Adafruit

TCS3430/TCS34303 Ambient Tri-Stimulus Colour Sensor

Name: TCS3430/TCS34303 Ambient Tri-Stimulus Colour Sensor
Brand: Adafruit
SKU: AF-6479
Price: 23.35 AUD
Availability: InStock

· MPN: ADA6479

Breakouts Sensors Light & Colour Sensors & Modules Arduino Sensors SparkFun Qwiic Ecosystem Raspberry Pi Sensors

$23.35 |

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This breakout brings ambient light tri-stimulus colour sensing to your project using CIE XYZ plus an IR channel, rather than the more common RGB-style approa...

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This breakout brings ambient light tri-stimulus colour sensing to your project using CIE XYZ plus an IR channel, rather than the more common RGB-style approach. It is designed for applications where you want access to the raw sensor count data so you can match and calibrate it to your own colour space workflow.

The sensing channels are centred at 437nm (X1), 574nm (X2), 537nm (Y) and 434nm (Z), and the expectation is that you will calibrate the readings against a known colour space analyser for your application. Adafruit notes that if you want a sensor that directly outputs CIE and lux data, the OPT4048 is a more complete option; this board is better suited to projects that need the underlying XYZ+IR readings.

To make integration easier, Adafruit has mounted the TCS34303 on a breakout PCB with support circuitry for both 3.3V and 5V logic levels. It communicates over I2C, so wiring is simple, and the board includes SparkFun qwiic-compatible STEMMA QT connectors for solderless connection to compatible systems. CircuitPython/Python and Arduino drivers are available, making it quick to start reading XYZ+IR data with boards such as Feather, Raspberry Pi, Arduino and Metro328.

A QT cable is not included, so you will need to supply your own if you want to use the onboard STEMMA QT/qwiic connectors.

Jargon buster

Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.

3.3V and 5V logic levels: Logic level refers to the voltage a digital device uses to represent on and off signals, commonly 3.3V or 5V. When a board supports both 3.3V and 5V logic, it can connect more easily to common microcontrollers and single-board computers without extra level-shifting hardware.
breakout: A breakout board carries a small or fine-pitched component and brings its connections out to standard, breadboard- and header-friendly pins. Describing a part as a breakout means it can be wired into a project without soldering directly to the component's tiny contacts.
CircuitPython: A beginner-friendly version of Python designed to run directly on microcontroller boards. If a product supports CircuitPython, you can often program it by copying code files onto the board rather than setting up a more complex toolchain.
I2C: I2C is a two-wire communication bus used by many sensors and small modules. It matters because several I2C devices can share the same two wires, but each device needs a compatible address and your controller must support I2C.
lux: Lux is the standard unit for measuring how much light falls on a surface, similar to how a light meter reports brightness. A sensor that outputs lux gives readings that are easier to compare between rooms, outdoor conditions, and different projects.
PCB: A printed circuit board (PCB) is a board, usually rigid, with etched copper tracks that connect electronic components together without loose wiring. Components are mounted on the board and signals route between them through the copper layout.
Qwiic: Qwiic is a plug-in connector system for I2C devices that uses small 4-pin cables, so you can connect compatible sensors without soldering. It matters because your controller or adapter also needs Qwiic, or you will need a cable or breakout to wire it up.
RGB: Short for red, green and blue, the three primary colours of light that are mixed in varying amounts to make a wide range of colours. In electronics RGB can refer to an LED or pixel that blends these three colours, or to a colour signal or interface that carries separate red, green and blue channels.
STEMMA: A plug-and-cable connection system used on some maker electronics boards to make wiring simpler. If a product uses STEMMA, you need the matching cable or connector type to plug it in without soldering.
STEMMA QT: A small plug-in connector system for I2C boards that lets you connect compatible sensors and controllers without soldering. It matters because it can make wiring faster and less error-prone, especially when adding several small modules to a project.