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| IR Frequently Asked Questions |
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@aero-vision |
Infra-Red FAQ |
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| Infra-Red FAQ |
What is Infra Red? Normal light visible to the human eye is composed of light of different wavelengths, perceived as colors by the eye. If you hold a prism at just the right angle in sunlight you can see the white light split up into a rainbow of colors from red to violet. Reds are the lowest frequency ranges and violets are the highest frequency ranges visible to the eye. Infra Red light (IR) is composed of lightwaves in the range just 'over' the red range. Because of the optical frequency, enormous bandwidth capabilities are available for communications links. What are some common Infra Red Devices? The most commonly used Infra Red devices by far are the ubiquitous remote control units for TVs, VCRs, DVD players and other entertainment equipment in the home and office, as well as the very short range data links to notebook PC's. The Aero-Vision IR data links provide greater range, enabling communications within a building, for example. What are Infra Red Communication Systems? Infra Red lightwave based communication systems use modulated lightwaves in the IR spectrum as the communication medium, similar to radio based communication systems that use radio waves as the communication medium. Infra Red Communication Systems are now a proven technology including systems that can connect computer networks and telecommunication systems. Who uses Infra Red Communication Systems? The user base of Infra Red Communication Systems is wide and varied. There is no one key factor common to these applications other than the need for efficiently and cost effectively transfer information at high speed. IR has seen application in hospitals, power stations, manufacturing, retailers, educational institutions, private medical facilities, banking, airport, motor racing, military, and telecommunication utilities. The applications range from remote control of devices to data transfer. Are Special Permits or Licenses required? Because the systems use low power Infra Red for light wave transmission, there are no requirements for FCC licenses, radio interference studies or right of way permits. Actual IR radiation from the IR communications device is actually substantially less than the incidental IR radiation from an ordinary incandescent light bulb. Do these Infra Red Communication Systems create a Safety Hazard? No. These systems do not require certification for handling or operation. The small power output used in this class of devices makes the transmitter devices harmless, and further these systems do not pose any safety issue to eyes, for example. What are the Benefits of Infra Red Communication Systems? Some benefits of Infra Red Communication Systems: highly secure, deployed internal or external to a building, excellent availability, resistant to temperature and climatic changes. The adaptive optics employed by Aero-Vision enable applications ranging from broad multi-point coverages to highly secure directional point-to-point systems. How Directional are Infra Red Communications? Infra Red communication systems use directional infra red beams narrowly pointed between the communication points. This has the effect of both using a very low power source as well as a limited corridor in space. The typical infra red communication system uses one tenth of a degree to one degree wide transmitter optics. How Secure are Infra Red based communication systems? Infra Red based transmission is quite secure. Infra Red communication systems use a narrow optical beam path which is not accessible unless viewing directly into the transmitter path. The existence of Infra Red beams cannot be detected with spectrum analyzers or RF meters. Various proprietary transmission protocols are used which provide additional data security. Indoor Infra Red communication cannot be eavesdropped without infiltration into the building, as well as disrupting the actual communication. How Reliable are IR Devices, and What is Link Availability? External (outdoor) use of Infra Red is normally designed with sufficient margins to withstand virtually any weather effects. Links can achieve an operational availability of 99.999%. Moreover, the actual IR devices are extremely simple, consisting only of the IR diodes, lenses, and modulator, leading to very long continuous operating life. How are Infra Red systems installed? The units must be fixed to a structure such as wall or ceiling to minimize movement, typically located in the corridor in indoor installations or on the side of a wall or the rooftop in outdoor installations. Normal installations can take less than an hour. Do any Government Agencies Monitor Safety and Health Compliance? Specification and guidance covering manufacture and usage of industrial and consumer devices is provided by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Standards and guidance on eye safety and health effects of optical devices are primarily generated by the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) of the US Department of Health and Human Services. How does Aero-Vision deploy Infra Red Communication Systems? Aero-Vision deploys state of the art Infra Red Communication Systems indoors and outdoors for many different applications. Indoor applications include data communications links for very high-speed internet access services. Certain customer premises may be more suitable to Infra Red wireless attachment to the Aero-Vision premises backbone for internet services, based on apartment/office location, proximity and visibility considerations. The systems deployed use equipment designed and manufactured to be well within any applicable ANSI standards, and comply with CDRH regulations for eye safety. |
