TCS3200 color sensor: specs and pinout
A programmable colour light-to-frequency converter chip: a photodiode array with red, green, blue and clear filters whose square-wave output frequency follows the light level.
Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Supply voltage VDD | 2.7 V min, 5 V nom, 5.5 V max | source Recommended Operating Conditions (pp.5-6) |
| Supply current, power-on | 1.4 mA typ, 2 mA max (VDD 5 V, 25 C) | source Electrical Characteristics (Figure 8, p.6) |
| Full-scale frequency, S0=H S1=H | 500 kHz min, 600 kHz typ | source Electrical Characteristics (Figure 8, p.6) |
| Output frequency scaling (S0,S1) | LL power down; LH 2 %; HL 20 %; HH 100 % | source Selectable Options table (p.4) |
| Photodiode filter select (S2,S3) | LL red; LH blue; HL clear; HH green | source Selectable Options table (p.4) |
| Operating temperature | -40 to 70 C (recommended) | source Recommended Operating Conditions |
| Output high level VOH | 4 V min, 4.5 V typ (IOH -2 mA, VDD 5 V) | source Electrical Characteristics (Figure 8, p.6) |
Power
| Value | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Supply | 2.7-5.5 V (chip) | source Electrical Characteristics (Figure 8, p.6) |
| Current | 1.4 mA typ power-on at VDD 5 V | source Electrical Characteristics (Figure 8, p.6) |
Chip pins
These are the pins of the chip on the module, from the chip datasheet. The module's own header may label or expose them differently.
Pins above are the TCS3200 chip (SOIC-8) pins. The colour sensor module board (header order, any on-board LEDs or regulator) is not covered by an official document.
| Pin | Function | Voltage | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S0 | Output frequency scaling select | Chip pin 1 | source Terminal Functions (p.4) | |
| S1 | Output frequency scaling select | Chip pin 2 | source Terminal Functions (p.4) | |
| OE | Enable for fo (active low) | Chip pin 3 | source Terminal Functions (p.4) | |
| GND | Power supply ground | Chip pin 4 | source Terminal Functions (p.4) | |
| VDD | Supply voltage | Chip pin 5 | source Terminal Functions (p.4) | |
| OUT | Output frequency (fo) | Chip pin 6 | source Terminal Functions (p.4) | |
| S2 | Photodiode type select | Chip pin 7 | source Terminal Functions (p.4) | |
| S3 | Photodiode type select | Chip pin 8 | source Terminal Functions (p.4) |
Build with it
Project ideas for the TCS3200 color sensor. Each link opens Soldr with the prompt filled in; Soldr assigns the pins, checks power and shows how to wire every part.
- Colour name display: The sketch selects each filter with S2 and S3 and measures the output frequency with pulseIn. Runs from the Uno 5 V pin, within the chip's 2.7-5.5 V range.
- Colour sorter: The servo takes its own 5 V supply with a common ground, not the Uno 5 V pin under load.
- Colour readout on OLED: Run the sensor from 3.3 V (inside 2.7-5.5 V) so the output stays at ESP32 logic level. Use 2 % or 20 % output scaling if the full-scale frequency is too fast to read.
Common mistakes
- Leaving S0 and S1 both low: that powers the chip down and there is no output (source: link, Selectable Options p.4)
- Reading only one filter: red, green, blue and clear are chosen with S2 and S3 and read one after another (source: link, Selectable Options p.4)
- Leaving input pins floating: the sheet says OE and the select pins should be tied or driven, not left open (source: link, Power Supply Considerations)
Not covered by the official source
- Module board not covered by an official document.
Sources
- link (TCS3200 Datasheet DS000107, v1-01, 2018-Mar-14, ams-OSRAM)