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TCS34725FN

RGB+Clear color sensor, 16-bit, I2C, integrated IR filter, FN-6 chip-scale

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Manufacturer Part：

TCS34725FN

Package：

FN-6 (2.0 x 2.4 x 0.6mm, chip-scale with optical window)

Brand：

Product Categories：

Analog Linear ICs, Integrated Circuits ICs

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Description

Product Overview

The TCS34725FN is a color light-to-digital converter from ams-OSRAM with RGB + clear channels, I2C interface, and integrated IR blocking filter in a 6-pin FN (chip-scale) package.

Key Specifications

Channels	4 (Red, Green, Blue, Clear)
Interface	I2C (up to 400kHz fast mode)
Address	0x29 (7-bit)
ADC Resolution	16-bit per channel
Integration Time	2.4ms to 614ms (programmable)
IR Blocking Filter	Integrated (on-chip)
Supply Voltage	2.7V to 3.6V (VDD), 1.8V (VDDIO)
Supply Current	235µA active, 2.5µA sleep
Spectral Range	350nm to 1000nm (RGB filtered)
Operating Temperature	-30°C to +70°C
Package	FN-6 (chip-scale, 2.0 x 2.4 x 0.6mm)

Features

RGB + Clear 16-bit digital output for true color sensing
Integrated IR blocking filter for accurate color measurement
I2C interface with 400kHz fast-mode support
Programmable integration time and gain
Interrupt output with configurable thresholds
2.5µA sleep mode for battery-powered applications
Separate VDD and VDDIO for voltage level flexibility
Ultra-compact chip-scale package (2.0 x 2.4mm)

Applications

Color detection and matching
Display color calibration and management
Ambient light sensing with color temperature
Industrial color sorting and quality control
Health and wellness wearables

Product Introduction:TCS34725FN Product Introduction

The TCS34725FN from ams-OSRAM is a color light-to-digital converter that provides red, green, blue, and clear (RGBC) light sensing with 16-bit resolution per channel. The integrated IR blocking filter on the photodiode array eliminates the need for an external IR cut filter, ensuring accurate color measurement in the visible spectrum. The device communicates via I2C at up to 400kHz with a fixed 7-bit address of 0x29. Programmable integration time (2.4ms to 614ms) and gain settings allow optimization for different light conditions. An interrupt output with configurable upper and lower thresholds enables event-driven operation without continuous I2C polling. The FN-6 chip-scale package (2.0 x 2.4mm) is the smallest available for a full RGB color sensor.

Working Principle:TCS34725FN Working Principle

The TCS34725FN uses a 4×4 array of photodiodes with different optical filters: 4 red-filtered, 4 green-filtered, 4 blue-filtered, and 4 clear (no filter) photodiodes. The IR blocking filter integrated on the die attenuates infrared wavelengths above approximately 700nm that would otherwise cause color measurement errors. During each integration cycle, the photodiode currents are integrated and converted by a 16-bit ADC. The integration time is programmable from 2.4ms (fast response) to 614ms (high sensitivity for low-light conditions). The gain setting (1x, 4x, 16x, or 60x) amplifies the photodiode signal before ADC conversion, extending the dynamic range. The I2C interface provides access to the 16-bit RGBC data registers, configuration registers, and interrupt threshold registers. The interrupt output can be configured to assert when any channel exceeds a programmable upper or lower threshold, with a persistence filter to prevent spurious triggers. The separate VDD (2.7-3.6V) and VDDIO (1.8V) supplies allow direct connection to 1.8V logic MCUs without level shifters.

Pin Description:TCS34725FN Pin Definition and Functions

Pin	Name	Type	Description
1	VDD	Power	Supply voltage input. Operates from 2.7V to 3.6V (nominally 3.0V). Bypass with 0.1µF ceramic capacitor to GND placed as close to the pin as possible. Do not exceed 3.6V to prevent permanent damage. For 5V systems, use a level shifter or LDO regulator.
2	SCL	Input	I2C serial clock input. Supports Standard (100kHz), Fast (400kHz), and High-Speed (3.4MHz) modes. Connect to I2C bus with external pull-up resistor (typically 4.7kΩ to VDD). Schmitt-trigger input provides noise immunity on the clock line.
3	GND	Ground	Ground reference. Connect to system ground plane. The exposed paddle (bottom of package) is also GND and must be soldered to the PCB for both electrical continuity and thermal dissipation.
4	NC	No Connect	Not connected internally. Leave floating or connect to GND for EMI shielding. Do not connect to any active signal.
5	INT	Output	Interrupt output (active-low, open-drain). Asserted when RGBC clear channel values exceed programmable upper or lower threshold thresholds. Requires external pull-up resistor (4.7kΩ typical). Interrupt persists until cleared by reading the interrupt status register. Supports programmable persistence filter.
6	SDA	I/O	I2C serial data input/output. Bidirectional data line for reading sensor values and writing configuration registers. Device I2C address is 0x29 (7-bit). Connect with external pull-up resistor (4.7kΩ typical to VDD). Supports Standard, Fast, and High-Speed I2C modes.

TCS34725FN pin assignment (FN-6 / Dual Flat No-Lead, top view, Pin 1 marked by dot): Pin 1 = VDD, Pin 2 = SCL, Pin 3 = GND, Pin 4 = NC, Pin 5 = INT, Pin 6 = SDA. The package is a tiny 2.0 x 2.4 x 0.65mm DFN with exposed thermal pad (GND) on the bottom. The I2C address is fixed at 0x29 and cannot be changed. Only two external components required: 0.1µF bypass cap and I2C pull-up resistors.

Application Scenarios:In which products and applications isTCS34725FN used

Color Matching: RGB channels with IR filter provide accurate CIE chromaticity coordinates for paint, textile, and print color matching
Display Calibration: Clear channel measures luminance; RGB channels compute correlated color temperature (CCT) for display white balance
Ambient Light: Clear channel reads illuminance for automatic display brightness; RGB derives color temperature for adaptive white point
Industrial Sorting: 16-bit resolution and programmable gain distinguish subtle color differences for quality control
Wearables: 2.5µA sleep and FN-6 package enable color sensing in space-constrained battery-powered wearables

Alternative Models:What chips are recommended as replacements for TCS34725FN

Model	Manufacturer	Key Difference	Package	Specs
TCS34721FN	ams-OSRAM	Same with different I2C address (0x39)	–	–
TCS34727FN	ams-OSRAM	With synchronization input pin	–	–
APDS-9960	Broadcom/Avago	RGB+proximity+gesture, I2C	–	–
S11059-02DT	Hamamatsu	RGB+IR, I2C, miniature	–	–
VEML6040	Vishay	RGB, I2C, 2.0×1.75mm	–	–

TCS34725FN is an RGBC color sensor from ams-OSRAM in DFN-6 (2.0×2.4mm). Note: this device is discontinued. The TCS34727 provides an automotive-qualified alternative. The APDS-9960 from Broadcom offers RGB + gesture detection in similar DFN-6 package. The VEML6040 from Vishay provides RGBW color sensing with I2C in 2×1.25mm OPLGA. The AS73211 from ams-OSRAM offers true XYZ spectral sensing in DFN-8. The BH1745NUC from Rohm provides RGB color sensor with I2C in 2.0×1.25mm DFN-6 as a near drop-in replacement.