Arduino Color Sensing Tutorial - TCS230 TCS3200 Color Sensor

Tutorial: How to Detect Colors Using Arduino and TCS230 Color Sensor

Step 1: Introduction to TCS230 Color Sensor

• The TCS230 Color Sensor works by using an 8x8 array of photodiodes to detect colors.
• A current to frequency converter converts readings from the photodiodes into a square wave with a frequency proportional to light intensity.
• By connecting the sensor to an Arduino board, we can read the square wave output to determine the detected color.

Step 2: Understanding the Sensor

• The sensor has photodiodes with three different color filters: red, green, blue, and clear (no filter).
• Each set of 16 photodiodes with the same color filter are connected in parallel.
• Control pins S2 and S3 are used to select which photodiodes will be active based on the desired color.

Step 3: Connecting the TCS230 Sensor to Arduino

• Define the pins to which the sensor is connected in the Arduino code.
• Define a variable to read the frequency output from the sensor.
• Set the control pins as outputs and the sensor output as an input in the setup section.
• Set the frequency scaling (e.g., 20%) and start serial communication for displaying results on the serial monitor.

Step 4: Reading Color Frequencies

• In the loop section, start by reading the red filtered photodiodes by setting S2 and S3 to a low logic level.
• Use the pulsing function to read the output frequency and store it in the 'frequency' variable.
• Print the results on the serial monitor using the Serial.print function.
• Repeat the same procedure for green and blue colors by adjusting the control pins accordingly.

Step 5: Interpreting Color Detection Results

• Check the values displayed on the serial monitor, which vary based on the selected frequency scaling and surrounding lighting conditions.
• The values change when different colors are placed in front of the sensor, indicating color detection capability.

Step 6: Mapping Color Values

• To represent detected colors using the RGB model (values from 0 to 255), use the map function to convert readings to the desired range.
• For example, map the initial value of 70 to 0 and the value of 25 to 255 for accurate color representation.

Step 7: Conclusion and Further Projects

• The TCS230 Color Sensor can be used for various projects, including an Arduino automatic color sorting machine.
• Explore more tutorials and projects on howtomechatronics.com for additional learning opportunities.

By following these steps, you can successfully detect colors using Arduino and the TCS230 Color Sensor. Experiment with different color combinations and project ideas to enhance your understanding of color sensing technology.