tom@syssoft.com (Rodentia) (05/27/91)
There appear to be a number of high speed infrared Local Area Networks (LANs) in the works from IBM and others. The initial claims are that they will be in the multiMegaBit data rate range, be omnidirectional (or nearly so), and have a reasonable range (30 feet or more). The Go computer (the one with the pen based operating system) seems to have these features (with the exception of speed) and I beleive it is currently available. The question is this: How do they do that?!? I have been trying to find parts that are sensitive, range-independant, and fast. They just don't seem to be out there. The closest I came was a TDA4060 IR amplifier unit, but could not locate a vendor (I checked Signetics and Philips and got _nowhere_). I did find Signetics TDA3047 and TDA3048, but they did not really come with design rules. They also don't seem to achieve the high data rates existing products seem able to get. What sort of technologies are involved in infrared LANs that don't need to be carefully pointed? Do any vendors sell integrated units or at least have extensive app notes? Thank you. -- Thomas Roden | tom@syssoft.com Systems and Software, Inc. | Voice: (714) 833-1700 x454 "If the Beagle had sailed here, Darwin would have | FAX: (714) 833-1900 come up with a different theory altogether." - me |