A Brief Explanation of Infrared
Infrared is a light ray that is below the visible light spectrum (you can’t see it),
just like the sound spectrum extends beyond your hearing ability. The same as;
infrared transmission is used in the remote control of your TV set. A beam of
infrared light is emitted by a Light Emitting Diode (LED) from the remote control
and it is detected by a receiving diode in your TV set. When you push a certain
command on your control, the internal electronics causes the infrared light to
flicker in a programmed sequential pattern (called modulating the light beam).
That pattern is detected by the receiving diode and is electronically decoded to
send a command to the TV set to perform the command you have programmed
into your TV set.
So how does this apply to the infrared communication system which you are
about to start using? Well, the body-pack transmitter or handheld microphone
has several Light Emitting Diodes (LED) that emit infrared light beams to a sensor
located on the top of your Quantum II (that dark shining trim atop the Quantum
II). Now, when you talk into the microphone, the internal electronics in the
handheld or body-pack transmitter causes the light beam to flicker at the same
sequence as your breath varies from your voice when you speak into the
microphone. That sequential signal is detected by the sensor and a coded
electronic signal is sent to the receiver in the Quantum II. The receiver decodes
the electronic signal and converts it into electronic signal. The signal is routed to
the amplifier. The amplifier strengthens (amplifies) the electronic signal and
makes it strong enough to cause the speaker to move back and forth at the same
variation as your breath varied into the microphone. Now the replicate of your
voice is reproduced by the speaker, creating an audible sound level so all can
hear with ease.
Due to the number and strength of the diodes in the transmitter and sensitivity of
the Quantum II sensor, the IR signal will bounce off of walls, ceiling and floor and
be received by the sensor without interruption. However, infrared will not
penetrate solid surfaces, therefore; transmission will not go outside of the room.
Some words of caution and limitations of infrared
:
Be sure that the path of transmission between the emitter and sensor is not
obstructed.
Infrared will not work outdoors in sunlight
Dark soft surfaces do not reflect infrared very well and can cause some limitation
to distance of transmission (drop outs).
Rooms larger than 2500 Sq. Ft. or have high ceiling can begin to exceed the
ultimate performance of the Quantum II.
If you should experience drop outs in certain areas, you could install an
additional sensor
(IWS-50)
to extend the system performance.
