QTR-1RC Reflectance Sensor (2-Pack)



Note: The QTR-1RC reflectance sensor requires a digital I/O line to take readings. The similar QTR-1A reflectance sensor is available with an analog output.

Functional description

The Pololu QTR-1RC reflectance sensor carries a single infrared (IR) LED and phototransistor pair. To use the sensor, you must first charge the output node by applying a voltage to the OUT pin. You can then read the reflectance by withdrawing the externally supplied voltage and timing how long it takes the output voltage to decay due to the integrated phototransistor. Shorter decay time is an indication of greater reflection. This measurement approach has several advantages, especially when multiple units are used:

  • No analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is required
  • Improved sensitivity over voltage-divider analog output
  • Parallel reading of multiple sensors is possible with most microcontrollers



For a line sensor with eight of these units arranged in a row, please see the QTR-8RC reflectance sensor array; for a similar array of three slightly different sensor components, see the QTR-3RC. For a similar, smaller sensor with longer range, and intended for use with the board perpendicular to the surface, please see the QTR-L-1RC reflectance sensor.



  • Operating voltage: 5.0 V
  • Supply current: 17 mA
  • Output format: digital I/O-compatible signal that can be read as a timed high pulse
  • Optimal sensing distance: 0.125" (3 mm)
  • Maximum recommended sensing distance: 0.375" (9.5 mm)
  • Weight without header pins: 0.008 oz (0.2 g)
QTR-1RC output (yellow) when 1/8" above a black line and microcontroller timing of that output (blue).

Interfacing the QTR-1RC output to a digital I/O line

Like the Parallax QTI, this sensor requires a digital I/O line capable of driving the output line high and then measuring the time for the output voltage to decay. The typical sequence for reading a sensor is:

  1. Set the I/O line to an output and drive it high.
  2. Allow at least 10 μs for the sensor output to rise.
  3. Make the I/O line an input (high impedance).
  4. Measure the time for the voltage to decay by waiting for the I/O line to go low.

These steps can typically be executed in parallel on multiple I/O lines.

With a strong reflectance, the decay time can be as low as several dozen microseconds; with no reflectance, the decay time can be up to a few milliseconds. The exact time of the decay depends on your microcontroller’s I/O line characteristics. Meaningful results can be available within 1 ms in typical cases (i.e. when not trying to measure subtle differences in low-reflectance scenarios), allowing up to 1 kHz sampling.


Included components


How it works in detail

With only four components (or five, if you count the coupled IR LED and phototransistor separately), the operation of this sensor is relatively basic. The emitter side is just an IR LED with an appropriate current-limiting resistor. The light from the emitter leaves the sensor, reflects off a nearby surface, and returns to the detector.

The detector side is a resistor-capacitor (RC) circuit, where the resistance comes from the phototransistor and is a measure of the incident infrared light, and the decay time is proportional to the resistance. The first step of the sensor-reading process—driving the sensor output high—discharges the integrated 10 nF capacitor and puts both sides at the same voltage (VIN). Alternatively, you can think of this as “charging the output node”, and it is functionally equivalent to charging a capacitor with one side connected to ground. Once you are no longer supplying an external voltage to the output pin, the capacitor can slowly charge through the phototransistor, with the rate of charging being a function of the phototransistor’s resistance (which is in turn a function of the incident IR). As the capacitor charges, the voltage on the output side drops, eventually reaching zero when the capacitor is fully charged. Alternatively, you can think of this as “discharging the output node”, and it is functionally equivalent to discharging a capacitor with one side connected to ground.

The 220 Ω resistor on the OUT line serves to limit the current flow, making it possible for a microcontroller output to safely charge the output node prior to each reading. It has very little effect on the sensor output.

QTR-1RC and QTR-L-1RC reflectance sensor schematic diagram.
QTR-1RC output (yellow) when 1/8" above a white/black interface and microcontroller timing of that output (blue).


Size: 0.3″ × 0.5″ × 0.1″1
Weight: 0.2 g2



Without optional included header pins.


For a single sensor without included optional header pins.