Infrared Light Emitting Diode

What Does Infrared Light Emitting Diode Mean?

An infrared light-emitting diode (IRLED) is a special-purpose LED that emits infrared signals. Specifically, it is a semiconductor device that releases infrared rays when exposed to electrical current.

Techopedia Explains Infrared Light Emitting Diode

Unlike LEDs that project parts of the visible light spectrum, IRLEDs are not used to provide lighting. They are, instead, most commonly used in various signal transfer systems, such as in remote controls for televisions, night-vision cameras and other devices. An IRLED beams light with data signals to control the device. IRLEDs are also used in security installations, cameras and other kinds of technologies. They are useful because of their low energy consumption and low heat generation.

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Margaret Rouse

Technology expert

Margaret is an award-winning writer and educator known for her ability to explain complex technical topics to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles in the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret’s idea of a fun day is to help IT and business professionals to learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.

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