How the Universal Remote Control Works?

A remote control is an electronic device that is used for controlling TV, air conditioning or radio device. An ordinary remote control replacement usually operates via infrared signals or radio frequency signals. While, universal remote control can decode infrared signals of various remote controllers, and store the received infrared signals, then send the infrared information again.

Universal home remote mainly consist of microprocessor integrated chip that forms TV remote signal, crystal oscillator, amplifier transistor, infrared light emitting diode, infrared receiver diode, keyboard matrix and memory, etc.

Many universal TV remotes have some type of backlit screen, which allow you to use remote even the light is turned down.

Most of universal remote controls have flash memory function. The programmed dates will not lose even you change the battery. What’s more, the charging cradles ensure you not lose programmed memory.

More than 95 percent of household appliances on the market use infrared remote control. So, how the universal control works?

1.    The visible light that human can see is listed by wavelengths from long to short, followed by red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue and purple. The wavelength or red light is from 0.62 to 0.76um, and the purple’s wavelength is from 0.38 to 0.46um. The wavelength shorter than purple light is called ultraviolet light, and the wavelength longer than red light is called infrared light. The smart universal remote transmit control signal through the wavelength between 0.76 and 1.5um.

2.    The commonly universal infrared remote is generally divided into emitting and receiving parts. The main component of the emitting part is an infrared light emitting diode, which is a special light emitting diode. It is different from ordinary light emitting diode due to its internal materials. It emits infrared light instead of visible light when a certain voltage is applied to both sides. The infrared light wavelength that emitted from the infrared light emitting diode is about 940nm. The appearance is same as the wavelength from ordinary light emitting diode, but the colors are different. Infrared light emitting diode is generally black, dark blue and transparent.

Understanding clearly how the universal remote control works, I think it is much easier for us to choose a right smart TV remote when you need to change the old one.