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Proximity sensor

Hi,

I made a proximity sensor with this IR emitter LL-503IRC2V-2AD and this phototransistor LTR-3208E
wavelength 940nm.

it works well, except if I expose it to sunlight both directly and indirectly ...

can you recommend something to solve?

can I put a filter in front of the window where the emitter and the phototransistor are located?

it is urgent thanks….
 

Harald Kapp

Moderator
Moderator
Sunlight contains IR. An optical filter cannot block IR because that makes the whole purpose moot. So IR from sunlight will interfere with you sensor.
You can, however, use modulated IR. E.g. use a 555 to pulse the transmitting LED at a few kHz. Then add a high-pass filter to the receiver. As sunlight will create a DC component, this will be blocked by the high pass.
 

Harald Kapp

Moderator
Moderator
Possible: yes.
Quick and easy: maybe.

The transmitter part is simple: add a 555 as astable mutivibrator to drive the LED. You'll find suitable circuits on the internet en masse. Use 1 kHz or higher to exclude 50 Hz or 60 Hz hum from disturbing the circuit.
For the receiver you can try this:
- remove C9, U2, R7, V2, C4
- connect the collector of PH1 to the left side of C5 (where U2, pin 2 used to be connected).

Only the AC signal from the LED will pass through C5 and trigger U1. Give it a try.
To reduce sensitivity to low frequency (50 Hz or 60 Hz) interference you may reduce C5 from 100 nF to 10 nF or even 1 nF. It's up to your experiments.
If the circuit does not operate reliably and stable, a signal conditioning amplifier between PH1 and C5 may be required.
 

bertus

Moderator
Hello,

Or you could shield the sensor from the sunlight as AlbertHall told you on AAC:
Alternatively, you could put a small tube in front of the receiver so it can only see directly in front.

Bertus
 
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