Implementing infrared data transmission

Since 1994, the Infrared Data Association (IrDA) has defined the physical layer and protocol standards for universal, two-way, cordless, infrared transmission data ports. The philosophy guiding these standards is that systems guarantee interoperability, and are able to coexist with other systems without generating interference. The first edition (1.0) of IrDA's IR transmission standard dealt with Serial Infrared, or SIR, for transmission rates of up to 115.2 kbit/s. Speeds up to 4 Mbit/s were introduced as Fast IR (FIR) with the release of IrDA protocol 1.1 in 1995. Other physical specifications and protocols have been added for such needs as low power and short range IR. IrDA has introduced IR Control, a 75 kbit/s carrier-based, bi-directional remote control standard, and recently a Very Fast IR, or VFIR, standard for 16 Mbit/s data transmission was approved. IrDA's standardization of IR data transfer, consisting of both mandatory and optional rule sets, has been a success since its inception. IrDA-compliant technology is already built into over 100 million electronic devices including desktop and notebook PCs, palm PCs, printers, digital cameras, public phones and kiosks, pagers, cellular phones, PDAs, electronic books, electronic wallets and other mobile devices.