PR4

IR Sensor

Version 1.1
May 2010
Cytron Technologies Sdn. Bhd.
Information contained in this publication regarding device applications and the like is intended through suggestion only and may be superseded by
updates. It is your responsibility to ensure that your application meets with your specifications. No representation or warranty is given and no liability is
assumed by Cytron Technologies Incorporated with respect to the accuracy or use of such information or infringement of patents or other intellectual
property rights arising from such use or otherwise. Use of Cytron Technologies’ products as critical components in life support systems is not
authorized except with express written approval by Cytron Technologies. No licenses are conveyed, implicitly or otherwise, under any intellectual
property rights.

OVERVIEW
FEATURES
This document describes the development of Cytron
Technologies DIY (Do It Yourself) Project PR4 (IR IR SENSOR
Sensor). The objective of this project is to introduce the
working principle of IR sensor. Circuit schematic is − Input voltage: 5VDC
provided. − Sensing Range: 5cm
− Output signal: analog voltage
− Emitting element: Infrared LED

SYSTEM OVERVIEW

Created by Cytron Technologies Sdn. Bhd. – All Rights Reserved 1

 ROBOT . HEAD to TOE
PR4 – IR Sensor

GENERAL DESCRIPTION LM324

IR (Infrared) is the typical light source being used in
the sensor for robot to detect opaque object. In this
project, no programming, microcontroller and
soldering are required.

IR Sensor (IR Receiver and IR Emitter)

The basic principle of IR sensor is based on an IR
emitter and an IR receiver. IR emitter will emit infrared
continuously when power is supplied to it. On the other
hand, the IR receiver will be connected and perform
the task of a voltage divider. IR receiver can be
imagined as a transistor with its base current
determined by the intensity of IR light received. The
lower the intensity of IR light cause higher resistance
between collector-emitter terminals of transistor, and
limiting current from collector to emiiter. This change
of resistance will further change the voltage at the
output of voltage divider. In others word, the greater
the intensity of IR light hitting IR receiver, the lower
the resistance of IR receiver and hence the output
voltage of voltage divider will decreased. Usually the
IR emitter and IR receiver will be mounted side by side,
pointing to a reflective surface. The further distance
away between emitter and receiver decrease the
amount of infrared light hitting the receiver if the
distance between the sensor and a reflective surface is
fixed.
Since the output voltage from voltage divider varies
with the intensity of IR light, and microcontroller is not
used in this project, a comparator (LM324) is used to
show the changes.
Figure 1
A LM324 consists of 4 comparators in an chip. It is
used to compare voltage pairs. Each comparator has
Vref+ and Vref-. Depending on the applications, user may
either connect a fixed reference voltage to Vref+ or Vref-..
In this example, the output voltage from voltage
divider (IR Receiver) is connected to Vref- and a preset
(variable resistor) is being used to generate voltage for
Vref+. Vref+ is considered as the threshold voltage for
comparator output to change. If Vref- is greater than
Vref+, Vout will be low (0V) and vice versa. Hence, the
voltage generated by comparator output of LM324 can
provide digital logic to microcontroller and in this
project it is being use to drive LED.
HARDWARE
This project will require following hardware:
a. IR Receiver
b. IR Emitter
c. LM324
d. Breadboard
e. Other necessary components

Please refer to component list in website for related

electronic components.

Created by Cytron Technologies Sdn. Bhd. – All Rights Reserved 2

 ROBOT . HEAD to TOE
PR4 – IR Sensor

GETTING STARTED IR transmitter

IR receiver
User can obtain the hardware set for this project (PR4) White paper
either by online purchase (www.cytron.com.my) or get
it from Cytron Technologies Shop. No PIC
microcontroller, programming and soldering required
in this project.
1. Once user has the hardware set, user may start
plug in the electronic components on the
protoboard. Protoboard is a fundamental tool
for beginner to develop their mini project, LED
where no soldering is required. Plug the
electronic components on breadboard
according to the schematic. Voltage regulator Figure 3
7805 is used to generate 5V from a 9V battery
as power source for the circuit. Schematic is
provided in Cytron website.

2. When plug the electronic components on

breadboard, ensure the components value and
polarity is correct. Figure 2 shows the circuit
connection on a breadboard for this project.

9V Power indicator LED

battery
Infrared
Light
emitted

Figure 4

4. To ensure that IR emitter is functioning, user

7805 voltage regulator
Figure 2
Warning: Before plug in the battery (Power), make
sure the polarity is correct to prevent permanent
damage to the circuit. Electrolytic capacitor mounted in
wrong polarity may cause small explosion.
may capture the infrared light emitted by
using a digital camera or a mobile phone with
camera since the infrared is beyond human
vision range. There should be a pink color
light source in the center of the transmitter as
shown in Figure 4 if it is working. If the
transmitter is working but still the result is
failed, please check the other parts of circuit
connection.

3. To see the working principle of IR sensor, use

a plain white paper as a reflective surface. The
result by moving a white paper over the top of
both IR transmitter and receiver is shown in
Figure 3.
WARRANTY
No warranty will be provided as this is DIY project.
Thus, user is advice to check the polarity of each
electronic component before mount it onto board and
powering up.

Created by Cytron Technologies Sdn. Bhd. – All Rights Reserved 3

 ROBOT . HEAD to TOE
PR4 – IR Sensor

* Cytron Technologies reserved the right to replace the component in the list with component of the same functionality
without prior notice.

Prepared by
Cytron Technologies Sdn. Bhd.
19, Jalan Kebudayaan 1A,
Taman Universiti,
81300 Skudai,
Johor, Malaysia.

Tel: +607-521 3178

Fax: +607-521 1861

URL: www.cytron.com.my
Email: support@cytron.com.my
sales@cytron.com.my

Created by Cytron Technologies Sdn. Bhd. – All Rights Reserved 4