Infrared
technology is highlighted because of its increasing presence in mainstream
applications, its current and potential usage in disability-related
applications, and its advantages over other forms of wireless communication as
depicted in Fig. 1, infrared radiation is the region of the electromagnetic
spectrum between microwaves and visible light. In infrared communication an LED
transmits the infrared signal as bursts of non-visible light. At the receiving
end a photodiode or photoreceptor detects and captures the light pulses, which
are then processed to retrieve the information they contain. Some of the common
applications of infrared technology were listed as shown below:
Infrared technology offers several
important advantages as a form of wireless communication. Advantages and
disadvantages of IR are first presented, followed by a comparative listing of
radio frequency (RF) advantages and disadvantages.
- Augmentative
communication devices
- Car locking
systems
- Computers
a. Mouse b. Keyboards c. Floppy disk drives d. Printers - Emergency
response systems
- Environmental
control systems
a. Windows b. Doors c. Lights d. Curtains e. Beds f. Radios - Headphones
- Home
security systems
- Navigation
systems
- Signage
- Telephones
- TVs, VCRs,
CD players, stereos
- Toys
IR
Advantages:
- Low power
requirements: therefore ideal for laptops, telephones, personal digital
assistants
- Low
circuitry costs: $2-$5 for the entire coding/decoding circuitry
- Simple
circuitry: no special or proprietary hardware is required, can be
incorporated into the integrated circuit of a product
- Higher
security: directionality of the beam helps ensure that data isn't leaked
or spilled to nearby devices as it's transmitted
- Portable
- Few
international regulatory constraints: IrDA (Infrared Data Association)
functional devices will ideally be usable by international travelers, no
matter where they may be
- High noise
immunity: not as likely to have interference from signals from other
devices