Infrared Apps

Infrared (IrDA) Solutions

In brief

IrDA is a bidirectional (half-duplex) short-range (1 meter) point-to-point communication WPAN technology that uses infrared light. Because of its error checking protocols, flow control, SAR and automatic transmission capabilities, it can be used to transfer large amounts of data very fast. The bandwidth can be shared in a multipoint configuration with up to 16 devices.

It offers a certain level of security since it requires physical LOS (hence, good only for adhoc connections). A hacker will have to be in very close proximity to access any device or data.

IrDA becomes cost prohibitive when implementing different frequencies to allow coexisence of multiple connexions as possible with 802.11 networks. The common use of one standard frequency(in most IrDA devices) and spatial separation makes IrDA very inexpensive.

IrLAN protocol serves as a convenient connection between portable PCs and office LANs. Three models of operation:computers attaching to LANs through IrDA APs, two computers communicating with each other as if on a LAN, or a computer attaching to a LAN through an already connected computer with an IrDA port in a bridged or routed fashion.

Common Applications

LAPTOP, MOBILE PHONES AND TV DATA COMMUNICATIONS

Digital photos taken with a digital camera can be quickly transferred to a PC with the IrTran-P standard or transferred to a television screen with the IrSimple standard. Laptops and involved devices must have IrDA ports or use USB-to-IrDA adapters. Mobile phone data can be stored or restored with PCs or exchanged between mobile phones

POINT-OF-SALE SYSTEMS

These usually come with an infrared connected printer. Vending machines(or cash registers, gas pumps, or any other transaction point) supporting IrFM allow for point-and-pay (or point-and-shoot, or position-and-pay) financial transactions. With these concepts, PDA can replace needs for physical cash and credit cards. Purchasing info is transferred automatically to the payment transaction device and the amount is deducted from your checking account or charged to credit card account. However, it should be used only with vendors who implement security mechanism(PIN, session encryption, digital signatures or suggest fingerprints) since prone to theft and unauthorized use.

PDA SYNCHRONIZATION

PDAs supporting sync using IrDA can maximize portability and save time. For the travelling worker, there is no longer a need either for a laptop’s docking station or for a PDA cradle. Data objects like electronic business cards can be transferred between PDAs with the IrOBEX standard during meetings or travels.