MIKROE Color 14 Click is a compact add-on board that represents an accurate color sensing solution. This board features the APDS-9151, an integrated RGB, ambient light sensing, IR LED, and a complete proximity detection system from Broadcom Limited. This Click board™, an I2C configurable color sensor, uses four individual red, green, blue, and IR (RGB+IR) channels in a specially designed matrix arrangement, allowing optimal angular response and accurate RGB spectral response with high lux accuracy over various light sources. The proximity detection feature operates well from bright sunlight to dark rooms. This Click board™ is suitable for accurately measuring the subtlest changes in light, ambient light, and proximity detection allowing for maximum flexibility in applications.

Color 14 Click is supported by a mikroSDK compliant library, which includes functions that simplify software development.

Color 14 Click as its foundation uses the APDS-9151, a digital I2C compatible interface ambient light sensor (ALS), RGB, and proximity sensor with IR LED from Broadcom Limited. It uses four channels (Red, Green, Blue, and IR) in a specially designed matrix arrangement to achieve optimal angular response and accurate RGB spectral response with high lux accuracy over various light sources. It is suitable for use under a small aperture of the devices' cover windows, providing optimum viewing in diverse lighting conditions.

The proximity detection feature operates well from bright sunlight to dark rooms. Proximity resolution can vary from 8bits to 11bits, with the measurement rate from 6.25ms to 400ms. To offset unwanted reflected light from the cover glass, a proximity detection (PS) intelligent cancellation level register allows for an on-chip subtraction of the ADC count caused by the unwanted reflected light from PS ADC output. Both the PS and ALS function independently provides maximum flexibility in application.

The APDS-9151 has a wide dynamic range, with a programmable current in eight different steps and the LED modulation frequency, which can be set from 60kHz to 100kHz in five steps. The addition of the micro-optics lenses within the module provides highly efficient transmission and reception of infrared energy, which lowers overall power dissipation. In addition, the device can be put into a low-power Standby mode providing low average power consumption.

Color 14 Click communicates with MCU using the standard I2C 2-Wire interface with a frequency of 100kHz in Standard and up to 400kHz in Fast Mode. Since the sensor is supplied with a 3.3V logic voltage level only, the Color 14 Click also features a PCA9306 and SN74LVC1T45 voltage-level translators, allowing this Click board™ to be interfaced with both 3.3V and 5V MCUs. It also generates flexible ambient and proximity programmable interrupt signals routed on the INT pin of the mikroBUS™ socket, which is triggered if upper or lower threshold values are crossed. It is also possible to deactivate both sensors after a specific interrupt event occurs.

This Click board™ can operate with both 3.3V and 5V logic voltage levels selected via the VIO SEL jumper. This way, it is allowed for both 3.3V and 5V capable MCUs to use the I2C communication lines properly. However, the Click board™ comes equipped with a library containing easy-to-use functions and an example code that can be used, as a reference, for further development.

• Interface: I²C
• Compatibility: mikroBUS™
• Dimensions: 28.6 x 25.4mm
• Input Voltage: 3.3V or 5V
• Detection Range: Min. 0mm, Max. 60mm
• Peak Wavelength (R/G/B): 610/550/470nm
• Peak Wavelength (IR): 950nm
• Operating Temperature Range: Min. -40°C, +25°C, +85°C

• Schematic
• APDS-9151 Datasheet
• PCA9306 Datasheet
• SN74LVC1T45 Datasheet
• mikroSDK
• GitHub