How Do Remote Controls Work?

Remote controls are changing the way people live. Now, people can live conveniently with just a few touches of the remote control. Different types of remote controls are being used almost anywhere -- in commercial offices, industrial establishments, and households. The use of remote controls is so vast that they become one of the necessities in life. Have you ever thought how they actually work?

Types of Remote Controls

The different kinds and appearance of these practical gadgets may seem all the same to you but they actually are categorized into two types. There are infrared controls and radio frequency controls. Both can be made from membrane switch or from a mechanical switch. The infrared types work by producing impulses of infrared lights for a certain device. The radio frequency types, on the other hand, work the same way but use radio waves to send impulses to devices.

The capabilities also differ from one another. The infrared types need a clear straight line to reach a device, at a distance for up to 30 feet. The radio frequency types do not need a straight open space, and can penetrate through walls. They can reach a device for up to 100 feet.

How They Work

As you can observe, remote controls do have different buttons. Each button has a corresponding code used to achieve a specific function. This is just like people signaling each other for communication; the only difference is that remote controls use radio frequency or infrared lights. Every button has a distinct code. For example, when you push ‘1,’ the code will be one second of flash, and when you push ‘2,’ two flashes are transmitted. The devices will pick up the signal and transmit a code to its system. Then, it will function just as it was programmed for.

Practical Application

Almost all devices are remotely controlled. Televisions, entertainment gadgets, laptops, and even microwave ovens can come with remote controls to provide comfort and convenience. There are different designs of remote controls and these come with different functions. Currently, the membrane switch types are more popular than the conventional ones.