Remotes commonly use infrared (IR) technology instead of microwaves or radio waves for several reasons:
Line of sight: Infrared signals require a direct line of sight between the remote control and the device it is controlling. This ensures that the signal does not interfere with other devices in the vicinity. Microwaves and radio waves, on the other hand, can propagate through walls and obstacles, potentially causing unintended interactions with multiple devices in the vicinity.
Interference: Infrared signals are less prone to interference compared to microwaves or radio waves. Microwaves and radio waves are used by various devices such as Wi-Fi routers, cell phones, and Bluetooth devices, which can lead to signal conflicts and interference. Infrared signals, being limited to line-of-sight communication, are less likely to encounter such interference.
Energy efficiency: Infrared signals require relatively low power to transmit short-range signals. Microwaves and radio waves typically require higher power to transmit signals over longer distances, making them less energy-efficient for the purpose of remote control applications.
Security: Infrared signals are less susceptible to unauthorized interception or eavesdropping compared to microwaves or radio waves, which can be intercepted by other devices tuned to the same frequency. Infrared signals are generally limited to a short range, reducing the risk of unintended signal interception.
While infrared technology has its advantages for remote control applications, it also has limitations. The need for a direct line of sight can be inconvenient at times, as it requires pointing the remote directly at the device being controlled. Additionally, infrared signals have limited range and can be affected by bright ambient light sources that may interfere with the signal transmission.