Development of testers for indication of infrared radiation

The development of infrared channels (GSM mobile phones, digital cameras, computers and peripherals, CD players, infrared security, remote controls) has necessitated identification of infrared radiation sources and transmitters. This is done by means of infrared testers. The paper proposes a classification of such testers - passive and active infrared testers for continuous and pulsed infrared radiation. The paper presents areas of application of infrared testers for indication of laser and LED infrared radiation, as well as methods for their dimensioning. Emphasis is laid on photodetectors for infrared testers, mainly Si PIN photodetectors with a maximum spectral sensitivity of 900 nm. The photodiodes in infrared testers operate in both photodiode and photocell modes, as well as that of infrared testers with specialized infrared detectors. The passive testers discussed are the infrared indicator card and the infrared tester with a photocell and a headphone. These testers convert infrared radiation into visible (red or green) radiation or into an acoustic signal. IR radiation can be continuous, pulsed, sinusoidal, modulated, coded, etc. The following devices are used as photoreceivers in the testers: photodiodes; phototransistors; integrated photoreceiver modules. Testers of IR radiation are divided into active and passive.