OK.. Here's a super simple way to do this.

Take the code from this page: http://www.rentron.com/IR_TO_RF.htm. You'll need the MPASMWIN assembler from http://www.microchip.com

Burn a 10F200 with this code. Connect the DIN pin (shown in Figure #2) on the 10F200 to any pin on your existing PIC (that will send your IR data), and use "inverted" serial mode.

Build the IR receiver circuit shown in Figure #1 up to the 2N3906 PNP transistor with the 10K pull-down.

Replace the the RF trasnsmitter module with the receiving PIC (serial input pin).

Viola. You now have a way to transmit IR data by serial with a single 8-pin PIC that works up to 2400 bps.

Note: You'll need a good quality IR photo module like this one http://www.rentron.com/remote_control/PNA4602M.htm#1140 (and yes, it really does matter which IR module you use for reliable serial communications).

Why? Because IR modules have a MAX data rate. If you violate this (calm down Melanie..}), it simply does not work. This particular IR photo module works up to 3500 bps which is absolutely perfect for reliable 2400 bps serial IR data reception.

You will also want an IR LED that matches the "peak spectral sensitivity" of the IR photo module used for absolute maximum operating distance.

Why? Because the peak spectral sensitivity of the IR photo detector is fixed at a specific wavelength. For the TSOP1140 this is 940nm. When you use an IR LED that matches this wavelength, you get the absolute best operating range because you're transmitting at a wavelength the IR photo module is most sensitive to. This = maximum gain at the receiving end which is very important.

We have these IR LED's as well, but any 940nm IR LED will suffice. http://www.rentron.com/remote_control/IRLED.htm I think most Radio Shack stores carry IR LED's in this wavelength, but we've also got em.

I designed an IR wireless programming system for the BASIC Stamp a few years back that would program a Stamp (BS-II, BS-II SX, and BS2p series) from up to 75 foot from any PC running the Stamp compiler/tokenizer software (we offered a modified version of course) with a simple pre-programmed 8-pin PIC on the PC transmitter end very similar to this setup.

If you're interested in the PIC16F676 IR receiving end that actually receives IR data from the PC & programs the Stamp, drop me a line via email. I'll give you the full source code.

If you want to transmit & receive serial data by IR using simple PBP serout/serin commands, this works, period, and it's incredibly simple.

And if you really want to crank the data-rate up there, (I.E. up to 19,200 bps) with IR data communications, we've got a chip & the required parts for that too http://www.rentron.com/remote_control/TX-IRHS.htm

Can't give you the code for that one, but we definitely have the parts if you have the "need for speed"....;o}