Color sensors are devices that detect and identify colors.

They work by measuring the intensity of light at different wavelengths in the visible spectrum.

Use photodiodes or phototransistors to detect light and filters to differentiate between different colors.


TCS3200 color sensor:

• Contains an array of photodiodes
• Photodiodes are sensitive to red, green, blue, and clear light
• Sensor detects light by illuminating the object with white light and then capturing the reflected light with its photodiodes through the color filters.
• Positioned over the photodiodes are color filters. These filters allow only certain wavelengths of light to pass through.
• By toggling the control pins (S0, S1, S2, S3) in specific sequences, you can instruct the sensor to capture readings corresponding to different color channels (red, green, blue) or clear light.
• Sensor's output provides frequency-based signals proportional to the intensity of light detected in each color channel.



Color that needs to be sensed by a color sensor is selected by two pins S2 and S3.
If we need to sense the RED color intensity, we need to set both pins to LOW.

Light intensity measured by the array is sent as a current for frequency conversion
It generates a square wave whose frequency relates to the color that is selected by S2 and S3

Frequency scaling is performed by two bits S0 and S1. For convenience, we limit the frequency scaling to 20%.











They work by measuring the intensity of

light at different wavelengths in the visible

spectrum.They work by measuring the intensity of

light at different wavelengths in the visible

spectrum.