Is there any IR sensor that can differentiate color in the market at low cost?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the availability of infrared (IR) sensors that can differentiate color, particularly focusing on the definitions of color in relation to the infrared spectrum versus the visible spectrum. Participants explore the capabilities and limitations of IR sensors in detecting different frequencies and the concept of color in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests a datasheet, indicating interest in specific technical details.
  • Another participant questions the premise of discussing "color" in the context of IR, noting that IR wavelengths are outside the visible spectrum, but acknowledges that different frequencies can be detected.
  • A third participant explains that while IR sensors detect radiation, they do not provide "color" information as understood in the visible spectrum, and mentions the concept of "false color" IR imaging.
  • A fourth participant introduces a digital color sensor, the TCS3414, which operates in the visible spectrum and can derive color chromaticity and illuminance, suggesting it as a solution for color detection.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definition of color in relation to IR sensors, with some asserting that IR sensors cannot detect color as defined in the visible spectrum, while others point out that different frequencies can be detected. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the original question of low-cost IR sensors that can differentiate color.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in defining "color" in the context of IR sensors and the potential confusion between visible and infrared wavelengths. There are unresolved assumptions about the capabilities of IR sensors and the specific requirements for color differentiation.

kloong
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Where can i get the datasheet?
thanks.
 
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I am not sure I understand the question. You can't talk about "colour" in the case of IR since the wavelength are -by definition- outside the visible spectrum (on the red side, hence infra-red).
But if you by "colour" simply mean different frequencies, then yes there are. Although it obviously depends on which wavelength you need. I believe one common way of doing this is to use several (wideband) diodes of the same type, but put different types of filters in front of them.
 
IR sensors operate in the infrared spectrum while "colors" are defined in the visible spectrum. A red hot steel rod will emit a different IR spectrum than a white hot steel rod and an inference can be made from the IR signal as to what the "color" of the rod might be to the human eye... but this is a special case.

IR sensors will detect radiation emitted by an object or reflected by an object. But in neither case does the detected radiation contain "color" information.

A "false color" IR image on the other hand, as f95toli has said, is created by the arbitrary assignment of colors to particular ranges of IR frequencies or intensities.

See;
http://www.maxmax.com/false_color_ir.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrared_photography
http://dimagemaker.com/2009/05/03/false-color-infrared-images-with-the-xdp-filter/
.
 
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Yes, there are colour sensors on the market which work in the visible.

The TCS3414 digital colour sensor is designed to accurately derive the colour chromaticity and illuminance (intensity) of ambient light, providing a digital output with 16-bit resolution.

for more info check out
http://www.pacer.co.uk/jkcm/Products/Categories/Visible+and+Ambient+Light+Sensors/Colour+Sensors
 
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