光发射器外文翻译.docVIP

LIGHT EMITTERS Introduction to Light Emitters Unlike the limited number of useable light detectors, there is a wide variety of light emitters that you can use for optical through～the～air communications. Your communications system will depend much more on the type of light source used than on the light detector. You should choose the light source based on the type of information that needs to be transmitted and the distance you wish cover to reach the optical receiver. In all cases the light source must be modulated (usually turned on and off or varied in intensity) to transmit information. The modulation rate will determine the maximum rate information can be transmitted. You may have to make some tradeoffs between the modulation rates needed, the distance to be covered and the amount of money you wish to spend. Many light sources listed below are useful for low to medium speed modulation rates and can have ranges up to several miles. A few others are ideal for low speed telemetry transmission that can reach beyond 50 miles. If you need high speed information transmission, there are only a few choices, and those tend to be expensive. But, as the technology improves the prices should come down. I have also described some of the latest devices that may become available to the experimenter in a few years, but only demonstration devices exist today. Light Emitting Diodes (LEDS) For most through～the～air communications applications the infrared light emitting diode (IRLED) is the most common choice. Although visible light emitting devices do exist, the infrared parts are generally chosen for their higher efficiency and more favorable wavelength, especially when used with silicon photodiode light detectors. GaAlAs IR LED GaAlAs (gallium, aluminum arsenic) infrared LEDs are the most widely used modulated IR light sources. They have moderate electrical to optical efficiencies, (at low currents 4%), and produce light that matches the common silicon PIN detector response