Two of the most popular are radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR). The latter has long been the industry standard for remote controls, but new advances in RF technology suggests a change in the air.

Put simply, IR uses a one-way communication while RF operates on a two-way mantra. IR remote controls can only send information while those equipped with RF technology can operate both as sender and receiver. Also, IR operates via line of sight and doesn’t work very well outside or in bright locations because of signal interference. While an IR user needs to point their remote control directly at their TV or DVD player, an RF-controlled remote doesn’t need to be operated with the same degree of accuracy. A user can change the channel on a television located in another room or store a DVD player or set top box behind a cabinet door and the RF remote control can still ‘communicate’ with the base device.

Another type of wireless protocol is WiFi, also known as wireless fidelity. This generally refers to any type of 802.11 standard in a wireless network. In a Wi-Fi network, computers with the network cards connect to a wireless router and this is connected to the internet by means of a modem. Any user within about 60 meters of the access point can then connect to the internet. WiFi networks can either be ‘open’ for anyone to use, or ‘closed’ so a password is needed.

When it comes to wireless meshed networking for home control and automation, many might think of Zigbee and Z-Wave, which work in a slightly different manner to IR and RF. Each works off a grid of multiple nodes in a particular location and uses multiple communication paths. Unlike IR and RF, this wireless meshed networking alternative could make life easier for you, as it doesn’t have to be in a direct line of sight in order to send signals.