Advantages and Disadvantages of Infrared sensor

This page covers advantages and disadvantages of Infrared sensor. It mentions Infrared sensor advantages and Infrared sensor disadvantages.

Definition: The Infrared sensor is a device which uses infrared waves to sense characteristics of surroundings. It is used to measure heat emitted by object or human beings. It is also used to detect motion of the object. It is also used for data communication for monitoring and control applications.

Following are the characteristics of Infrared waves:
• Frequency Range: 300 GHz and 400 THz
• Wavelength Range: 1 mm to 750 nm
• Sensing range or distance: 10 to 30 meters.
• Data rate: 300 to 115200 bps (Serial Infrared), 4 Mbps (Fast Infrared)
• Number of devices: 2 in connection mode
• Modulation type: Pulse Position Modulation

The Infrared communication network works in two modes viz. point to point and diffuse.
Refer Infrared sensor working>> and Active vs Passive Motion Sensor>> for more information.

Advantages of Infrared sensor

Following are the advantages of Infrared sensor:
➨It provides secured communication due to line of sight or point-to-point mode of communication.
➨The battery used in infrared devices last for long duration due to lower power consumption.
➨Infrared motion sensors detect motion in daytime and nighttime reliably.
➨The sensor does not require any contact with the product to be sensed. The infrared devices are more appropriate for targets which are close than 10 mm.
➨Infrared devices can measure distance to soft objects which may not be easily detected by ultrasound.
➨They are physically smaller in size and are more affordable.
➨It has response time faster than thermocouple.
➨It provides good stability over time.
➨No corrosion or oxidation can affect the accuracy of infrared sensor.
➨It delivers high repeatability.

Disadvantages of Infrared sensor

Following are the disadvantages of Infrared sensor:
➨Infrared frequencies are affected by hard objects (e.g. walls, doors) , smoke, dust, fog, sunlight etc. Hence it does not work through walls or doors.
➨Infrared waves at high power can damage eyes.
➨In monitor & control application, it can control only one device at one time. Moreover it is difficult to control things which are not in LOS (Line of Sight). It requires line of sight between transmitter and receiver to communicate.
➨It supports shorter range and hence it performance degrades with longer distances.
➨It supports lower data rate transmission compare to wired transmission.
➨Also refer advantages and disadvantages of Handheld Infrared based Thermometer >>.

Infrared RELATED LINKS

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