# Overview The **Lonely Binary TinkerBlock TK57 Reflective Optical Sensor** is a compact and versatile sensor designed for precise detection of objects, surfaces, and lines in a variety of electronics projects. Featuring an infrared LED emitter and a phototransistor receiver, the TK57 detects reflected infrared light to provide reliable analog output, making it ideal for applications such as line-following robots, proximity sensing, and surface color detection. With its simple three-pin interface (VCC, GND, and Signal), the TK57 is easy to integrate with microcontrollers like Arduino, ESP32 and Raspberry Pi, and other platforms, offering makers and hobbyists a robust solution for interactive projects.  # Pinout | Pin | Function | | ------ | ------------- | | GND | Ground | | VCC | VCC | | NC | Not Connected | | Signal | Analog | # Dimensions  # Components ## TCRT5000 It’s an infrared reflective sensor commonly used in electronics projects, particularly with Arduino, for tasks like line-following robots, object detection, and proximity sensing. The TCRT5000 is a reflective optical sensor that includes: - An **infrared LED emitter** (emits IR light at 950nm). - A **phototransistor receiver** (detects reflected IR light, with a daylight-blocking filter to reduce visible light interference). - A compact package with two mounting clips, available in standard (TCRT5000) and long-lead (TCRT5000L) versions. #### Key Features - **Detection Range**: 1mm to 25mm (optimal at ~2.5mm). - **Operating Voltage**: 3.3V to 5V. - **Output**: Can provide **analog** (voltage proportional to reflected light intensity) or **digital** (high/low based on a threshold, adjustable via a potentiometer on some modules). - **Applications**: Line following, obstacle detection, color detection (e.g., black vs. white surfaces), and proximity sensing. - **Limitations**: Sensitive to environmental IR sources (e.g., sunlight), which can be mitigated with noise cancellation or baseline readings. # Sample Code ``` cpp const int sensorPin = A3; // TK57 Signal pin connected to A0 void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); // Start serial communication } void loop() { int sensorValue = analogRead(sensorPin); // Read analog value (0-1023) Serial.println(sensorValue); // Print value for debugging delay(100); // Short delay for stable readings } ``` # Product Link For product support, manuals, tutorials, and sample code, please visit our product page to access comprehensive resources. [https://lonelybinary.com/products/tk57](https://lonelybinary.com/products/tk57) # Support If you encounter any issues, please go to [https://lonelybinary.com ](https://lonelybinary.com ) and click the Support button located in the bottom right corner. Our team is ready to assist you. [](https://lonelybinary.com) # Thank You Thank you for choosing TinkerBlock to fuel your passion for STEM! Whether you’re a student diving into coding, an educator shaping future innovators, a hobbyist bringing your vision to life, or a business seeking cutting-edge solutions, TinkerBlock empowers you to create, learn, and innovate. **For school orders, wholesale inquiries, or custom business solutions, please contact us to discuss your specific needs.** [office@lonelybinar.com](office@lonelybinary.com) > **Unleash Your Creativity with TinkerBlock – Where Coding Meets the Real World!**