SparkFun
SparkFun Spectral Sensor Breakout - AS7263 NIR (Qwiic)
The SparkFun AS7263 breakout brings near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to your microcontroller projects. The sensor measures six discrete NIR wavelengths, allo...
The SparkFun AS7263 breakout brings near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to your microcontroller projects. The sensor measures six discrete NIR wavelengths, allowing you to characterise how different materials absorb and reflect light — useful for material identification, agricultural sensing, and colour analysis beyond the visible spectrum.
The board communicates over I²C or serial (AT commands) and includes a Qwiic connector for quick hookup. An onboard illumination LED helps produce consistent readings, and two additional pads allow you to solder your own LED for specialised applications.
Key Features
- 6-Channel NIR Sensor – Detects 610, 680, 730, 760, 810, and 860 nm (20 nm FWHM each)
- Dual Interface – I²C and serial (AT command) communication
- Qwiic Connector – Polarised, solderless I²C connection
- Onboard Illumination LED – Built-in light source for consistent measurements
- Custom LED Pads – Two solder pads for adding your own illumination source
Specifications
- Sensor: ams AS7263
- Channels: 6 NIR (610–860 nm)
- FWHM: 20 nm per channel
- Interface: I²C / Serial (AT commands)
- Supply Voltage: 3.3 V
Ideal For
- Material identification and sorting
- Agricultural and plant health monitoring
- Colour and quality analysis
- Science and education experiments
Package Contents
- 1× SparkFun AS7263 NIR Spectral Sensor Breakout
Resources
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Torque
- A twisting force that causes something to rotate, usually measured in newton-metres or kilogram-centimetres. It matters when choosing motors, servos, gears, and tools because higher torque is needed to lift heavier loads, turn larger wheels, or move mechanisms without stalling.
Find this product in
Sensors & Input
AS726x Spectral Sensor Breakout Schematic
Schematic · 63.2 KB · Click any page to view full size
AS7263 Datasheet
Datasheet · 778.5 KB · Click any page to view full size
Supplier page — sparkfun.com
Supplier Description · 708.1 KB · Click any page to view full size
Resources & Downloads
Guides, code examples, and more
Related Tutorials
Free guides on learn.littlebird.com.au
