The Invisible Eye: How Infrared Door Sensors Work
Whether you are entering a grocery store or a high-tech office building, infrared (IR) sensors are likely the "invisible eye" that anticipates your arrival. Unlike radar sensors, which are excellent at detecting fast-moving objects from a distance, infrared sensors are the gold standard for presence detection and close-range safety. There are two primary types of infrared technology used in automatic doors: Active and Passive. Here is a breakdown of how they function. 1. Active Infrared (AIR) Sensors Active Infrared sensors are the most common type used for safety and threshold protection. They are called "active" because they consist of two parts: an emitter and a receiver. The Transmit-and-Receive Process The sensor constantly emits pulses of near-infrared light (invisible to the human eye) toward the ground. The Baseline: When the area is clear, the light hits the floor and reflects back to the receiver at a consistent intensity and angle. The Interruption: When...