Infrared (IR) transmitters and receivers are present in many different devices, though they are most commonly found in consumer electronics. The way an IR transmitter and receiver works is that one component flashes an infrared light in a particular pattern, which another component can pick up and translate into an instruction. These transmitters and receivers are found in remote controls and all different types of devices, such as televisions and digital versatile disc (DVD) players. IR transmitter and receiver peripheral devices can also allow a computer to control various other consumer electronics. Since infrared remotes are limited to line of sight operation, another type of IR transmitter and receiver pair can be used to extend the signals over a hardwired line or radio frequency (RF) transmissions.

One of the most common consumer electronic remote control methods uses infrared light. These remotes typically generate infrared light using light emitting diodes (LEDs), and the main component of a receiver unit is usually a photodiode. A remote control flashes a pattern of invisible infrared light, which is picked up and then turned into an instruction by the receiver module. The parts necessary to construct an IR transmitter and receiver are typically inexpensive, but these systems are limited to line of sight operation.

In order to extend the range of a typical infrared remote control beyond line of sight, it is possible to combine an IR transmitter and receiver with another component. A hardwired extender unit uses a transmitter and receiver that are connected by a physical wire. This wire can be routed around or through a wall, with the transmitter located in one room and the receiver in another. When a signal is sent to the receiver from a remote control, it travels across the wire and is then turned back into infrared light by the transmitter at the other end.

Radio frequency IR extenders perform this same function without any physical wires. These systems involve two components, one of which contains an IR receiver and an RF transmitter. A paired unit contains an RF receiver and IR transmitter. When an infrared remote is used on the IR receiver, the device translates the signal and broadcasts it over RF. The paired unit then receives that signal, decodes it and transmits an IR signal.

Infrared transmitter and receiver devices can also be used with computers. These peripherals are typically designed to connect via universal serial bus (USB) and can be used to control various types of consumer electronics. Software can allow this type of IR transmitter and receiver to learn commands directly from other remote controls.