RGB Sensor Module TCS34725 (OT3509)

Now your electronics can see dazzling colors with this beautiful color light sensor. This is the best color sensor on the market, the TCS34725, which has RGB and Clear light sensing elements. An IR blocking filter allows for accurate color measurements, giving you a much truer color than most sensors because humans cannot see IR. Suitable for use behind darkened glass due to the incredible 3,800,000:1 dynamic range with adjustable integration time and gain. Featuring a 3.3V regulator so you can safely power the breakout with 3-5VDC and level shifting for the I2C pins so they can be used with either 3.3V or 5V logic. Plus a nice neutral 4150°K temperature LED with a MOSFET driver on board to illuminate whatever you're trying to sense. The LED can be easily turned on or off by a logic level output. Connect to any microcontroller with I2C and the example code will quickly get you started with 4 channel readouts. Connect the sensor by connecting VDD to 3-5VDC, ground to common ground, SCL to I2C Clock and SDA to I2C data on your Arduino. Restart the IDE and select the sample sketch and place all of your favorite fruits next to the sensor element!Key Features:Separate Red/Green/Blue Light Intensity SensorsAmbient (bright) Light Intensity SensorIR Light Blocking FilterIntegrated Logic-Controlled White LED Light Source3,800,000:1 Dynamic RangeAdjustable Gain and Integration TimeBreakout Output Available Based on Predefined Illuminance ThresholdsI2C Interface3.3 or 5V OperationPACKAGE INCLUDES:TCS34725 RGB Color Sensor ModuleMale Header How an RGB Sensor Module WorksThe sensor works by shining a white light on an object and measuring the amount of red, green, blue, and white light reflected from the surface of that object.The measurements are taken using a 3 x 4 matrix of sensors with red/green/blue color filters in front of them. It also measures the overall intensity of the reflected light using a clear filter over three of the sensors. The entire sensor array has an IR filter over it which minimizes the effect of IR light on the measurements.The analog sensor outputs are converted to 16 bit digital values using 4 integrating ADC's. These digital sensor values are then available to the MCU via the I2C bus.There are 2 main settings which can be configured to influence and optimize the measurement values for a particular application.Gain Setting: The gain setting can be set to 1X, 4X, 16X or 60X. Higher gain settings can help to read the color correctly in low light conditions, but may also increase the noise level of the measurement.Integration Time: The integration time is the length of time taken to take the sample. Longer integration times can provide better accuracy in some applications. The TCS34725 Module Schematic integration time can be set to 2.4 mS, 24 mS, 50 mS, 101 mS, 154 mS or 700 mS. When the interrupt is enabled and the measured values exceed an upper or lower limit value set for the interrupt, the open collector output is driven LOW. Because it is an open collector output, a pull-up resistor is required on the INT line to pull it HIGH when it is not driven LOW. This can usually be implemented by enabling an internal pull-up on the uC data pin. The built-in white LED is used to illuminate the object under measurement and can be driven via the LED pin on the module. If the pin is floating, the LED will be on. If it is desired to have it permanently off, the pin can be grounded. The pin can also be connected to a digital output on the MCU and turned on/off when samples are taken.I2C InterfaceThe module communicates over a standard I2C interface. The I2C address is fixed to address 0x29.The module contains MOSFETs and pull-up resistors for level shifting the I2C SDA and SCL lines, so they will work correctly with both 3.3 and 5V MCUs.Powering the ModuleThe module can be powered from either a 5V or 3.3V input on the VIN pin on the module.The TCS34725 sensor operates at 3.3V, so an onboard 3.3V regulator steps down the higher voltages to 3.3V required by the sensor.A 3V3 pin on the module provides access to the 3.3V output of the regulator if required.Module ConnectionsLED = LED control input. Leave floating for LED always on. Pull LOW to turn LED offINT = Interrupt output active LOW. Output is open-collector so requires pull-up resistor. Connects to an interrupt input on the MCU if used.SDA = I2C SDA line. Connects to SDA on MCUSCL = I2C SCL line. Connects to SCL on MCU3V3 = 3.3V output from the onboard 3.3V regulatorGND = Ground Connects to ground on the MCUVIN = Power consumption. Connects to 3.3V or 5V on the MCUModule mountingThe module ships with the male header strip detached. This allows the header to be soldered to the top or bottom of the module depending on the planned use, or wires can be used to make the connections.For breadboard use, we place the headers on the bottom. Soldering is easiest if the header is inserted into a breadboard to hold it in place during the soldering process.