Infrapunaliittymä

Infrapunaliittymä, often referred to as IrDA (Infrared Data Association) in English, is a short-range wireless communication technology that uses infrared light to transmit data between devices. It operates similarly to a TV remote control but is designed for data transfer rather than command signals. The technology requires a direct line of sight between the transmitting and receiving devices, as infrared light, like visible light, is blocked by physical objects.

Infrapunaliittymä was widely adopted in the late 1990s and early 2000s for connecting peripherals such as PDAs, laptops, printers, and mobile phones. Common applications included transferring files, synchronizing contacts, and printing documents wirelessly. The data transfer rates typically ranged from 9.6 kbit/s up to 4 Mbit/s, with later standards offering higher speeds. Due to its line-of-sight requirement and relatively low speed compared to emerging technologies, its popularity has declined significantly.

Modern devices have largely replaced infrapunaliittymä with more advanced wireless technologies like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, which offer greater range, higher speeds, and do not require a direct line of sight. While some older devices may still feature infrapunaliittymä ports, it is now considered a legacy technology and is rarely found in new consumer electronics. Despite its decline, it played a crucial role in the early development of wireless personal area networking.