An infrared (IR) sensor is an electronic device that measures and detects infrared radiation in its surrounding environment. Anything that emits heat (everything that has a temperature above around five degrees Kelvin) gives off infrared radiation.
An IR sensor can measure the heat of an object as well as detects the motion. Usually, in the infrared spectrum, all the objects radiate some form of thermal radiation. These types of radiations are invisible to our eyes, but infrared sensor can detect these radiations.
An overview of the TCRT5000 sensor
The TCRT5000 is a reflective sensor that includes an infrared emitter and phototransistor in a leaded package that blocks visible light.
One of the features of this sensor is the presence of a daylight blocking filter. This sensor can be used as a position sensor for shaft encoder, detection of reflective materials such as paper, IBM cards, magnetic tapes, limit switch for mechanical motions in VCR, in line recognition robots, etc.
Specification
Application
- Output Type: Analog-Voltage/Digital-Logic
- Distance range: Up to 15mm
For more specifications, please refer to datasheet
• Position sensor for shaft encoder
• Detection of reflective material such as paper, IBM cards, magnetic tapes etc.
• Limit switch for mechanical motions in VCR
• General purpose – wherever the space is limited
Key Features
- User-selectable module power supply voltage between 3V3 and 5V
- Analog Voltage OUTPUT
- Digital Voltage OUTPUT
- Data Pin access with IDC connector
- Usable as one-channel
- Adjustable IR intensity threshold
- On Board, ON/OFF LED indicator
- Pin Compatible with GEBRABUS
- It can be used as a daughter board of GebraBit MCU Modules
- Featuring Castellated pad (Assembled as SMD Part)
- Separatable screw parts to reduce the size of the board
- Package: GebraBit small (36.29mm x 32.72mm)
GebraBit TCRT5000-2 module
GebraBit TCRT5000-2 is a reflective Optical, 2-channel module which can be used for robotic projects such as line followers and can operate with “3V3” or “5V” supply Voltages.
Users can use this module both in single-channel and dual-channel mode, the empty slot in the middle part of the module is intended for single-channel use and the two side slots is for dual-channel use. In case of single-channel use of this module, the output data will be available on “AO1” and “DO1” pins.
For easy accessibility, GebraBit TCRT5000-2 gives access to the “5V“, “GND“, “DO1“, “DO2“, “AO1“, and “AO2” pins by an IDC-2×4 connector to extend them on other boards.
To start this module, it’s enough to apply the proper voltage to the corresponding pins and Set-up the GebraBit TCRT5000-2 module with any of Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Discovery board, and read the changes of the “DO1” and “DO2” outputs. We especially recommend you to use GebraBit microcontroller modules ( GebraBit STM32F303 or GebraBit ATMEGA32 module) for setting up and reading the out puts.
Introduction of module sections
TCRT5000 sensor
TCRT5000 sensors are the IR sensors of this module and are placed in both the right and left corners of the module.
Sensitivity Level Determinant Potentiometer
The light intensity threshold value of sensors 1 and 2 can be respectively adjusted by potentiometers 1 and 2 embedded in the middle of this module.
When the IR intensity goes above or below the set threshold, the state of the “DO1” and “DO2” pins and also the state of the LEDs will change.
LM393 Comparator
It is the main IC of this module and is in charge of comparing the voltage of each sensor with the threshold value determined by the potentiometer of that sensor.
Sensor LED
When the Infrared intensity goes higher or lower than the threshold value determined by the potentiometer, the status of the detection LED changes.
Signal Port
For easy accessibility, GebraBit TCRT5000-2 gives access to the “5V“, “GND“, “DO1“, “DO2“, “AO1“, and “AO2” pins by an IDC-2×4 connector to extend them on other boards.
You can see how the pins are arranged in the below picture.
VCC selector jumper
According to the state of 0R resistance of this jumper, the module main supply voltage is selected between “5V” and “3V3”.
Power LED
According to the state of the “VCC SEL” jumper and applying voltage to the module by the corresponding pin, this LED will be lit.
GebraBit TCRT5000-2 Module pins
Supply pins
- 3V3 and 5V: These pins can provide the main power supply of the module according to the state of the “VCC SEL” Selector Jumper.
- GND: This is the ground pin of the module.
Output pins
AO1 and AO2: These pins are the module analog output pins and the module analog data is available through these pins. The output of these pins changes according to the infrared reception quality.
DO1 and DO2: These pins are the digital output pins of the module and the logical output (0 and 1) datas of the sensors are available to the user through this pin. when the quality and intensity of infrared reception goes higher or lower than the threshold, the logic output (0 and 1) and as a result the state of the “DO” pins will change.
In case of single-channel use of this module, the “AO1” and “DO1” pins are defined as analog and digital output pins of the sensor.
Connect to the processor
connect to GebraBit ATMEGA32A and STM32F303
To Set-up the GebraBit TCRT5000-2 with the GebraBit ATMEGA32A or GebraBit STM32F303, after applying voltage to the “5V” and “GND” pins of the GebraBit ATMEGA32A or GebraBit STM32F303 it is enough to connect the “3V3” and “GND” pins of the GebraBit TCRT5000-2 module to the “3V3” and “GND” pins of the GebraBit STM32F303 or GebraBit ATMEGA32A and then connect the “AO”, “AO2”, “DO1” and “DO2” pins of the GebraBit TCRT5000-2 module to the other pins of GebraBit STM32F303 or GebraBit ATMEGA32A.
You can set-up the GebraBit TCRT5000-2 to the GebraBit ATMEGA32A module in the same way.
Note1: If you are using GebraBit microcontroller modules, note that the “VCC SEL” jumper of GebraBit TCRT5000-2 module is set to “3V3” so that you can easily get “3V3” voltage from the microcontroller module.
Note 2: The GebraBit TCRT5000-2 module cannot be installed on bread board due to the presence of sensors on the back of the module.
connect to ARDUINO UNO
follow the below steps to connect the GebraBit TCRT5000-2 module to the ARDUINO UNO:
- Since the “VCC SEL” jumper is set on “3V3”, Connect the “3V3” pin of TCRT5000-2 module to the “3V3” output pin of the ARDUINO UNO board. (red wire)
- Connect the “GND” pin of the TCRT5000-2 module to the “GND” pin of the ARDUINO UNO board (black wire).
- Connect the “AO1” and “AO2” pins of the TCRT5000-2 module to one of the ARDUINO UNO “analog” pins (e.g.A1 and A2). (orange and yellow wires)
- Connect the “DO1” and “DO2” pins of the TCRT5000-2 module to one of the ARDUINO UNO “digital” pins (e.g.D12 and D13). (blue and purple wires)
You can see how to connect the above mentioned steps, in the below picture: