What Is IrDA?
IrDA means Infrared Data Association. It is an organization that sets communication standards for infrared. Since IrDA was developed in 1993 so it had became a governing body for large group of infrared technologies. Old television remote controls are only one way which means they are capable of sending information but cannot receive it.
IrDA was formed to maintain some standards because Bi-directional infrared devices were more complicated than one- way infrared devices.
The devices which use IrDA are cameras, hand held portables, cell phones, printers, new smart bank cards and smart remotes with display screens. IrDA devices have become popular because the cost to manufacture these devices is very low. Infrared is also a secure medium so it can’t be hijacked and does not provide unauthorized access because these beams are directional.
The IrDA devices are intended to work within a range of 3 feet (1m). But practically some devices have range about 10 feet (3m) while some have range even smaller than 3 feet. 16 Mbps is the bandwidth that IR waves can reach. But with the advancement in technology it can reach up to 100 Mbps. 1-4 Mbps of bandwidth can also be achieved which is generally used in devices like cameras and printers that have parallel ports.
IrDA has assigned different levels with lower ones below the higher ones. The level specified by IrDA which is necessary in all the IrDA devices is called the Infrared Physical Layer Specification (IrPHY). IrPHY includes all the parameters like speed range, angle limits, modulation and distance range for a particular IrDA device.
Infrared Link Access Protocol (IrLAP) and Infrared Link Management Protocol (IrLMP) are the second and third layers of IrDA specification respectively. The way out by which an IrDA device finds and connects another IrDA device is determined by IrLAP while IrLMP helps in finding different data channels and also helps outlining how service provider lists can be made available to the user.
Tiny TP, IrFM and IrLAN are the protocols that an IrDA device may use. The guidelines about how IrDA device connects to local-area network are provided by IrLAN protocol. For providing little data interference and to transmit bulk messages Tiny TP protocol is used. IrFM protocol is used in devices like cell phones or PDAs which can be used as a source of funds. You need to just point the device towards IrFM enabled devices like soda machines or next-gen subway terminals to deduct money from your account. It also performs the transaction in an automated way.
Category: Technology