TCS3200 Color Recognition Sensor

The TCS3200 is a programmable colour light-to-frequency converter that transforms red, green, blue, and clear light intensity into a measurable square-wave output — no ADC required. With an 8×8 photodiode array, onboard LED illumination, and full Arduino and Raspberry Pi compatibility, it's the go-to sensor for colour-aware automation and robotics builds.

🔹 Key Applications

• Colour sorting conveyors in manufacturing quality-control lines
• Line-following robots distinguishing track colour from background
• Liquid colour analysis in food and beverage processing
• Printing verification systems checking ink colour accuracy
• Coin and token colour validation in vending machines
• Smart home LED colour feedback and scene detection

🔹 Why Choose This Module?

• Frequency output — eliminates ADC resources entirely
• Onboard LED illuminator — software-controllable ambient light rejection
• 4 selectable filter modes — fine-grained RGB and clear spectral control
• 3–5 V compatible — works with Arduino, ESP32, and Raspberry Pi directly
• Compact 32 × 14 mm — fits in tight robotic assemblies

🔹 Technical Specifications

• Sensor IC: TCS3200
• Operating Voltage: 3 V – 5 V DC
• Output: Square-wave frequency proportional to light intensity
• Photodiode Array: 8×8 (Red, Green, Blue, Clear)
• Illumination: Onboard white LED (software controllable)
• Detection Distance: ~1 cm optimal
• Dimensions: 32 × 14 mm

🔹 What's Included

1 × TCS3200 Colour Recognition Sensor Module

🔹 Pro Tip

💡 Mount the sensor at exactly 1 cm from the target surface for most accurate readings. Use the S2/S3 filter select pins to cycle through R, G, B channels in your code and compare ratios — absolute frequency values vary with lighting, but ratios remain consistent.

⚠️ Note: Always ensure proper heat dissipation and correct voltage configuration before powering connected devices.