Pololu
QTRX-MD-13A Reflectance Sensor Array: 13-Channel, 8mm Pitch, Analog Output, Low Current
The QTRX-MD-13A is a 13-channel reflectance sensor array designed for line-following robots and reflectance detection applications. It uses high-performance ...
Get notified when back in stock
The QTRX-MD-13A is a 13-channel reflectance sensor array designed for line-following robots and reflectance detection applications. It uses high-performance QTRX sensor modules with lenses, providing strong performance at a low 3.5 mA LED current per channel. The analog voltage output (0 V to VCC) can be read directly by a microcontroller's ADC.
The array features integrated LED drivers with 32-level brightness dimming, independent of supply voltage. With 13 sensors at 8 mm pitch, separate odd/even emitter control pins allow advanced sensing configurations such as detecting reflections at different angles.
Key Features
- 13 QTRX Sensors – High-performance modules with lenses for low-current operation
- 8 mm Pitch – Medium-density sensor spacing
- Analog Output – 0 V (strong reflectance) to VCC (no reflectance)
- Operating Voltage – 2.9 V to 5.5 V
- LED Current – 3.5 mA per emitter (full brightness)
- Max Board Current – 31 mA
- 32-Level Dimming – Independent brightness control via CTRL pins
- Odd/Even Emitter Control – Separate CTRL ODD and CTRL EVEN pins
- Optimal Sensing Distance – 10 mm (max 40 mm)
- Dimensions – 101.0 × 16.5 × 3.0 mm
- Weight – 6.2 g
Ideal For
- Line-following robots
- Edge detection and surface tracking
- Proximity and presence sensing
- Reflectance-based colour sorting
Package Contents
- 1× QTRX-MD-13A Reflectance Sensor Array
Resources
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- ADC
- An analogue-to-digital converter reads a changing voltage and turns it into a number the microcontroller can use. It matters when connecting analogue sensors such as light, sound, or variable-resistor sensors.
- Headers
- Rows of connector contacts on a fixed pitch (commonly 2.54 mm) used to link a board to a breadboard, jumper wires, or another board. They come as male pin headers and female socket headers; when a module ships with pre-soldered headers it can be used straight away, whereas bare pads require soldering the pins yourself.
- LED
- A light-emitting diode (LED) is a small electronic component that emits light when current flows through it in the correct direction. Because it only conducts one way, its polarity matters, and a through-hole LED must be soldered the correct way around to light up.
- microcontroller
- A microcontroller is a small computer on a single chip that runs a stored program and controls connected inputs and outputs such as buttons, sensors, displays and communication interfaces. In a device built around one, it is the part that executes the code and coordinates the device's behaviour.
- VCC
- VCC is the positive power-supply connection on a chip or module. Connecting it to the correct supply voltage is needed for the part to power on and helps avoid damaging the electronics.
Find this product in
Brands
Sensors & Input
Related Tutorials
Free guides on learn.littlebird.com.au
