Decoding an incoming infrared signal: need advice

[dhouston]

Most of the receivers in A/V gear have a fairly wide bandwidth (+/- 5kHz) so this is not super-critical for typical use. I designed a CF card IR transmitter for use with PDAs a few years back. Using a single emitter driven by 3.3V, the tested range exceeded 30m.

[Bruce]

Like Dave says, it's not normally critical. Especially in relatively noise free environments
where you have a good strong IR signal.

But, if you need the absolute maximum range, under less than favorable conditions, then
it's a lot more important. If your carrier frequency is spot-on the center band-pass frequency
of the IR receiver, it's more likely to work under less than optimum conditions.

The IR receiver is more sensitive to the signal when it's spot-on the center band-pass
frequency.

Even little things like matching the wavelength of the IRLED to the IR receiver can make a
BIG difference if it has to work reliably under various conditions.