IR Sensor Array for Line following

Description

IR LED Transmitter:
IR LED emits light, in the range of Infrared frequency. IR light is invisible to us as its wavelength (700nm – 1mm) is much higher than the visible light range. IR LEDs have light emitting angle of approx. 20-60 degree and range of approx. few centimeters to several feet’s, it depends upon the type of IR transmitter and the manufacturer. Some transmitters have the range in kilometers. IR LED white or transparent in color, so it can give out amount of maximum light.

Photodiode Receiver:
Photodiode acts as the IR receiver as its conducts when light falls on it. Photodiode is a semiconductor which has a P-N junction, operated in Reverse Bias, means it start conducting the current in reverse direction when Light falls on it, and the amount of current flow is proportional to the amount of Light. This property makes it useful for IR detection. Photodiode looks like a LED, with a black color coating on its outer side; Black color absorbs the highest amount of light.

LM358 Opamp:
LM358 is an Operational Amplifier (Op-Amp) is used as voltage comparator in the IR sensor. the comparator will compare the threshold voltage set using the preset (pin2) and the photodiode’s series resistor  voltage (pin3).

Photodiode’s series resistor voltage drop > Threshold voltage = Opamp output is High
Photodiode’s series resistor voltage drop < Threshold voltage = Opamp output is Low

When Opamp’s output is high the LED at the Opamp output terminal turns ON (Indicating the detection of Object).

Variable Resistor:
The variable resistor used here is a preset. It is used to calibrate the distance range at which object should be detected.