SparkFun Photo Interrupter Breakout Board - GP1A57HRJ00F

The SparkFun Photo Interrupter Breakout Board - GP1A57HRJ00F is a straightforward breakout PCB that fits the GP1A57HR photo interrupter. This photo interrupter is also known as a photogate, photodiode, or phototransistor. The PCB features three connections for power (PWR), ground (GND), and signal (SIG).

The working of this breakout board is quite simple. When the gate is clear, the signal (SIG) will be high, with a value greater than 4.9V. However, when the gate is obstructed by any object, such as a finger, a pen, a food pellet, or any other item, the signal (SIG) will drop to less than 0.4V. This feature allows the board to be used in a variety of applications where object detection or interruption is required.

It is important to note that the board comes bare, meaning the photo interrupter and the 220Ω (or 330Ω, which also works) current limiting resistor are not included and need to be purchased separately. This gives you the flexibility to customize the board as per your specific requirements.

For your convenience, SparkFun provides detailed documents including a schematic, Eagle files, and design files on GitHub. These resources can be very useful in understanding the workings of the board and in integrating it into your projects.

The SparkFun Photo Interrupter Breakout Board - GP1A57HRJ00F is a versatile and easy-to-use solution for your object detection needs. Its simplicity and flexibility make it a great choice for both beginners and experienced users alike.