Detectors Within The Electromagnetic Spectrum Example

Detectors Within The Electromagnetic Spectrum Example Detectors Within The Electromagnetic Spectrum â€" Essay Example > OUTLINEIntroductionCharacteristic of Infrared RadiationEmission of Infrared LightAdvantages of Infrared DetectorsDisadvantages of Infrared DetectorsApplication of Infrared Radiation in Security DetectorsMicrowave detectorsMicrowave RadiationOperations of A microwave detectorDisadvantages of using a microwave detectorPhoto-electric beam detectorsCharacteristics of visible lightAdvantages of Photo beam detectorsConclusion    INTRODUCTION                       Security systems consist of electronic alarms designed to alert individuals and part of thee authority about oncoming source of danger. Inside the security systems, are sensors linked to a control console through wire connections. There could also be linked through electromagnetic wave signals that are associated together to a response gadget. Most security detectors function as motion detectors placed on windows and doors to signify the presence of an oncoming person or object. Some devices are used for fire detection as well as for intrusion (Purpua, 2002). Each security detector has a different user interface, ranging from just simple noise producers to more intricate and complex devices that integrate both software and hardware with a console for monitoring purposes. These days there are a number of other security devices that utilize different techniques in detecting intruders. While others employ light, others like the ultrasound detectors use sound in order to fend off intruders (Philips, 2002).                                         The most widely used security detectors in the field of risk aversion employ passive infrared and microwave detectors that utilize measurements taken from the intensity of radiation received from items that could be in its field of view (Purpua, 2002). These sensors are used in the manufacture and assembling of motion detectors. Successful detection is achieved when a source such as human beings bypasses another source such as a door or window. Since the two object s will emit different intensities of electromagnetic radiations, the sensors are able to detect this and relay this information to the control boards as intrusion (Reid, 2005). We are first going to discuss about security devices that use infrared radiation as its intrusion technique. Characteristic of Infrared Radiation                       Infrared radiation which is sometimes shortened to IR, is part of the larger broader electromagnetic spectrum that includes, radio waves, visible light, microwaves among others (Barnard, 2001). IR radiation exhibits wavelengths of 0.7-300 micrometers and also displays a frequency range of between 1-430 Terahertz. This wavelength is of a greater wavelength than that of visible light. The infrared radiation is further divided into 3 categories based on the length of the wavelengths: Near Infrared: This form of radiation closely resembles visible light in characteristics, with wavelength of approximately between 0.7-1.3 microns. The second categ ory is Mid Infrared whose wavelength is between 1.3-3 microns. It is important to note that these two categories of infrared radiation are widely used in a number of electronic devices. The third and last category that constitutes Infrared radiation is the thermal infrared, which takes up a big part of the infrared radiation spectrum (Barnard, 2001). It displays wavelength characteristics of 3-30 microns. Another important point to note is that when the first two categories are reflected by objects or items, thermal infrared is rather emitted from objects as a result of actions taking place on the atomic stage (Barnard, 2001).