TCRT5000 IR Line Tracking Sensor Module

TCRT5000 IR Line Tracking Sensor Module Overview

The TCRT5000 IR Line Tracking Sensor Module is a compact infrared reflectance sensor designed to detect black and white surfaces quickly and reliably. It combines an IR emitter and phototransistor in a single package and is commonly used in line-following robots, edge detection, position sensing, and general proximity detection in automation projects.

Why choose the TCRT5000 sensor?

• Fast and reliable reflectance detection for dark and light surfaces
• Easy integration with microcontrollers such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi, AVR, and PIC
• Adjustable threshold and both analog and digital outputs for flexible designs
• Low power consumption and compact footprint for space-constrained projects

Key Features

• Integrated infrared emitter and phototransistor (TCRT5000 package)
• Detection range: typically 0.2 cm to 15 cm (optimal < 12 mm)
• Onboard potentiometer to adjust sensitivity and switching threshold
• Dual outputs: Analog Output (AO) for variable readings and Digital Output (DO) for threshold switching
• Onboard comparator for clean digital signals and stable switching
• Indicator LED to show detection status at a glance
• Operating voltage: 3.3V to 5V, compatible with popular development boards
• Compact, durable, and energy-efficient design

Technical Specifications

• Sensor IC: TCRT5000 (IR emitter + phototransistor)
• Analog Output: AO (voltage proportional to reflected IR)
• Digital Output: DO (TTL level after comparator)
• Operating Voltage: 3.3V to 5V DC
• Typical Detection Range: 0.2 cm to 15 cm (optimal under 12 mm)
• Indicator: onboard LED
• Connections: 3-pin or 4-pin header depending on module variant (VCC, GND, AO, DO)

Wiring and Integration

Basic connections

• VCC: 3.3V to 5V power supply
• GND: Ground
• AO: Analog output to ADC pin on microcontroller (optional)
• DO: Digital output to digital input pin on microcontroller (optional)

Arduino example wiring

• Connect VCC to 5V (or 3.3V) on Arduino
• Connect GND to Arduino GND
• Connect AO to an analog pin (A0) to read reflectance values
• Connect DO to a digital pin (D2) to use threshold switching
• Use the onboard potentiometer to set the DO switching threshold

Raspberry Pi integration

• Use 3.3V VCC when connecting to Raspberry Pi 3.3V GPIO to avoid voltage issues
• Connect AO to an external ADC if analog readings are required (Pi has no built-in ADC)
• Connect DO directly to a GPIO pin for digital detection (use proper pull-up or pull-down configuration)

Calibration and Mounting Tips

• Mount the sensor 5 to 12 mm from the surface for optimal detection sensitivity
• Adjust the onboard potentiometer while monitoring AO or the indicator LED until the module reliably distinguishes black from white surfaces
• Use shielding or a small tube around the sensor to reduce ambient light interference in bright environments
• For multi-sensor arrays in line-following robots, calibrate each sensor individually under the same lighting conditions

Typical Applications

• Line-following robots and educational robotics kits
• Edge detection and position sensing in mobile robots
• Obstacle proximity sensing for lightweight automation
• DIY electronics projects, STEM learning, and prototyping

Quick Start

• Wire VCC and GND to your controller supply
• Use AO to get raw reflectance values and DO for threshold events
• Turn the potentiometer to tune detection threshold for your surface and lighting
• Test with black and white reference samples to confirm reliable switching

Note: Images are for illustration purposes only.