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.