The Electromagnetic Spectrum

The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum is the range of all types of EM radiation. Radiation
is energy that travels and spreads out as it goes – the visible light that comes from a
lamp in your house and the radio waves that come from a radio station are two types of
electromagnetic radiation.

The EM spectrum is generally divided into seven regions, in order of decreasing

wavelength and increasing energy and frequency. The common designations are: radio
waves, microwaves, infrared (IR), visible light, ultraviolet (UV), X-rays and gamma rays.
Infrared radiation (IR), or infrared light, is a type of radiant energy that's invisible to
human eyes but that we can feel as heat. All objects in the universe emit some level of
IR radiation, but two of the most obvious sources are the sun and fire

One of the most useful applications of the IR spectrum is in sensing and detection. All
objects on Earth emit IR radiation in the form of heat. This can be detected by electronic
sensors, such as those used in night vision goggles and infrared cameras. Infrared
spectroscopy measures IR emissions from materials at specific wavelengths.

IR Sensor
Infrared (IR) sensor is an electronic device that measures and detects infrared radiation
in its surrounding environment. Infrared radiation was accidentally discovered by an
astronomer named William Herchel in 1800. While measuring the temperature of each
color of light (separated by a prism), he noticed that the temperature just beyond the red
light was highest. IR is invisible to the human eye, as its wavelength is longer than that
of visible light (though it is still on the same electromagnetic spectrum).
There are two types of infrared sensors: active and passive. Active infrared sensors
both emit and detect infrared radiation. Active IR sensors have two parts: a light emitting
diode (LED) and a receiver. When an object comes close to the sensor, the infrared
light from the LED reflects off of the object and is detected by the receiver. Active IR
sensors act as Proximity sensor and they are commonly used in obstacle detection
systems (such as in robots).

Pin Configuration

Pin Name Description

VCC Power Supply Input

GND Power Supply Ground

OUT Active High Output

IR Sensor Module Features
 5VDC Operating voltage
 I/O pins are 5V and 3.3V compliant
 Range: Up to 20cm
 Adjustable Sensing range
 Built-in Ambient Light Sensor
 20mA supply current

Brief about IR Sensor Module

The IR sensor module consists mainly of the IR Transmitter and Receiver,

LM358Opamp, Variable Resistor, output LED .
IR LED Transmitter
IR 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 feets,. IR LED is white or transparent in colour, 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 , 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
colour coating on its outer side, Black colour 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 Photodiode’s series resistor voltage
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.
An Infrared light emitting diode (IR LED) is a special purpose LED emitting infrared rays
ranging from 700 nm to 1 mm wavelength. Different IR LEDs may produce infrared light
of differing wavelengths, just like different LEDs produce light of different colors.

IR LEDs are usually made of gallium arsenide or aluminium gallium arsenide. In

complement with IR receivers, these are commonly used as sensors.

The appearance of IR LED is same as a common LED. Since the human eye cannot
see the infrared radiations, it is not possible for a person to identify if an IR LED is
working.

Pin Diagram of IR LED

An IR LED is a type of diode or simple semiconductor. Electric current is allowed to flow

in only one direction in diodes. As the current flows, electrons fall from one part of the
diode into holes on another part. In order to fall into these holes, the electrons must
shed energy in the form of photons, which produce light.

IR sensor

An IR sensor is a device that detects IR radiation falling on it. Proximity sensor (used in
touchscreen phones and edge avoiding robots), contrast sensors (used in line following
robots) are some applications involving IR sensors.

Principle of Working

An IR sensor consists of two parts, the emitter circuit and the receiver circuit. This is
collectively known as a photo-coupler or an optocoupler.

The emitter is an IR LED and the detector is an IR photodiode. The IR phototdiode is

sensitive to the IR light emitted by an IR LED. The photo-diode’s resistance and output
voltage change in proportion to the IR light received. This is the underlying working
principle of the IR sensor.

The type of incidence can be direct incidence or indirect incidence. In direct incidence,
the IR LED is placed in front of a photodiode with no obstacle in between. In indirect
incidence, both the diodes are placed side by side with an opaque object in front of the
sensor. The light from the IR LED hits the opaque surface and reflects back to the
photodiode.