I wanted to do a project where I received a wireless signal, and used that signal to drive a load that drew significant current.

I decided on sending the signal with an IR remote, which sends NEC-encoded signals, and using that signal to drive a DC motor (fan) with a PWM signal.I ended up learning a lot about 1) decoding wireless signals and 2) the EE principles behind driving a load that pulls significant current.

I had to figure out how to stop the DC motor from tripping my IR sensor by causing ripple on the power rail.