Consumer Infrared (CIR) vs. Ultra-Wideband (UWB)
Comparing 2 standards across 14 specifications. 14 key differences identified.
Consumer Infrared (CIR) is a line-of-sight optical wireless communication standard utilizing near-infrared light (typically 940 nm or 880 nm) modulated on a 36 kHz to 56 kHz subcarrier (38 kHz nominal). Governed by established encoding protocols (NEC, Philips RC-5/RC-6, Sony SIRC), it is the global standard for televisions, audio systems, and HVAC remote controls.
Ultra-Wideband (UWB) is a short-range radio communication technology standardized under IEEE 802.15.4z and governed by the FiRa Consortium and Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC). Operating across 3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz with channel bandwidths of ≥ 500 MHz, it utilizes picosecond-duration pulses to measure Time-of-Flight (ToF) and Angle-of-Arrival (AoA), delivering centimeter-level spatial tracking and relay-attack immune digital car keys.
Specification Comparison Table
14 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Optical Wavelength
|
940 nm (Near-Infrared, invisible to human eye) | — |
|
Subcarrier Modulation Frequencies
|
36 kHz, 38 kHz (Dominant standard), 40 kHz, 56 kHz | — |
|
Major Protocol Formats
|
NEC (32-bit Pulse Distance), Philips RC-5 (Bi-Phase/Manchester 36 kHz), Sony SIRC (12/15/20-bit Pulse Width) | — |
|
Typical Range
|
5 to 10 m (line-of-sight / reflected indoor surfaces) | — |
|
Data Payload Rate
|
Low (~100 to 1,000 bps) | — |
|
Receiver Filtering
|
Integrated Photodiode + 38 kHz Bandpass Filter IC (e.g. Vishay TSOP series) | — |
|
Standardization Bodies
|
— | IEEE 802.15.4z / FiRa Consortium / Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) |
|
Operating Frequency Band
|
— | 3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz (Channel 5 @ 6.489 GHz and Channel 9 @ 7.987 GHz global) |
|
Minimum Channel Bandwidth
|
— | 499.2 MHz (500 MHz nominal) |
|
Pulse Duration
|
— | ~2 ns (nanosecond RF impulse pulses) |
|
Spatial Positioning Accuracy
|
— | 1 to 5 cm (centimeter accuracy) |
|
Distance Calculation Method
|
— | Two-Way Ranging (TWR) / Time Difference of Arrival (TDoA) |
|
Directional Angle Measurement
|
— | Angle of Arrival (AoA) via dual-antenna phase interferometry |
|
Security Physical Layer
|
— | Scrambled Timestamp Sequence (STS) to defeat relay attacks |