TCS34725 RGB Color Sensor

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Overview

A sensor that detects object colors and measures RGB (Red, Green, Blue) color values. It features a built-in White LED for measurements in dark environments and an infrared (IR) blocking filter to minimize IR spectrum components from external light, enabling accurate color detection. Uses I2C interface.

Specifications

Operating Voltage: 3.3-5V
Operating Current: 65 uA
Detection Range: 3 – 10 mm
The Clock Frequency: 0 – 400 KHZ
Interface: I2C
Temperature Range: -30℃ – + 70 ℃

Supported GPIO

Raspberry Pi 0~4
Raspberry Pi 5
BeagleBone Black/Green
Jetson Nano
FT232H, FT2232H, FT4232H
MCP2221

Commands

[CONFIG]

Configures integration time and gain settings.

Item	Type	Description
Integration Time	WRITE	Determines how long the sensor will receive light to measure color. Higher values increase accuracy but also noise, and make measurements slower. (2.4ms,24ms,50ms,60ms,101ms,120ms,154ms,180ms,199ms,240ms, 300ms,360ms,401ms,420ms,480ms,499ms,540ms,600ms,614ms)
Gain	WRITE	Determines how much to amplify the measured light intensity. Higher values increase sensitivity but also noise. (1x,4x,16x,60x)

[GET_DATA]

Reads the measured object color (R,G,B) and calculates color temperature and Lux values.

Item	Type	Description
R	READ	R value of the measured color
G	READ	G value of the measured color
B	READ	B value of the measured color
Color Temperature *	READ	Calculated color temperature value
Lux *	READ	Calculated Lux value

* Reference – Refer to DN40 document

Example

Objective

Detect object colors and display R, G, B values on dashboard widgets.

Parts

Part	Quantity
Raspberry Pi 4 *	1
TCS34725	1

* Other hardware can also be used. Refer to Supported GPIO.

Wiring

Connect each component to the corresponding connection as listed in each row below.

TCS34725	GPIO
3V3	3.3V
GND	GND
SCL	3 (I2C1 SCL)
SDA	2 (I2C1 SDA)

Project Link

References

Datasheet

Application Note – DN40

Library