Infrared Data Association or IrDA

Infrared Data Association or IrDA defines a standard of wireless data transmission and reception though the technology which is based on light rays in the range of infrared spectrum. Infrared Data Association or IrDA was formed in 1993.

Basics on Infrared Data Association or IrDA

Infrared Data Association or IrDA standards support a wide range of electrical, computer and communications equipment, allowing bidirectional communication between two extremes at speeds ranging from 9600 bps to 4 Mbps. This technology was present in many laptops, mobile phones since 90s and early 2000s, especially in the devices from leading manufacturers such as Nokia and Ericsson, akthough they are still usually present but in usage has gradually replaced by technologies like wifi and bluetoth. VFIR has the theoretical speeds up to 16 Mbps.

Features and Protocols used by Infrared Data Association or IrDA

Except connecting to older devices, practically the usage of the technology of Infrared Data Association or IrDA is not needed anymore.  The following information are provided for troubleshooting while connecting with devices which has no other option to connect other than the technology of Infrared Data Association or IrDA, plus knowing about even a fully rejected technology is important as it might give idea to develop a newer technology.

There are advantages and disadvantages of the technology of Infrared Data Association or IrDA future standards. It usually supports a cone like narrow angle of 30 °, operates only in a range of 1 meter and supports a wide range of hardware and software platforms.

Applications are on Laptop Computers, Mobile Phones, Printers, Storage devices, Digital Cameras etc. There are various protocols like PHY (Physical Layer Signaling), IrLAP (Link Access Protocol), IrLMP (Link Management Protocol), IAS (Information Access Service), Tiny TP, IrOBEX, IrDA IrCOMM etc.