How to Use Colour Sensor: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The TCS3200 Colour Sensor by Robodo is a versatile and highly accurate device designed to detect and measure the color of an object or light source. It operates by converting light intensity into frequency signals, which can then be processed by a microcontroller. This sensor is widely used in robotics, automation, and industrial applications for tasks such as color sorting, object recognition, and navigation.

• Robotics: Identifying colored objects for sorting or navigation.
• Industrial Automation: Color-based quality control and sorting systems.
• Consumer Electronics: Color detection in smart devices.
• Education and Prototyping: Learning and experimenting with color recognition in DIY projects.

The TCS3200 Colour Sensor is built with an array of photodiodes and an integrated frequency-to-voltage converter. Below are its key technical details:

The TCS3200 module has a 6-pin interface. Below is the pinout description:

The TCS3200 Colour Sensor is easy to integrate into a circuit and can be interfaced with microcontrollers like the Arduino UNO. Below are the steps to use the sensor effectively:

1. Power Supply: Connect the VCC pin to the 5V pin of your microcontroller and the GND pin to ground.
2. Frequency Scaling: Use the S0 and S1 pins to set the output frequency scaling:
   • S0 = LOW, S1 = LOW: Power down mode.
   • S0 = LOW, S1 = HIGH: 2% scaling.
   • S0 = HIGH, S1 = LOW: 20% scaling.
   • S0 = HIGH, S1 = HIGH: 100% scaling.
3. Color Selection: Use the S2 and S3 pins to select the photodiode filter:
   • S2 = LOW, S3 = LOW: Red filter.
   • S2 = LOW, S3 = HIGH: Blue filter.
   • S2 = HIGH, S3 = LOW: Clear (no filter).
   • S2 = HIGH, S3 = HIGH: Green filter.
4. Output Signal: Connect the OUT pin to a digital input pin on your microcontroller to read the frequency signal.

Below is an example of how to interface the TCS3200 Colour Sensor with an Arduino UNO:

// TCS3200 Colour Sensor Example Code
// Connect the sensor pins to the Arduino as follows:
// S0 -> Pin 8, S1 -> Pin 9, S2 -> Pin 10, S3 -> Pin 11, OUT -> Pin 7

#define S0 8
#define S1 9
#define S2 10
#define S3 11
#define OUT 7

void setup() {
  pinMode(S0, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(S1, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(S2, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(S3, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(OUT, INPUT);

  // Set frequency scaling to 20%
  digitalWrite(S0, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(S1, LOW);

  Serial.begin(9600); // Initialize serial communication
}

void loop() {
  // Select Red filter
  digitalWrite(S2, LOW);
  digitalWrite(S3, LOW);
  int redFrequency = pulseIn(OUT, LOW); // Measure frequency for red
  delay(100);

  // Select Green filter
  digitalWrite(S2, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(S3, HIGH);
  int greenFrequency = pulseIn(OUT, LOW); // Measure frequency for green
  delay(100);

  // Select Blue filter
  digitalWrite(S2, LOW);
  digitalWrite(S3, HIGH);
  int blueFrequency = pulseIn(OUT, LOW); // Measure frequency for blue
  delay(100);

  // Print the frequency values
  Serial.print("Red: ");
  Serial.print(redFrequency);
  Serial.print(" Green: ");
  Serial.print(greenFrequency);
  Serial.print(" Blue: ");
  Serial.println(blueFrequency);

  delay(500); // Wait before the next reading
}

• Ensure the sensor is placed close to the object for accurate color detection.
• Avoid ambient light interference by using the onboard LEDs or operating in a controlled environment.
• Use appropriate frequency scaling (e.g., 20% or 100%) based on your application requirements.
• Calibrate the sensor for your specific use case to improve accuracy.

1. No Output Signal:

   • Ensure the sensor is powered correctly (VCC and GND connections).
   • Verify that the S0 and S1 pins are configured for frequency scaling.

2. Inaccurate Color Detection:

   • Check for ambient light interference and use the onboard LEDs.
   • Ensure the sensor is properly calibrated for the target object.

3. Fluctuating Readings:

   • Stabilize the sensor by securing it in a fixed position.
   • Use a delay between readings to allow the sensor to stabilize.

4. Sensor Not Responding:

   • Verify the connections to the microcontroller.
   • Check the microcontroller code for errors or incorrect pin assignments.

Q: Can the TCS3200 detect colors in low light conditions?
A: Yes, the onboard white LEDs provide sufficient illumination for color detection in low light environments.

Q: How do I calibrate the sensor for my application?
A: Measure the frequency output for known colors and create a mapping table in your code to interpret the readings accurately.

Q: Can I use the TCS3200 with a 3.3V microcontroller?
A: Yes, the sensor operates within a voltage range of 2.7V to 5.5V, making it compatible with 3.3V systems.

Q: What is the maximum distance for color detection?
A: The sensor works best when placed within 1-2 cm of the object for accurate readings.

This concludes the documentation for the TCS3200 Colour Sensor by Robodo.