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23 August 2019

Infrared sensor advantages and disadvantages

The infrared sensor is a device which uses infrared waves to sens characteristics of the surrounding. It is used to measure heat emitted by an object or human being. It can be also used for data communication for monitoring and control applications. Here this post gives information about the pros and cons of an infrared sensor to better understand this topic.

Advantages of infrared transmission:

  • They do not require contact with the object for detection.
  • It provides secure communication.
  • They are no leakage of data due to beam directionality IR radiation.
  • They are not affected by corrosion or oxidation.
  • It provides good stability over time.
  • It delivers high repeatability.
  • It has response time faster than a thermocouple.
  • No corrosion or oxidation can be affected by the accuracy of the infrared sensor
  • They have very strong noise immunity.
  • Their low power requirement makes them suitable for most electronic devices such as laptops, telephones, PDAs.
  • Infrared motion sensor detects motion in daytime and night time reliably.
  • This sensor does not require any contact with the product to be sensed. The infrared devices are more appropriate for a target which are close than 10 mm.
  • They are capable of detecting motion in the presence or absence of light almost with the same reliability.
  • The battery used infrared devices last for a long duration due to lower power consumption.
  • The infrared device can measure the distance to the soft object which may not easily be detected by ultrasound.
  • They are physically small in size and are more affordable.
  • It provides secured communication due to line of sight or points to point mode of communication.

Disadvantages of infrared sensor:

  • The required line of sight.
  • Limited range, support a shorter range.
  • Get blocked by common objects.
  • The transmission data rate is low.
  • Can be affected by environmental conditions such as rain, fog, dust, pollution, sunlight, smoke, etc.
  • Infrared waves at high power can damage eyes.
  • In monitor and control applications, it can control only one device at one time. Moreover, it is difficult to control things that are mot in LOS. It requires line of sight between transmitter and receiver to communicate.