SparkFun: QRD1114,Optical Detector/Phototransistor

Overview
The QRD1114 is a Optical Detector/Phototransistor that can be purchased from SparkFun. The datasheet describes it as:

'' This sensor uses an infrared emitted diode combined with an infrared phototransistor to detect the reflected infrared signal. Ideal for sensing black-to-white transitions or can be used to detect nearby objects (.5-1cm).''

Inputs and Outputs
The QRD1114 takes a supply voltage (Vs) of 0-5 V, while outputs via serial terminal.

Connecting to the Bone
The QRD1114 connects directly to the Beaglebone via one of the Analog In pins namely ain0-ain5. Also, with the other legs of the device connected to VDD_1.8V and GND respectively.

Sample C Code
/****************************************************************
 * 1) include 
 * 2) include 
 * 3) include 
 * 4) include 
 * 5) include 
 * 6) include 
 * 7) include 
 * 8) include 
 * 1) include 

/****************************************************************
 * Constants
 * 1) define MAX_BUF 64
 * 1) define MAX_BUF 64

/**************************************************************** int keepgoing = 1;
 * Global Variables

void signal_handler(int sig) {	printf( "Ctrl-C pressed, cleaning up and exiting..\n" ); keepgoing = 0; } /**************************************************************** * read_ain ****************************************************************/ int read_ain(char* ain){ FILE *fp; char ainPath[MAX_BUF]; char ainRead[MAX_BUF];

snprintf(ainPath, sizeof ainPath, "/sys/devices/platform/omap/tsc/%s", ain);

if((fp = fopen(ainPath, "r")) == NULL){ printf("Cannot open specified ain pin, %s\n", ain); return 1; }

if(fgets(ainRead, MAX_BUF, fp) == NULL){ printf("Cannot read specified ain pin, %s\n", ain); }	fclose(fp); return atoi(ainRead); }

/**************************************************************** * Main ****************************************************************/ int main(int argc, char **argv){

int ainPin; char ain[MAX_BUF]; float duty_cycle = 0; float avgDutyCycle = 0; int avgCount = 1; if (argc < 2){ printf("Usage: ./MiniProject02 "); exit(-1); }

signal(SIGINT, signal_handler); ainPin = atoi(argv[1]); snprintf(ain, sizeof ain, "ain%d", ainPin);

while (keepgoing) { usleep(100000); duty_cycle = read_ain(ain); printf("                                \r"); printf("Value: %d\r\n",(int)duty_cycle); fflush(stdout); }	fflush(stdout); return 0; }

You must specify the ain pin number as the first argument when executing this code after it is compiled.

Results
From observation, the darker the room, the higher the value that is outputted and vice versa the lighter the room, the lower the value is that is outputted.