Free ambient IR data transmission, IR remote control as well as most optoelectronic sensors and light barrier systems work with an optical wavelength between 870 nm and 950 nm. The emitter and detector components are highly efficient in this near IR wavelength band and can be manufactured at a low cost.
Data transmission in free space demands high interference immunity of the IR receiving modules. The receiver unit, waiting to receive signals, is bombarded with different optical and electromagnetic noise signals, which are omnipresent in the ambient or generated by the electrical appliance itself. All-optical sources with an emission spectrum in the reception bandwidth (830 nm to 1100 nm) of the detector can be considered disturbance sources. These are mainly fluorescent lamps, incandescent lamps and sunlight. Many plasma displays can also produce significant emissions in the optical band of the IR transmission.
Calculating transmission ranges in the simplest case assumes a quadratic relationship between the distance d and the irradiance of the receiver Ee. Given emitter intensity Ie, the maximum distance is calculated as:
When the responsivity of the receiver module and the intensity of the transmitter are known, the transmission range can either be calculated using this expression or read from Fig. 2, where this quadratic equation is shown graphically. The typical distance shown in the curve was calculated using a threshold irradiance of 0.12 mW/m2, which is equivalent to the typical value specified for the TSOP48 or TSOP22 series. The maximum threshold sensitivity is specified at 0.25 mW/m2 for these devices, which is used for calculating the worst-case transmission distance. The typical intensity values of selected emitters are listed in Table 1.
For example, operating a TSAL6200 emitter at 500 mA pulsed forward current leads to an intensity of 360 mW/sr.
The common method of modulation for IR remote control is Pulse Code Modulation (PCM). This method of encoding data enables transmission over long distances using a receiver with limited bandwidth and good sensitivity.
An emitter for the IR signal with high brightness and efficiency is also available from Vishay. IR emitters with a wavelength of 940 nm are the best match for IR receivers using carrier frequencies between 30 kHz and 56 kHz.
The maximum possible transmission distance of an IR remote control system depends on various parameters but is mainly conditional on the radiant intensity of the emitter (Ie) and the sensitivity of the receiver (Ee min.). Additionally, the reflective conditions of the test room, the optical transmittance of windows or light guides in front of the receiver and the disturbance conditions influence the maximum distance obtainable. Of course, also the minimum possible distance (saturation irradiance) is an important parameter for a remote control system. The TSOP IR receiver modules from Vishay will work even with zero distance between the emitter and the receiver module.
These data result (in combination with the Vishay receiver module TSOP48xx) in a theoretical transmission range of 54 m (see Fig. 2).
In practice, the relationship between irradiance and transmission distance does not exactly follow a quadratic curve. In most cases, the actual distance is longer than calculated by the expression. This means that the example calculated here can be used as a worst-case in free air and in reality, better transmission ranges are attained. However, whenever an opaque window or light pipe is used between the receiver and the emitter, the actual transmission distance will be reduced.
Comparisons of remote control systems are often performed in long corridors. As indicated in Fig. 2, the transmission range is increased above the typical distance under these test conditions because of the reflective properties of the walls, the ceilings and other objects. Thus in a corridor, the function of the irradiance vs. distance does not obey a quadratic expression.
The required levels for transmission optical power in an enclosed room can be estimated by using other approximations. If we assume that the whole inner surface of a room (e.g. floor area of 30 m2, the height of 2.5 m) is irradiated with the emission of an infrared source with an overall irradiance of Ee = 0.3 mW/m2, then an emitted radiant flux of 35 mW is necessary (surface = 115 m2, 100 % efficiency). With an 80 % reflection loss, about 175 mW of emitted radiation will be required for reliable reception in the whole room.
175 mW is a value, which can be achieved with an emitter TSAL6400 operating at a peak forward current of 450 mA. Under these conditions, no direct path between the emitter and the receiver is assumed, but that radiation will reach the detector after at least one reflection. This kind of remote control system is very user friendly for the customer because he can aim the handset in any direction of his living room. An IR emitter with a wide emitting angle will also provide this kind of comfortable remote control system.
TABLE 1 – EMITTERS FOR TSOP RECEIVER MODULES
All IR emitting diodes shown in Table 1 are suitable for use with the Vishay IR receivers for standard remote control applications (30 kHz to 56 kHz).
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