The use of IR as a viable remote control mechanism came into full effect in the early 1900s. The infrared data association (IrDA) was established during that time to control use of IR technology and enforce interoperability by initiating standardization measures.
How IR Works
An infrared system is composed of three basic components, the receiver (also called the target), the power source and the IR emitter. The remote control first converts the information to be transmitted (usually in binary data) into modulated light waves. The light waves, invisible to the naked eye, have a frequency range of between 1 to 400 THz. This light waves are sent via the IR emitter to the receiver. The receiver then converts the light waves into electrical signals. The signal executes commands like switching channels. The power supply provides the power necessary to convert the binary data to light waves and back, amplify the signal when required as well as power the components to be connected. Most IR systems can work with a connecting block power source rating of about 200mA.
Applications
One of the popular uses of IR technology is to connect electrical components. They are in wide use in televisions, DVD, radio and cable boxes. They come in handy especially when swapping channels. The remote send the IR signal through the IR emitter, to the front placed receiver, which then converts this wavelength into an electrical signal.
Manufacturing industries use the IR emitters and receivers for heating. Infrared heaters and ovens work much faster than conventional ovens, more responsive to input and make for quite quality sources of heat. The intelligent property that comes with the IR emitter (the receiver is always quite defined) allows the companies to accurately direct the heat energy. This minimizes loss of energy and damage to the product and machinery. Various industries employing this technology include casting industries, joinery, molding and industrial driers. New technology includes the use of the thermal IR emitter, composed of hotplates embedded with amorphous diamond resistor. This microstructure allows for low internal temperatures but very high emission levels. This property allows the industries to minimize heat loss through reduced internal overheating while maintaining high performance levels.
Top of the range saunas also employ ceramic IR technology using a ceramic IR emitter. The infrared produces heat for warming the body and the room through modulated light wavelengths. The emitters focus the light waves on the body, and the skin cells convert the waves into heat energy. The ceramic emitter has the beneficial property of reflecting (bouncing) the heat around the room for an all-round heat distribution.
The IR emitter is in widespread use in the communication industry. Through strategic positioning of the emitter and remote target, short-range communication devices like computer peripherals and PDAs are connected without physical components like cables. As long as they conform to the IrDA standards, the components can communicate through infrared technology. Considering that IR does not penetrate walls, it offers the best component connection in highly populated areas and rooms with sensitive information like military stations.
