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Close-up of back of Arduino-compatible board with TCS3200 RGB color sensor and LED lights.-DFRobot product sku:SEN0101 image.
Angled shot of TCS3200 RGB sensor detecting fabric colors with white LEDs
Angled shot of TCS3200 RGB Color Sensor Breakout showing white LEDs and sensor chip

Fermion: TCS3200 RGB Color Sensor Breakout - Light to Frequency (Breakout)

$7.90
SKU: SEN0101
The Arduino RGB Color Sensor uses the TCS3200 chip to detect a wide range of colors, ideal for color sorting and matching. It features white LEDs and communicates with microcontrollers.
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    IntroductionApplicationsSpecificationDocumentsShipping List

    Introduction

    This is an Arduino RGB Color Sensor breakout uses TAOS TCS3200 RGB sensor chip and 4 white LEDs.  The TCS3200 arduino color sensor can detect and measure a nearly limitless range of visible colors. Applications include test strip reading, sorting by color, ambient light sensing and calibration, and color matching, to name just a few.  

    The TCS3200 has an array of photodetectors, each with either a red, green, or blue filter, or no filter (clear). The filters of each color are distributed evenly throughout the array to eliminate location bias among the colors. Internal to the device is an oscillator which produces a square-wave output whose frequency is proportional to the intensity of the chosen color.


    Developer Pro-Tips

  • Optimizing MCU Interrupts: The programmable full-scale output frequency (controlled via S0 and S1 pins) is crucial for managing microcontroller workloads. Scaling the output frequency down (e.g., to 20% or 2%) prevents timer interrupt overload on slower processors while maintaining measurement accuracy.
  • Energy Efficient IoT Integration: For battery-powered edge devices, the built-in power-down feature should be actively utilized in the firmware. Disabling the sensor between readings significantly reduces current draw within the 2.7V - 5.5V logic range.
  • Algorithm Calibration: To achieve the highest color fidelity, algorithms should be programmed to read the 'Clear' filter channel in addition to the RGB channels. This data serves as a stable reference point for ambient light subtraction and precise color balancing.

    • Applications

  • Automated Industrial Sorting: Integration with mechanical robotic arms and conveyor belt systems to accurately categorize, separate, and route components based on precise color profiles.
  • Medical & Chemical Diagnostics: Facilitates the development of low-cost test strip readers that require high-resolution colorimetric analysis for accurate result interpretation.
  • Advanced STEM Robotics: Equips educational rovers and robotic kits with the environmental perception necessary for complex tasks like autonomous color-line following or specific object retrieval.
  • Ambient Light Calibration: Enables smart display systems to dynamically adjust screen backlighting and color temperature based on surrounding ambient light intensity.

    • Specification

  • Power: 2.7V to 5.5V
  • Interface: Digital TTL
  • Output Mechanism: High-resolution conversion of light intensity to programmable frequency
  • Configuration: Programmable color and full-scale output frequency
  • Additional Features: Built-in Power Down feature
  • Dimensions: 28.4 x 28.4 mm (1.12 x 1.12 inches)

    • Documents

    Shipping List

  • TCS3200 RGB Color Sensor For Arduino ×1
    • Fermion
    Fermion: TCS3200 RGB Color Sensor Breakout - Light to Frequency (Breakout)
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