What is the maximum effective range for infrared (IR) data transmission?

Infrared (IR) data transmission primarily relies on line-of-sight communication, meaning that obstructions between the transmitting and receiving devices can significantly impact its effectiveness. The maximum effective range for IR communication typically extends up to 5 meters in practical applications. Within this range, devices such as remote controls or data transmitters can effectively send signals without significant loss in quality or signal strength.

This limit is attributed to several factors including the power of the IR transmitter, the sensitivity of the receiver, and environmental conditions like lighting and physical barriers. Beyond 5 meters, the IR signals can diminish, leading to unreliable data transmission.

For this reason, while options indicating longer ranges may seem plausible, they exceed the practical and tested limits of common IR data transmission technology. Thus, the range of 5 meters is established as the maximum effective distance for infrared communication in most contexts.