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 ...
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 metal pins used to plug a module into a breadboard or connect it with jumper wires. Pre-soldered headers make the module easier to use straight away without needing to solder the pins yourself.
- LED
- A light-emitting diode is a small electronic component that lights up when current flows through it in the correct direction. In this kit, LEDs create the flashing effect, so polarity and correct soldering matter for the project to work.
- microcontroller
- A microcontroller is a small computer on a chip that runs your program and controls connected inputs and outputs. For this product, it is the part that reads buttons and sensors, drives the display and speaker, and communicates over Bluetooth.
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Brands
Sensors & Input
Related Tutorials
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