The TCRT5000 is an infrared reflective optical sensor that can detect the presence of an object by emitting and receiving infrared light. It consists of an infrared LED and a phototransistor, both located in the same housing, with a small gap between them. When the LED emits light, it reflects off any nearby objects and is received by the phototransistor. The sensor detects changes in the amount of reflected light and produces a corresponding output signal, which can be used to determine the presence or absence of an object. The TCRT5000 is commonly used in applications such as proximity sensors, line-following robots, and object detection systems.

 

Package Includes:

• 1 x TCRT5000 Infrared Reflective Optical Sensor

 

Features:

1. Compact size: The sensor is small in size, making it ideal for use in applications with limited space.
2. High sensitivity: The sensor is highly sensitive to changes in reflected light, making it suitable for detecting objects with low reflectivity.
3. Wide operating voltage range: The sensor can operate at a voltage of 5V, making it compatible with a variety of microcontrollers and other control circuitry.
4. Low power consumption: The sensor consumes very little power, making it ideal for battery-powered applications.
5. Easy to use: The sensor is easy to use and can be interfaced with a microcontroller or other control circuitry using a simple analog or digital signal.
6. Adjustable detection range: The detection range of the sensor can be adjusted by changing the LED's power output or using an external lens.
7. Fast response time: The sensor has a fast response time, making it suitable for applications that require quick detection.
8. Low cost: The sensor is relatively inexpensive, making it accessible to hobbyists and professionals on a budget.

 

 

Description:

The TCRT5000 is a small, compact, and inexpensive infrared reflective sensor that can be used to detect the presence of an object. It operates on the principle of reflection of light, where it emits infrared light toward an object and measures the amount of reflected light to detect the object's presence. The sensor consists of an infrared LED and a phototransistor that are placed side by side in a single housing. The infrared LED emits light with a wavelength of around 950 nm, which is not visible to the human eye. The phototransistor, on the other hand, is sensitive to light in the same wavelength range. The sensor is designed to detect the reflected light from nearby objects, and the amount of reflected light is directly proportional to the distance between the sensor and the object.

The TCRT5000 has a typical detection range of up to 2.5 cm, although it can be extended by increasing the LED's power output. The sensor is also highly sensitive and can detect objects with reflectivity as low as 6%. This makes it an ideal choice for applications such as line-following robots, obstacle-detection systems, and proximity sensors. The TCRT5000 sensor is easy to use, and it can be interfaced with a microcontroller or other control circuitry using a simple analog or digital signal. The sensor can be powered using a 5V DC power supply, and it consumes very little power, making it ideal for battery-powered applications.

 

Principle of Work:

Infrared communication works by transmitting a modulated infrared light signal that carries digital information. The transmitter uses an infrared LED to emit the modulated light signal in a specific direction, and the receiver uses an infrared sensor to detect the signal. The modulated infrared signal contains two parts: a carrier wave and a data signal. The carrier wave is a high-frequency signal that is used to carry the data signal. The data signal is a low-frequency signal that represents the digital information that needs to be transmitted. When the receiver module receives the modulated infrared signal, it first filters out the carrier wave using a bandpass filter. It then demodulates the data signal using a demodulator circuit to extract the digital information. The demodulated data signal is then sent to a microcontroller for further processing.

In the case of the IR Infrared Wireless Remote Control Module Kit (HX1838 VS1838 compatible), the transmitter module sends out a modulated infrared signal when a button is pressed on the remote control. The receiver module detects the signal, demodulates it, and sends the information about the button that was pressed to a microcontroller. The microcontroller can then perform the desired action based on the information received.

 

Pinout of the Module:

1. Anode (+) of the Infrared LED: This pin is connected to the positive terminal of the power supply and is used to power the infrared LED.
2. Cathode (-) of the Infrared LED: This pin is connected to the ground or negative terminal of the power supply and is used to complete the circuit for the infrared LED.
3. Emitter of the Phototransistor: This pin is connected to the ground or negative terminal of the power supply and is used to complete the circuit for the phototransistor.
4. Collector of the Phototransistor: This pin is the output pin of the sensor and is connected to the signal processing circuitry. The output signal is an analog voltage that varies depending on the amount of light received by the phototransistor.

