TCS3200 Based Color Sensor Module

The TCS3200 color sensor senses the color of an object and produces an equivalent frequency signal (square wave) based on the color sensed. TCS3200 is a color recognising sensor module which consists of TAOS TCS3200 RGB Sensor IC and 4 white LEDs to light the object to determine its color accurately. The sensor chip has a 8×8 Photodiode array to determine the color of the object and generate a signal of a frequency corresponding to the color detected with the help of Current to Frequency Converter. It can be used in Ambient Light Sensing and Calibration, Color Matching, Printers, Robotics, etc. The sensor is very similar and can work as a replacement alternative for TCS230 Colour Sensor

The color detection sensor can operate between 3V to 5V and the object whose color has to be sensed should be placed within 1cm distance from the sensor. In the 8×8 Array of Photodiodes 16 are with Red filter, 16 are with Green filter, 16 are with Blue filter and  16 are with no filter. They are distributed evenly over the chip so to remove any location bias. By selectively choosing the photodiode filter’s readings, you’re able to detect the intensity of the different colors. The sensor has a current-to-frequency converter that converts the photodiodes’ readings into a square wave with a frequency that is proportional to the light intensity of the chosen color. This frequency is then, read by the Arduino.

We have to measure the frequency from the Output pin for each of Red, Green and Blue color to determine the actual color of the object in front of it. You must set S2 and S3 low to get Red color reading, S2 and S3 High to get green color reading and S2 low and S3 high to get Blue Color reading. In Arduino, you can use “pulseIn” command to read the frequency. For best results put Object at 1cm distance from the sensor.

Additional Resources

• TCS3200 Color Sensor Datasheet
• Interfacing TCS3200 with Arduino