TCS3103, TCS3104

LIGHT-TO-VOLTAGE COLOR SENSOR

TAOS108B − JULY 2010

2

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Copyright

E 2010, TAOS Inc.

The LUMENOLOGY

r Company

www.taosinc.com

Detailed Description

The TCS3103 and TCS3104 devices output a voltage that is linearly proportional to light intensity in the spectral

range of interest on each of the three sensor channels. Figure 2 shows how each sensor responds to light of

various wavelengths. The peak response of each of the three channels roughly corresponds to blue, green, and

red portions of the visible light spectrum. Thus, when light impinges upon the three elements, each element

gives an output that corresponds to the blue, green, and red components of the light. By measuring the

amplitude and ratios of the three channels, information about the color of the light can be obtained.

Each channel responds linearly to light intensity from a range of near zero light to a maximum value that is

determined by the gain and the supply voltage of the device. The output of the device can swing from near

ground level to near the supply voltage of the device. The dark voltage, or output of the device with no light input,

is determined by internal amplifier offsets and is factory-trimmed to be a minimum value. If very accurate,

low-level light measurement is required, the dark voltage value for each channel can be measured and

subtracted from subsequent light readings to obtain a more accurate light measurement.

The Multifunction Pin (MFP) on each device can be used for selecting gain mode (Table 1).

Table 1. Device Programming Option

Device

Mode

Details

TCS3103

GSM (Gain Select Mode)

2

TCS3104

GSM (Gain Select Mode)

4

Terminal Functions

TERMINAL

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

NAME

NO.

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

GND

2

Power

Power supply ground. All voltages are referenced to GND.

MFP

3

I

Multi-function logic input.

1

Power

Supply voltage.

4

O

Blue channel voltage output.

5

O

Green channel voltage output.

6

O

Red channel voltage output.

Available Options

DEVICE

Gain

PACKAGE − LEADS

PACKAGE DESIGNATOR

ORDERING NUMBER

TCS3103

2

Dual Flat No-Lead − 6

FN

TCS3103FN

TCS3104

4

Dual Flat No-Lead − 6

FN

TCS3104FN