Infrared & Radio Transmission

Infrared Transmission
Infrared (IR) light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light Employed in short-range communication among computer peripherals and personal digital assistants and electronic devices

Propagation
Uses infrared light-emitting diodes
Receiver uses a silicon photodiode to convert the infrared radiation to an electric current Responds only to the rapidly pulsing signal created by the transmitter, and filters out slowly changing infrared radiation from ambient light

Uses
Short Range Communication Indoor use

Advantages
Simple Circuit Cheap Low Power Consumption No Licenses Needed Higher Security Simple Shielding Portable

Disadvantages
Works ONLY on Line-of-Sight (LOS) Mode Short Range

Blocked by common materials: people, walls, etc

Low bandwidth Speed is comparatively slow

Examples
Remote Control

Mobile Phones

Radio Transmission
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light

Propagation
Radio waves travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space Information is carried by systematically changing (modulating) some property of the radiated waves, such as amplitude, frequency, phase, or pulse width

Uses
Audio Telephony Video Navigation Radar Data (Digital Radio) Radio control

Advantages
Simple Circuit Cheap

No Licenses Needed
High Speed/Bandwidth Covers Large Areas (Penetrates through walls)

Disadvantages
Limited number of free frequency bands Shielding is difficult

Interference with other electrical devices

Greater Power Consumption Limited Spectrum of Frequency

Examples
FM Channels

Walkie Talkies