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An infrared (IR) computer port is a component that uses a beam of infrared light to enable short-range, line-of-sight, wireless data transfer between devices. It consists of an infrared transmitter (a diode) and a receiver, utilizing the IrDA standard. While once common for connecting laptops and phones to peripherals, IR has been largely replaced by Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for its limitations, including the need for a direct line of sight and shorter range compared to modern technologies.

How an IR Port Works

Components: An IR port contains an infrared light-emitting diode (LED) for transmitting data and an IR detector for receiving it.

Data Transmission: The IR port uses infrared light, which is a spectrum of light invisible to the human eye, to send data.

Modulation: Data is sent by modulating the IR light, often with a carrier signal (like 38kHz), to distinguish it from background noise and allow for clear interpretation by the receiver.

Line of Sight: A critical requirement is a clear, unobstructed line of sight between the transmitter and receiver for communication to occur.