What Is a Wireless Remote Controller?
Wireless remote controllers utilize radio waves for remote control operations. They are typically used to operate televisions, hobby radio control units, and other equipment using infrared rays or short-range wireless communication. Home-use remote controllers are limited by obstruction-induced communication failures and reduced stability over longer distances.
Industrial wireless remote controllers overcome these limitations and are designed with safety, workability, and robustness in mind, distinct from home-use and hobbyist remote controllers.
Uses of Wireless Remote Controllers
Wireless remote controllers are used for operating household devices like TVs, air conditioners, and garage doors. In industrial applications, they control machinery such as overhead cranes, hoists, chain blocks, tower cranes, transport hoists, construction equipment, and various other industrial machines. Recent trends include operation via Wi-Fi using smartphones and tablets.
Designed for enhanced safety and efficiency, industrial wireless remote controllers are durable and easily maintainable, suitable for demanding work environments.
Principle of Wireless Remote Controller
Wireless remote controllers consist of a transmitter and a receiver. Control signals are transmitted as radio waves and then converted back into control signals by the receiver. When a transmitter key is pressed, the signal data is modulated and emitted as radio waves. The receiver then extracts, demodulates, and outputs this data as control signals for the equipment.
How to Select Wireless Remote Controllers
Selection criteria include ease of use, accuracy, safety, and durability. For non-critical applications, inexpensive hobbyist or general-purpose remote controllers or smartphone/tablet controls may suffice. In harsh work environments, consider factors like temperature, humidity, strength, and maintenance ease.
Frequency selection is also crucial. Infrared remote controls, common in home and hobby use, are less suitable for industrial applications due to directional limitations and ambient light interference. Industrial remote controls typically use frequency bands like 300 MHz, 429 MHz, 1.2 GHz, and 2.4 GHz. The 2.4 GHz band is popular due to standardization and low cost, but may suffer from interference due to widespread use in various devices.
The 429 MHz and 1.2 GHz bands offer more reliable communication, while the 300 MHz band, with lower power and shorter transmission distance, is suitable for dense deployments of remote controllers.
Other Information on Wireless Remote Controllers
1. Types of Modulation Methods
Primary Modulation Method
- Amplitude Shift Modulation (ASK): Modulation method that changes amplitude, used in RFID, ETC, JJY, etc.
- Frequency Shift (FSK): A modulation method that changes frequency, efficient for Sub-GHz bands with simple circuits.
- Phase Shifted (PSK): Modulation method that changes the phase of the carrier wave, used in GPS and ZigBee.
- Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM): Modulation scheme changing amplitude and phase, providing higher transmission speed but requiring more power. Used in LTE and digital broadcasting.
Secondary Modulation Method
- Direct Spreading (DSSS): Spreading method using a pseudo-random waveform. Used in wireless LAN and ZigBee.
- Frequency Hopping (FHSS): Communication by constantly shifting frequencies. Used in Bluetooth.
2. Frequency
Radiowaves are electromagnetic waves with frequencies up to 3 million megahertz. Different frequencies offer distinct characteristics: lower frequencies have less attenuation and longer transmission distances, while higher frequencies provide greater information content but shorter transmission distances.