Technology

IR stands for Infrared Radiation, which is an electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer (but lower frequency) than that of visible light, but shorter (and the frequency higher) than that of terahertz radiation microwave. IR devices are used for both short and medium range communications and control. There must be passable straight line through space between the transmitter-source and the receiver-destination hence the mode is line-of-sight. Radio frequency (RF) technology is one of the most promising emerging technologies. For instance, its use in identification Radio-frequency identification (RFID) which is exploitation of an object (called RFID tag) applied to or incorporated into a product -animal or person- for the purpose of recognition and the tracking via radio waves. Some of the tags can be read from several meters away and beyond the light of sight of the reader itself. IR cannot pass through obstacles unlike RF such as walls hence its used for intrusion-detectors, entertainment control units (remote controls), robots control systems, cordless microphones, modems, and printers among other devices.

For a comparison between IR and RF it is important to review the standard industry uses of both technologies. In a nutshell, IR is suitable for single-room applications -use of remote control- whereas RF is most suitable for -in the local hospital- phone communication since a greater range is required. In terms of cost the IR technology is lower than RF. Wireless technology is rapidly growing thus playing an increasing role in the lives of almost everybody in the worldwide either directly or indirectly. However, wireless technology is being overused in some situations hence becoming a social bother in some instances. The next generation of wireless network architecture will be more flexible, open, and standard-based which will facilitate a smooth integration from the current existing hierarchical circuit-switched technology to peer to peer, packet switched networks.