Thinking Outside The Box With Digital infrared

Before I share these interesting applications I just want to give a little education on the technology of Digital Infrared. I think this will help open your mind to the capabilities of Digital Infrared.

Even the though the frequency carriers are similar, the signal differs from analog to digital. The Digital Infrared system uses high frequency carrier signals (typically 2-8 MHz) to prevent interference problems with modern light sources. It also converts the incoming analog system to a digital signal which is compressed to increase the amount of information that can be distributed on each carrier. The compression factor is also related to the required audio quality. When the signal is received, it is demodulated and converted back to an analog audio signal. The Digital Infrared system can transmit audio in four different quality modes:

Okay, it’s time to think outside the box. Here are a couple of applications that are not a typical way of using Digital Infrared but that are providing a great solution for distributing audio.

The NASCAR Museum

The Riverside Community College (RCC) Early Childhood Education Program provides an educational and practical foundation for students interested in working with children from infancy through third grade. In addition to theoretical principles, the curriculum offers practical skills and on-site training that will prepare students for employment in the field of Early Childhood Education.

The center has two large rooms where the children can interact, play, and learn. Each of the two rooms has a glass wall between them forming two smaller rooms for a total of four rooms. The glass walls allow for observation by teachers, parents, students and doctors. There are two alcoves that allow a view of two rooms.

The Digital IR Radiator is placed in the alcove. Four microphones have been placed in each room to provide audio to the observers. The microphones are hanging shotgun style microphones and each microphone has a dedicated channel on the Digital Infrared system. It’s designed so that students, faculty, and parents can observe children without the kids knowing they are being monitored.

Observers are using Listen/DIS DR 6032 Digital IR 32-Channel Receivers to scroll thru and pick up the audio from each microphone. Observers check out pack and headphone then follow instructions on the wall.

This solution allows observers to easily monitor each child in different developmental stages. Listen products are giving these students and professionals the ability to assist and guide children as they grow.