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TCS34725 RGB Color Sensor Module

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Ekostra Electronics

April 7, 2025

On April 7, 2025

TCS34725 RGB Color Sensor Module

High-Accuracy Digital Color Detection with IR Filter

Introduction

The TCS34725 is a digital RGB color sensor with IR blocking filter that provides precise color sensing through an I2C interface. This sensor offers better color accuracy than traditional light-to-frequency sensors by providing direct digital outputs for red, green, blue, and clear light sensing.

Key Features

🌈 True RGB Sensing

Separate digital outputs for red, green, blue, and clear channels

🔍 IR Filter

Integrated IR blocking filter for accurate color measurement

⚙️ Programmable

Adjustable integration time and gain

🔌 I2C Interface

Simple connection with 3.3V or 5V microcontrollers

Technical Specifications

Detection Range	380nm-780nm (Visible Light Spectrum)
Resolution	16-bit per channel (RGB and Clear)
Interface	I2C (0x29 default address)
Supply Voltage	2.7V – 3.6V (5V tolerant I/O)
Current Consumption	0.65mA (typical at 50ms integration)
Integration Time	2.4ms – 614ms (programmable)
Gain Settings	1x, 4x, 16x, 60x

Pin Configuration

Pin	Label	Description	Arduino Connection
1	VCC	Power (3.3V)	3.3V
2	GND	Ground	GND
3	SCL	I2C Clock	A5 (Uno) or SCL
4	SDA	I2C Data	A4 (Uno) or SDA
5	LED	LED control (optional)	Digital pin (optional)
6	INT	Interrupt output (optional)	Digital pin (optional)

Note: The sensor requires proper lighting conditions for accurate color detection

Wiring with Arduino

// Basic I2C Connections:
// VCC → 3.3V
// GND → GND
// SCL → A5 (Uno) or SCL
// SDA → A4 (Uno) or SDA

// Optional connections:
// LED → Digital pin (to control illumination LED)
// INT → Digital pin (for interrupt functionality)

// Requires Adafruit TCS34725 library

Important: Use 3.3V power supply for the sensor, though I/O pins are 5V tolerant

Basic Color Detection Example

// TCS34725 Color Sensor Basic Example
#include <Wire.h>
#include <Adafruit_TCS34725.h>

Adafruit_TCS34725 tcs = Adafruit_TCS34725(TCS34725_INTEGRATIONTIME_50MS, TCS34725_GAIN_4X);

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  
  if (!tcs.begin()) {
    Serial.println("Could not find TCS34725 sensor");
    while (1);
  }
}

void loop() {
  uint16_t r, g, b, c;
  
  tcs.getRawData(&r, &g, &b, &c);
  
  Serial.print("R: "); Serial.print(r);
  Serial.print(" G: "); Serial.print(g);
  Serial.print(" B: "); Serial.print(b);
  Serial.print(" C: "); Serial.println(c);
  
  delay(500);
}

Advanced Features

Color Temperature

// Calculate color temperature
uint16_t colorTemp = tcs.calculateColorTemperature(r, g, b);
Serial.print("Color Temp: "); Serial.print(colorTemp); Serial.println(" K");

Lux Calculation

// Calculate illuminance (lux)
uint16_t lux = tcs.calculateLux(r, g, b);
Serial.print("Lux: "); Serial.println(lux);

Interrupt Function

// Set interrupt thresholds
tcs.setInterrupt(true);  // Enable interrupt
tcs.setIntLimits(1000, 2000); // Set low and high thresholds
// Connect INT pin to handle interrupts

RGB to Hex

// Convert RGB to hex color code
String rgbToHex(uint16_t r, uint16_t g, uint16_t b) {
  char hexColor[8];
  sprintf(hexColor, "#%02X%02X%02X", r>>8, g>>8, b>>8);
  return String(hexColor);
}