thechangelab.com

Wireless Keyboards

Computer keyboards are one of the main ways that individuals communicate with their computers. While mice are a close second, most people use a computer keyboard to type email, conduct searches on the internet and interface with almost every conceivable software program. If you are entering data such as letters and numbers, you are most likely to use a keyboard.

There are three types of keyboards, corded, infrared wireless and RF (radio frequency) wireless keyboards. Each fits a special need for the user.

Infrared Wireless Keyboards
Infrared wireless keyboards use the same technology as your TV remote control. These keyboards send data (the keys that you press) to an infrared module that is directly connected to your computer. The great benefit of an infrared wireless keyboard is that it you do not need to be directly connected to the computer; however your keyboard does need a direct line of sight to the infrared module. Infrared wireless keyboards require batteries to operate and can come in either PS/2 or USB connections. Some models have a range of up to 30 feet.

Radio Frequency (RF) Wireless Keyboards
The most popular type of wireless keyboard uses radio waves for the keyboard to communicate with your computer. Radio waves do not require line of sight and have relatively good ranges (some more than 30 feet). It should be noted that RF frequency wireless keyboards do have security issues, because users close by may be able to pick up the signal. However, more secure keyboards are now on the markets that use encrypted data. There are two main types of radio frequencies that are used, one is normal RF that usually runs near the 900 MHz frequency and the other is Bluetooth. Bluetooth uses RF technology that is specially encrypted.