards using soldered 5.5V button-stack batteries or supercapacitors, inspect the PCB surrounding the battery pins for green acid corrosion. De-solder the old module using a soldering iron and desoldering pump, clean the pads with isopropyl alcohol, and solder the new unit observing correct polarity.

Step 3: Re-configuring BIOS & Operator Settings

After replacing the battery:

1. Power on the machine and access the motherboard BIOS Setup (press DEL or F2 using a USB keyboard).

2. Set the correct Date and Time, restore the correct Boot Drive Order, and save changes (F10).

3. Enter the game’s Operator / Test Menu (using the internal test switch) to re-enter your preferred credit, pricing, and ticket payout ratios.

5. Preventative Maintenance Summary Table

Machine Category	Typical Battery Type	Lifespan	Primary Risk If Unserviced
PC Arcade (Maxtune, PIU, Initial D)	CR2032 (3V Lithium)	3–5 Years	Machine stuck on boot error; loss of custom game settings
Street Basketball / Tower Crane	5.5V Module / Capacitor	3–5 Years	Pricing & ticket payout rates reset to default on reboot
Classic Arcade PCBs (JAMMA)	Ni-Cd / Ni-MH 3.6V Pack	3 Years	Battery acid leaks, eating through PCB traces (irreversible damage)

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Proximity Sensors & Rotary Encoders in Arcade Machines: Types, Testing & Diagnosis

Beyond standard photo-electric infrared beams, arcade game mechanics rely heavily on Proximity Sensors and Rotary Encoders to detect mechanical positions, coin drops, motor rotations, and physical player movements.

Understanding these components ensures fast diagnostic turns when servicing complex arcade attractions such as ticket redemptions, coin pushers, and carnival-style physical games.

• Proximity Inductive 

• Proximity Capacitive

Proximity Inductive berfungsi untuk mendeteksi obyek besi/metal. Meskipun terhalang oleh benda non-metal, sensor akan tetap dapat mendeteksi selama dalam jarak (nilai) normal sensing atau jangkauannya. Jika sensor mendeteksi adanya besi di area sensingnya, maka kondisi output sensor akan berubah nilainya.

Proximity Inductive

What is a Proximity Sensor (Proximity Switch)?

A Proximity Sensor (or Proximity Switch) is a non-contact detection device that senses the presence or absence of an object when it enters a specific detection zone.

Key Characteristics:

• Short Sensing Range: Operates at very close range—typically from 1 mm up to a few centimeters, depending on the sensor model.

• Operating Voltage: Standard industrial/arcade variants operate on 10–30 VDC, though high-voltage models operating on 100–200 VAC also exist.

• Non-Contact Operation: Prevents mechanical wear and tear, making it ideal for high-vibration arcade environments.

Proximity Capacitive

Types of Proximity Sensors Used in Arcades

Proximity sensors are categorized based on the physical properties of the materials they detect:

                  +-----------------------------------+
                  |         PROXIMITY SENSORS         |
                  +-----------------+-----------------+
                                    |
          +-------------------------+-------------------------+
          |                                                   |
          v                                                   v
[ INDUCTIVE PROXIMITY ]                             [ CAPACITIVE PROXIMITY ]
  • Detects: Ferrous Metals (Iron/Steel)              • Detects: ALL Materials (Metal, Plastic,
  • Ignores: Non-metal obstacles                        Wood, Liquids, Glass, Rubber)
  • Arcade Apps: Firefighter, Dino Time               • Arcade Apps: Street Basketball, Jungle 
                                                        Bowling, Disco Winner

1. Inductive Proximity Sensors (Metal Detection Only)

Inductive proximity sensors generate an electromagnetic field at their sensing face. They exclusively detect ferrous metal/iron targets.

• Key Feature: If a non-metal object (like plastic, wood, or cardboard) blocks the sensor, the sensor ignores it and continues detecting metallic targets behind or through the barrier—as long as the target stays within the maximum sensing range.

• Common Arcade Applications:

  • Firefighter: Detecting metal lever position or nozzle movement.

  • Dino Time: Tracking metallic gear alignment, target flaps, or mechanical coin-drop gates.