 Note: Anode and Collecter are the longer legs of the LEDs

 

Applications: 

1. Proximity sensing: The sensor can be used as a proximity sensor to detect the presence of objects and to determine their distance from the sensor.
2. Line-following robots: The sensor can be used in line-following robots to detect the position of a line and to guide the robot along the path.
3. Obstacle detection: The sensor can be used to detect obstacles in front of a robot or vehicle and to avoid collisions.
4. Edge detection: The sensor can be used to detect the edge of a surface or object and to control the position of a robot or machine.
5. Object detection: The sensor can be used to detect the presence or absence of objects in a manufacturing or assembly line.
6. Security systems: The sensor can be used in security systems to detect the presence of intruders or to monitor the movement of people or objects.
7. Automatic door openers: The sensor can be used to detect the presence of a person approaching a door and to automatically open the door.
8. Coin counters: The sensor can be used in coin counters to detect the passage of coins and to count the number of coins passing through.

 

Circuit:

• Connect the Sensor to Arduino on pin A0 with a voltage divider using a 4.7oh resistor between the collector and the 5v
• Connect the Anode of the LED with 5v using a 100ohm resistor.
• Both cathode and the emitter are connected to GND

 

 

Library:

No Library Needed

 

Code:  

code for Arduino that reads the analog signal from the TCRT5000 sensor connected to pin A0 and sends a serial output when an obstacle is detected:

 

const int sensorPin = A0; // set the sensor pin to A0
int sensorValue = 0; // initialize the sensor value to 0
int threshold = 500; // set the threshold value for obstacle detection

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600); // initialize serial communication
}

void loop() {
  sensorValue = analogRead(sensorPin); // read the sensor value
  Serial.print("Analog value: "); // print the analog value to serial monitor
  Serial.println(sensorValue);
  
  if(sensorValue < threshold){ // check if an obstacle is detected
    Serial.println("Obstacle detected!"); // send serial output
  }
  
  delay(100); // wait for 100ms before reading the sensor again
}

This code sets the TCRT5000 sensor pin to A0, initializes the threshold value for obstacle detection to 500, and uses the analogRead() function to read the sensor value. It then checks if the sensor value is below the threshold, indicating an obstacle is present and sends a serial output if so. The analog value is also printed to the serial monitor every 100ms using the Serial.println() function.

 

Technical Details:

• IR sensor with transistor output
• Operating Voltage: 5V
• Diode forward Current: 60mA
• Output: Analog or digital data
• Transistor collector current: 100mA (maximum)
• Operating temperature: -25°C to +85°C

 

Resources:

• Datasheet

 

Comparisons:

Ultrasonic sensors and TCRT5000 infrared reflective optical sensors are both commonly used for distance and obstacle detection in robotics and automation applications, but they differ in their operating principles, sensing range, and suitability for different types of surfaces and environments.

1. Operating Principle: Ultrasonic sensors use high-frequency sound waves to detect objects and measure distance, while TCRT5000 sensors use infrared light to detect the presence or absence of objects and measure the reflectivity of surfaces.
2. Sensing Range: Ultrasonic sensors can detect objects at longer distances compared to TCRT5000 sensors. Ultrasonic sensors typically have a range of several meters, while TCRT5000 sensors have a sensing range of a few millimeters to a few centimeters.
3. Surface and Environmental Suitability: Ultrasonic sensors work well on most surfaces and in most environments, including outdoors and in low-light conditions. In contrast, TCRT5000 sensors work best on reflective surfaces and may have difficulty detecting objects on non-reflective or transparent surfaces.
4. Accuracy and Resolution: Ultrasonic sensors typically have higher accuracy and resolution compared to TCRT5000 sensors. Ultrasonic sensors can detect distance with an accuracy up to a few millimeters, while TCRT5000 sensors have an accuracy of a few centimeters.
5. Cost: TCRT5000 sensors are generally less expensive than ultrasonic sensors, making them a cost-effective option for simple robotics and automation applications.

Ultrasonic sensors and TCRT5000 sensors each have their own advantages and disadvantages depending on the specific application requirements. Ultrasonic sensors are better suited for longer-distance sensing and work well in a wide range of environments, while TCRT5000 sensors are a more cost-effective option for simple robotics and automation applications that require short-range sensing on reflective surfaces.