Interfacing IR Sensor with Arduino | IR Sensor Arduino Code

Hello friends! Welcome back to ElectroDuino. This blog is based on Interfacing IR Sensor with Arduino | Obstacle Detection using IR Sensor. In the previous blog post, we were discussing “IR Sensor Module | How IR Sensor Module Works“. Here we will discuss how to use IR sensor module with Arduino, Circuit diagram, Digital data read Arduino Code, obstacle detection using the IR sensor module, Circuit diagram, and Arduino Code.

Introduction

Interfacing IR Sensor with Arduino is a first step to understanding how to use an IR sensor in different projects. Here we will make a basic project, where the IR sensor detects an object and indicated by an LED. Using this project we will also learn how to connect this sensor to the Arduino and how the Arduino reads output data from the sensor using programming/code.

The project concept is very simple when an obstacle or object comes in front of the IR sensor, then the sensor gives an output to the Arduino, then the Arduino sent output voltage to turn on the LED. When the sensor doesn’t detect an obstacle or object, then the Arduino turns off the LED.

Components Required

 IR Sensor Module Pin Diagram

IR sensor module has 3 terminals these are OUT pin, GND pin, and VCC pin.

How to use IR Sensor Module with Arduino

We need to connect the IR sensor with Arduino properly to read the output of the sensor. First of all, we connected the sensor Vcc pin to the Arduino 5v pin and the GND pin is connected to the Arduino ground (GND) pin, to activate the IR sensor module. Then connect the sensor output pin to one of the digital pin of Arduino to read the output value from the IR sensor module.

Arduino IR Sensor Circuit diagram

Circuit Wiring

Read Digital Data from IR Sensor using Arduino

After connecting the sensor with Arduino, now time to write a few lines of code to read digital data from the sensor.

First of all, we need to define the Arduino Digital Pin which is connected to the sensor and takes a variable for named that pin. Here the variable’s name is “IRSensor”.

int IRSensor = 7;

Set pinMode of this Arduino pin as input for reading the output from the sensor.

pinMode (IRSensor, INPUT);

This line is used to start the serial communication between the Arduino and your computer through the USB connection. for print the sensor output data on the serial monitor. The value 9600 sets the data rate in bits per second for serial data transmission.

Serial.begin (9600);

Next comes the main line of this code, which is used to read digital data from the sensor. Here the digitalRead() function is used, which is used to read the logic state at the pin. This function read voltage at this pin is High (5V) or Low (0V) or, and represents the pin logic state 1 or 0 (or HIGH/LOW). Then store the read value in the “Sensordata” variable.

int Sensordata = digitalRead (IRSensor);

These links are used to print output values on your serial monitor window.

Serial.print("Sensor value:");
Serial.println(Sensordata);

Arduino Code for Reading Digital Output

int IRSensor = 7; // connect ir sensor to arduino pin 3

void setup() 
 {
  pinMode (IRSensor, INPUT); // sensor pin INPUT
  Serial.begin (9600); // Starts the serial communication
 }

void loop()
 {
  //Define a variables for read the IRsensor   
  int Sensordata = digitalRead (IRSensor); 
  
  // Prints the output data on the Serial Monitor 
  Serial.print("Sensor value:");
  Serial.println(Sensordata);
 }

Obstacle Detection Circuit Diagram using IR Sensor Module and Arduino

Circuit Wiring

How the IR sensor module works as an obstacle detector

In this circuit, the sensor output pin is connected to the digital pin 3. The IR  or obstacle sensor gives logic HIGH (1) as output when there is no obstacle in front of it, and it will give logic LOW (0) output when an obstacle is placed in front of it. We need to read these logical changes on the Arduino. The LED is an indicator which is connected to Arduino digital pin 11. Interfacing the IR sensor with Arduino works using simple Logic. That is If Arduino reads LOW data from the sensor output pin, LED should turn ON. Else if Arduino reads HIGH data from the sensor output pin, LED should turn OFF. 

Obstacle Detection Arduino Code

int IRSensor = 3; // connect ir sensor to arduino pin 3
int LED = 11; // conect Led to arduino pin 13

void setup() 
{
  pinMode (IRSensor, INPUT); // sensor pin INPUT
  pinMode (LED, OUTPUT); // Led pin OUTPUT
  Serial.begin (9600); //// Starts the serial communication
}

void loop()
{
  //Define a variables for read the IRsensor   
  int Sensordata = digitalRead (IRSensor); 
  
  // Prints the output data on the Serial Monitor 
  Serial.print("Sensor value:");
  Serial.println(Sensordata);
  
  if (Sensordata == 0)  //Check the sensor output
  {
    digitalWrite(LED, HIGH); // LED High
    }
  
  else 
  {
    digitalWrite(LED, LOW); // LED LOW
  }
  
}

Code Analysis

Output

If you put an obstacle or object in front of the IR sensor, the LED is turn ON. When you remove the obstacle in front of it, LED is turn OFF.