How Remote Control Works: A Simple Guide

Such a remote control simplifies our lives, and we can turn on the other channel on the TV or increase/decrease the sound volume without walking to the device. But have you ever asked yourself how these small devices operate? Alright, it’s time to discuss remote controls and their classes in simple words!

What is remote control?

Remote control is an object held in hand used to command other object to do something—like switch on, switch off, move, adjust, or set to a particular condition, such as a TV or toy car. Indeed, you have to imagine an executioner that sends signals to your television to make the desired actions!

How does it work?

Remote controls operate through something called infrared light. This light is not visible to the naked eye; however, it is a directed flashlight, which transfers signals to your TV or other devices.

1. Pressing Buttons: When you decide to switch on a device using a remote control, you press a particular button that emits a particular code. For instance, pushing a “volume up” button generates a different signal from that triggered when pushing the “power” button.
2. Infrared Light: As we learn, within the push buttons of the remote there is a small light bulb that emits invisible infrared light. This particular light has the function of transmitting the signal using the method of flashes. Every one of them in fact creates a unique flash that works like a unique secret code.
3. TV or Device Receives the Signal: The TV or other device has a little sensor that picks up the signal from the flashes in the remote. First of all, the sensor receives the signal and when it recognizes the message in this signal, it will do what you want it to do, for instance, changing the channel.

Fun fact: Infrared Light

Infrared light is one of these lights that is more or less invisible to human beings but is however present in the environment. It’s the same kind of light that makes night-vision goggles work!

Remote control in Toy Cars

Not all types of remote controls use Infrared light, some use Radio waves for transmission of information. It can also be seen in the case of toy cars and drones. Radio waves can go further thus you can control your toy car with ease even if it is not close to you.

Summary

Remote control operates on light or radio frequency which makes it to send aignal to a particular device. It seems like encrypting a message that only the TV or the toy can decipher!

Conclusion

Now you know how an ordinary remote control for electronics operates! The next time they change the channel or drive a toy car, they will know the hows and whys of what went on.