TCS230 color sensor

The TCS230 color sensor is a versatile, high-performance color detection module designed to measure the intensity of different colors in the visible light spectrum. 

Key features

• Photodiode Matrix: The TCS230 uses an 8x8 photodiode matrix, comprising 16 photodiodes for each primary color (red, green, blue) and 16 photodiodes without filter.
• Supply voltage: Operates with a supply voltage of between 2.7V and 5.5V.
• Output Interface: The output is a TTL digital frequency, proportional to the light intensity detected by the photodiodes.
• Frequency selection: Pins S0 and S1 select the output frequency scale, offering flexibility in configuration.
• Photodiode selection: Pins S2 and S3 select the type of photodiode to be used (red, green, blue or unfiltered).
• Protection and Features: Includes power-down (OE), overvoltage and short-circuit protection.
• Dimensions: Module dimensions are typically 28.4 x 28.4 mm.

Areas of Use

• Color Sorting: Used in color sorting applications, such as robots sorting objects based on their color.
• Test Strip Reading: Used to read test strips and detect specific colors on them.
• Color Detection and Matching: Ideal for color detection and matching systems in consumer electronics applications.
• Ambient Light Calibration Systems: Can be used to calibrate ambient light and adjust brightness parameters accordingly.

Project examples

• Arduino projects: Integrated into Arduino projects to detect and recognize colors, with sample code to read frequencies and display results on an LCD screen or light RGB LEDs corresponding to the detected colors.
• Color Sorting Robots: Used in color sorting robots to detect and separate objects based on their color.
• Surveillance and Security Systems: Can be integrated into surveillance and security systems to detect and analyze colors in specific scenarios.
• Creative applications: Used in creative projects such as color detection on test strips or reproduction of detected colors using RGB LEDs.