Design with Adafruit TSL2561 in Cirkit DesignerThe Adafruit TSL2561 is a sophisticated digital luminosity sensor that offers ambient light sensing capabilities by measuring both visible and infrared light levels. This sensor is ideal for applications that require precise light measurements, such as adjusting display backlighting based on environmental lighting conditions or for general-purpose light sensing in home automation, industrial, and environmental monitoring systems.
This circuit consists of an ESP8266 NodeMCU microcontroller connected to a TSL2561 Lux Sensor. The microcontroller reads light intensity data from the sensor via I2C communication, with the SCL and SDA lines connected to D1 and D2 pins of the ESP8266, respectively. Power is supplied to the sensor through the 3V3 and GND pins of the ESP8266.
Open Project in Cirkit Designer
This circuit uses an Arduino UNO to read data from a TSL2561 Lux Sensor and control a red LED. The Arduino reads light intensity values from the sensor via I2C communication and powers the LED through a current-limiting resistor.
Open Project in Cirkit Designer
This circuit uses an Arduino Mega 2560 to read temperature data from multiple DS18B20 sensors, display the data on an ILI9341 TFT display, and maintain time using an Adafruit DS1307 RTC module. It also receives IR signals using a VS1838B IR receiver and includes an Adafruit MS8607 PHT sensor for additional environmental monitoring.
Open Project in Cirkit Designer
This circuit uses an Arduino UNO to interface with an Adafruit TCS34725 RGB color sensor, a 128x64 OLED display, and a 16x2 I2C LCD. The Arduino reads color data from the sensor and displays the color information on both the OLED and LCD screens.
Open Project in Cirkit Designer| Pin Number | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | VDD | Power supply (2.7V to 3.6V) |
| 2 | GND | Ground connection |
| 3 | SDA | I2C Data |
| 4 | SCL | I2C Clock |
| 5 | ADDR | Address pin to set I2C address |
| 6 | INT | Interrupt output (active low) |
To use the TSL2561 sensor in a circuit:
#include <Wire.h>
#include <Adafruit_Sensor.h>
#include <Adafruit_TSL2561_U.h>
Adafruit_TSL2561_Unified tsl = Adafruit_TSL2561_Unified(TSL2561_ADDR_FLOAT, 12345);
void setup(void) {
Serial.begin(9600);
Serial.println("Light Sensor Test"); Serial.println("");
// Initialise the sensor
if(!tsl.begin()) {
Serial.print("Ooops, no TSL2561 detected ... Check your wiring or I2C ADDR!");
while(1);
}
// Set the gain and integration time
tsl.setGain(TSL2561_GAIN_1X); // No gain ... use in bright light to avoid sensor saturation
tsl.setIntegrationTime(TSL2561_INTEGRATIONTIME_13MS); // Fast but low resolution
// Display some basic information on this sensor
sensor_t sensor;
tsl.getSensor(&sensor);
Serial.println("------------------------------------");
Serial.print ("Sensor: "); Serial.println(sensor.name);
Serial.print ("Driver Ver: "); Serial.println(sensor.version);
Serial.print ("Unique ID: "); Serial.println(sensor.sensor_id);
Serial.print ("Max Value: "); Serial.print(sensor.max_value); Serial.println(" lux");
Serial.print ("Min Value: "); Serial.print(sensor.min_value); Serial.println(" lux");
Serial.print ("Resolution: "); Serial.print(sensor.resolution); Serial.println(" lux");
Serial.println("------------------------------------");
Serial.println("");
delay(500);
}
void loop(void) {
// Get a new sensor event
sensors_event_t event;
tsl.getEvent(&event);
// Display the results (light is measured in lux)
if (event.light) {
Serial.print(event.light); Serial.println(" lux");
} else {
// If event.light = 0 lux the sensor is probably saturated
// and no reliable data could be generated!
Serial.println("Sensor overload");
}
delay(250);
}
Q: Can the TSL2561 sensor measure UV light? A: No, the TSL2561 is designed to measure visible and infrared light, not ultraviolet light.
Q: What is the purpose of the ADDR pin? A: The ADDR pin allows you to change the I2C address of the sensor, enabling multiple sensors to be used on the same I2C bus.
Q: How do I know if the sensor is saturated? A: If the sensor is saturated, it will typically return a maximum reading or zero lux. Adjust the gain or integration time to avoid saturation.
For further assistance, consult the Adafruit TSL2561 datasheet and the Adafruit forums for community support.