SparkFun
SparkFun Line Sensor Breakout - QRE1113 (Digital)
The SparkFun QRE1113 Line Sensor Breakout (Digital) is a compact IR reflectance sensor board that outputs a digital signal based on surface reflectivity. It ...
The SparkFun QRE1113 Line Sensor Breakout (Digital) is a compact IR reflectance sensor board that outputs a digital signal based on surface reflectivity. It uses a capacitor discharge circuit — the faster the 10 nF capacitor discharges, the more reflective the surface. This makes it straightforward to distinguish between light and dark surfaces using only a digital I/O pin.
The QRE1113 sensor contains an IR emitting LED and an IR-sensitive phototransistor, with a 100 Ω current-limiting resistor on board. White surfaces reflect more IR light and discharge the capacitor faster than dark surfaces, making this sensor ideal for line-following robots.
Key Features
- Digital Output – Capacitor discharge timing; no ADC required
- 3.3 V & 5 V Compatible – Works with both voltage levels
- Compact Board – 3-pin 0.1″ pitch header for easy breadboard or PCB connection
- Mounting Hole – Single hole for secure mechanical attachment
- On-Board Resistor – 100 Ω series resistor for the IR LED
Ideal For
- Line-following robots
- Edge detection on tabletop robots
- Surface reflectivity sensing
Package Contents
- 1× SparkFun QRE1113 Line Sensor Breakout (Digital)
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.
- breakout
- A breakout is a small circuit board that makes a tiny or hard-to-solder component easier to connect to with standard pins. It matters because this OLED module can be wired into a microcontroller project without needing to solder directly to the display’s fine contacts.
- 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.
- PCB
- A printed circuit board is a rigid board with copper tracks that connect electronic parts without loose wires. For this kit, the PCBs also form the airplane shape, so they are both the circuit base and part of the finished model.
- phototransistor
- A light-sensitive transistor that changes its electrical output when light hits it. Compared with a modulated IR receiver, a simple phototransistor can be more affected by ambient light, so it may need extra filtering or careful setup.
Find this product in
Brands
Sensors & Input
QRE1113 Digital Breakout Schematic
Schematic · 7.1 KB · Click any page to view full size
QRE1113 Sensor Datasheet
Datasheet · 532.5 KB · Click any page to view full size
Supplier page — sparkfun.com
Supplier Description · 591.7 KB · Click any page to view full size
Resources & Downloads
Guides, code examples, and more
Related Tutorials
Free guides on learn.littlebird.com.au
