Infrared on Laptop
- History
Infrared of the Data Association is actually an electromagnetic radiation which has a frequency range of 1 to 430 THz. Infrared wavelengths are in fact longer than the wavelengths of visible lights but shorter than that of radiation microwaves in Terahertz. The bright sunlight has an irradiance of about 1 kilowatt/m2 at sea level. This particular amount of energy contains 527 watts of infrared radiation, 445 watts of visible light, and 32 watts of ultra violet radiation.
- Optical Communications
Infrared is widely used in optics communications. The segments of the infrared used in optic communications have seven divisions, making 7 bands basing on the light availability that can transmit or absorb materials such as detectors and fibers.
The several wavelengths that Infrared provides are; O-band which has wavelength range of 1260 to 1360 mm; E-band which has wave length of 1360 to 1460 mm; S-band with a range of 1460 to 1530 mm; C-band starting from 1530 until 1565 mm; L-band with minimum length of 1565 and maximum length of 1625 mm; U-band is the longest with 1625 mm extending until 1675 mm.
Note: The above band called the C band. It is the most dominant band used for longer distance telecommunication and networking.
Use of Infrared in Laptops & Communications
Infrared for laptops is actually IRDA port; a wireless port that uses Infrared for transporting data and reception of data. This particular infrared is normally an invisible light which is also used in remote controls for TV.
Infrared is very useful in most computers as computer files can be transferred from one computer to another wirelessly. Also, infrared or invisible light is used to communicate with certain mobile phone without the need for wires.
Since infrared necessitates communication pathways, to better transport data files, it is highly suggested that two computers should be placed in front of each other.
The use of Bluetooth in Laptops
Bluetooth is an open wireless technology that allows communication between fixed or mobile devices such as cell phones and computers. This wireless technology is capable of allowing various computers or cell phones to accept and receive data files over short distances. The network being shared by these computers whose communication is made possible by the particular wireless technology, is called the Personal Area Networks or PANs. The first company to ever create this type of wireless communication was ERICSSON, an alternative to RS-232 data cable wires. One of the many features of Bluetooth is the fact that it can actually connect several computers or devices without any problems in synchronization. Today, there is another group that handles this type of technology called the Bluetooth Special Interest Group.
Bluetooth vs. WiFi
There are similarities between the features of Bluetooth and WiFi applications such as the ability to set up networks without problems of synchronization, printing, and transferring data files. WiFi is generally designed for residential equipment such as laptops and its applications. The WiFi is categorized as WLAN or wireless local area networks and is intended to replace cable wires most especially for local area connections or network access in the work areas.
On the other hand, Bluetooth is designed for non-residential equipment and its applications. Bluetooth category is WPAN or wireless personal area network which is to replace cabling in various personal applications, such as the smart energy functionalities at home.
Therefore, WiFi is a version of a normal Ethernet network only that it is wireless and requires certain configuration to set up the shared resources or transmit files as well as set up audio links. For instance, headsets and hands free gadgets or devices. The radio frequency for both WiFi and Bluetooth is the same but WiFi has higher and greater power resulting to better and faster communication and sharing of files.
Bluetooth vs. Infrared
Unlike Infrared which requires both computers or devices, as much as possible, facing each other for better communication and transmittal of files, Bluetooth does not require that two computers to face each other to successfully and effectively transport data. This is because the Bluetooth technology is designed to share and create a network even in short distances at lower power consumption. In other words, Bluetooth does not require a communication pathway and therefore, unlike Infrared, there is no need for a line of sight.
Other applications of Bluetooth are the following:
- Wireless communication between two cell phones can be possible as well as hands free headset.
- Little bandwidth is necessary when using a Bluetooth technology. PCs can communicate with each other wirelessly.
- Wireless communication is also possible by Bluetooth between computer devices such as mouse, keyboard, as well as printers.
- Transfer of information may happen in test equipment, medical equipment, GPS receivers, bar code scanners, and other traffic control devices.
- Wireless bridge is made possible when using Bluetooth, most especially between a pair of industrial Ethernet (e.g. PROFINET) networks.
In sum, Infrared was developed not just for military purposes to see their target during night time, but also to provide wireless communications between equipment such as laptops. Infrared is developed to enable the sharing of data files from one device to another but this is found limited beyond 10 meters. Hence, developers and programmers, particularly the pioneering company- Ericsson, created the Bluetooth to augment to the limitations of the previous wireless technology. Bluetooth is not a substitute for infrared technology but rather an enhancement most especially in terms of small value, low cost, low power, and extent of accomplishment in networking. The range of connectivity is also wider for Bluetooth. Infrared is better used for direct connections while the Bluetooth is capable of connecting from one point to another or more at a specified range. In contrast, the WiFi is far better since it can connect at a wider range of distance and at lower energy cost, yet higher efficiency in transmitting data files. As opposed to Bluetooth, the WiFi can support connectivity even more than 10 meter of networking range.
In addition, the name Bluetooth was selected due to Danish king, Herald Bluetooth.
