Atonm Knowledge Base | Color Sensor Principles and Applications

What is a Color Sensor?

White light is composed of red, green and blue primary colors, each with different wavelengths. Different mixes of these colors produce different perceived colors. When white light hits a surface, wavelengths matching the surface color are reflected while others are absorbed. The reflected light reaching the eye creates the colors we see.

A color sensor, also known as an RGB color recognizer, is a device for detecting object color. Common types are grayscale-based mark sensors and RGB ratio-based color sensors.

How Color Sensors Work

The RGB color recognizer detects color using two components:

1. A high-intensity white LED light source to illuminate the target;

2. A receiver that measures reflected wavelength components.

Color Sensors include a white light emitter and three filters with peak sensitivities at approximately 580nm, 540nm and 450nm to measure red, green and blue components respectively.

Color classification is based on signals from these filters. The sensor also includes a photoelectric voltage converter; it determines color by measuring voltages generated by different RGB proportions.

Color Sensor Applications

Color sensors are mainly used to detect surface color and are broadly applied in industry, medical, and security systems. Typical uses include mixture detection, presence detection and stain detection. Atonm offers three color sensor models: intelligent CL1, high-precision CL2 and integrated mark sensor CL3:

1. Intelligent Color Sensor CL1

• Supports triple 16-bit RGB calculation, can detect nearly 3000 colors and accurately identify slight color differences;
• Smart digital sensitivity settings with multi-digit display for easy operation;
• 200μs fast response and multiple sensing heads for different sizes and distances;
• External detection head using fiber optics for a high-intensity single spot, reducing sensing head size and easing installation;
• Multiple detection modes for diverse applications;
• Can recognize one color while storing up to eight colors for quick switching;

2. High-precision Color Sensor CL2

• Supports triple 16-bit RGB calculation, detecting nearly 3000 colors and precise micro-difference recognition;
• Smart digital sensitivity settings with multi-digit display for easy operation;
• 200μs response time and multiple sensing head options;
• External detection head with fiber optics producing a high-intensity spot for easy installation;
• Multiple detection modes to suit different requirements;
• Can recognize four colors while storing eight, simple operation.

3. Integrated Mark Sensor CL3

• Built-in RGB color and mark modes;
• Suitable for multiple distance detections;
• Adjustable hysteresis to eliminate errors from target vibration;
• Spot size approximately 1.5*7mm (23mm detection distance);
• Dual-mode color + intensity detection prevents false outputs in edge or no-background positions, improving stability;
• Compact integrated probe and host design.

Atonm color sensors are widely used and meet diverse customer needs.

Color Sensor Applications example: