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