2. Capacitive Proximity Sensors (Universal Target Detection)

Capacitive proximity sensors measure changes in an electrostatic field. They detect all object types, including metals, plastics, liquids, glass, and wood.

• Key Feature: High sensitivity to any dense material passing through its close-range envelope.

• Common Arcade Applications:

  • Street Basketball: Rim-mounted ball passage detection.

  • Jungle Bowling & Disco Winner: Ball track positioning, plastic target flips, or coin distribution detection.

How to Test and Diagnose Proximity Sensors

You can verify whether a proximity switch is working properly using two practical methods: LED Indicator Visual Inspection or Multimeter Voltage Measurement.

Method 1: LED Indicator Visual Test

Most proximity sensors feature an integrated LED status light on the rear housing:

• Active-High / Normally Open (NO) Configuration:

  • No Target (OPEN): LED is OFF.

  • Target Present (CLOSED): LED turns ON.

• Active-Low / Normally Closed (NC) Configuration:

  • Target Present (CLOSED): LED turns OFF.

  • No Target (OPEN): LED turns ON.

Diagnostic Rule: Bring a metal target (for Inductive) or any solid object (for Capacitive) near the sensor face. If the LED toggles cleanly between states, the internal sensing circuit is functioning correctly.

Method 2: Multimeter DC Voltage Test (Signal Pin to Ground)

For deeper troubleshooting when the LED lights up but the main game board still fails to register input:

[ Power Source: 12V / 24V DC ] --------> (VCC Pin - Brown Wire)
[ Ground / Com ] ----------------------> (GND Pin - Blue Wire)
[ Multimeter (+) Probe ] --------------> (Out / Drive Pin - Black or White Wire)
[ Multimeter (-) Probe ] --------------> (GND Pin - Blue Wire)

1. Supply standard working power (10–30 VDC) to the sensor power wires.

2. Set your digital multimeter to DC Volts ($V_{DC}$).

3. Place the red probe on the Signal Output Pin (Drive/Out) and the black probe on Ground (GND).

4. Observe the voltage response:

   • State 1 (OPEN): Reads approximately 5V DC (or VCC voltage depending on pull-up logic).

   • State 2 (CLOSED): Voltage drops to 0V DC.

5. If the output voltage switches between 5V and 0V cleanly upon bringing a target near, the sensor signal driver is healthy.

Other Essential Arcade Sensors: The Rotary Encoder

While proximity sensors handle basic proximity and position switching, Rotary Encoders (Rotary Sensors) measure continuous mechanical rotation, velocity, and angular direction.

       +--------------------+
       |  ROTARY ENCODER    |
       |  (Optical / Magn.) |
       +---------+----------+
                 |
        [Rotating Shaft]
                 |
      +----------+----------+
      v                     v
[PULSE GENERATION]    [POSITION & SPEED]
Pulsed signals (A/B)  Calculates exact wheel
sent to game board    angle and spin speed

How Rotary Encoders Work in Arcades:

• Rotary Shaft: Connected directly to steering wheels, ticket wheels, or motor spindles.

• Pulse Signal Output: As the shaft spins, the encoder outputs digital pulse trains (Phase A & Phase B signals).

• Game Logic: The game board counts these pulses to calculate exact steering angles, wheel spin speeds, or physical ticket distribution counts.

Primary Arcade Applications:

• Racing Games: Steering wheel orientation and force-feedback centering (e.g., Mario Kart Arcade GP, Initial D).

• Wheel of Fortune / Spinner Games: Measuring spin strength, speed decay, and winning segment position (e.g., Big Bass Wheel, Spin-N-Win).

• Ticket Dispensers: Precision counting of physical ticket notches as they pass through the dispenser rollers.

Summary: Quick Sensor Reference Guide

Sensor Type	Target Material	Sensing Distance	Primary Arcade Role
Infrared (IR) Beam	Any opaque object	Up to 1–2 meters	Ball scoring, hoop tracking (Dream Shooter)
Inductive Proximity	Ferrous Metals Only	1 mm – 10 mm	Mechanical home positioning, metal gates
Capacitive Proximity	Any Solid / Liquid	1 mm – 20 mm	Plastic ball detection, non-metal targets
Rotary Encoder	Physical Shaft Rotation	Continuous ($360^\circ$)	Steering, spinner wheels, ticket counting

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