IR Sensor is one of the best application of wireless IR Technology. So the first question comes in our mind is, What is an IR sensor?
IR sensor is an electronic device that emits and detects infrared radiation to sense its surroundings.
Infrared radiation(IR) was accidentally discovered by William Herchel in 1800. IR is invisible to the human eyes because its wavelength is greater than the visible light.
How does the IR sensor work?
The basic concept of IR sensor working is an obstacle detection. IR transmitter transmits an infrared signal and this signal bounces back from the obstacles and received by IR receiver and according to this data sensor output is determined.
Types of IR Sensor
There are two types of IR Sensor
1. Active Infrared Sensor
2. Passive Infrared Sensor
Active Infrared Sensor
The active infrared sensor emits and detects infrared signals. These sensors act as Proximity Sensors. Active infrared sensor has two parts one Light Emitting Diode(LED) and a receiver. When signal bounces back from an obstacle then it is received by the receiver. These sensors are commonly used in obstacle detection.
Passive Infrared Sensor
Passive Infrared Sensors do not emit light they only detect infrared radiation. Passive Infrared Sensor works with the following technologies:
Infrared filter: for blocking all other wavelengths of light.
Housing Unit: to prevent it from environmental issues like humidity etc.
Pyroelectric sensor
Fresno lens: to receive lights from any angle to a single point.
These sensors are commonly used in motion-based detection like in home security systems.
Applications of Infrared Radiation Sensor
1. Tracking
These are generally used in missile guidance and send signals from a source to track it. These missiles radiate infrared from its body like other bodies such as the vehicles, human etc.
2. Spectral Imaging
It can be used to track nanoparticles particles inside bodies or living organisms.
3. Night Vision Devices
It is useful in night vision which converts photons of light to electrons and then amplify them using electrical and chemical processes.
4. Astronomy
It is very useful in astronomy to detect objects.