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.