Module 7

Light Sensors

Ch.Rajendra Prasad
Asst.Professor
Department of Electronics and Communication
Engineering
Outline
Light sensors
Types of Light sensors
LDR
Photodiode
Experiment
Activity
Light Sensors
Light sensors are devices that are used to
convert light energy into electrical energy
These sensors are used to control, major
electronic appliances

Light Resistance/
Light
Sensor Current
Types of Light Sensors
Light dependent resistor
Photo Diode
Photo transistor
Light Dependent Resistor(LDR)
LDR is a device whose resistance
is a function of amount of light
falling on it.
This is also called as
 Photoresistor
 Photoconductor
 Photoconductive cell
 simply Photocells.
Construction
Made up of with semiconductor materials
having high resistance.

Like cadmium sulphide, lead sulphide

(PbS), lead selenide (PbSe), indium
antimonide(InSb).

Cadmium sulphide is used in the

manufacture of photoconductive cells
because its spectral response curve
closely matches that of the human eye
and can even be controlled using a
simple torch as a light source.
Working principle - Photo
conductivity
 Photo conductivity is an optical
phenomenon in which the materials
conductivity is increased when light is
Conduction
absorbed by the material.
Band-

Photon energy
hv ≥ Eg
+
Valence
band
Characteristics
 Specifications of LDR
Parameter Value
Max power dissipation 200mW
Max voltage @ 0 lux 200V
Peak wavelength 600nm
Min. resistance @ 10lux 1.8kΩ
Max. resistance @ 10lux 4.5kΩ
Typ. resistance @ 100lux 0.7kΩ
Dark resistance after 1 sec 0.03MΩ
Dark resistance after 5 sec 0.25MΩ
LDR Real time application
Photodiode
A photodiode is a type of photo detector
capable of converting light energy into
electrical energy. It is sometimes referred as
photo-detector, photo-sensor, or light detector.
Photodiodes are similar to regular
semiconductor diode except that they may be
either exposed (to detect UV or X-rays) or
packaged with a window or optical fiber to allow
light to reach the sensitive part of the device
A photodiode is designed to operate in reverse
bias
Types of Photodiodes
PN junction
PIN Photodiode
Avalanche
Photodiode
Working V-I
Characteristics

I(µA)

Illuminati
on
(lux)
Applications
Photovoltaic –solar Photoconductive
cells -photodiode
Medical applications
Computer Pulse oximeters
tomography
Features
Excellent linearity with respect
to incident light
Low noise
Wide spectral response
Mechanically rugged
Compact and lightweight Long
life
Experiment

Control brightness of LED based

on intensity of light using LDR
Aim: To control brightness of LED
based on intensity of light using LDR.
Equipment’s Required:
1.Personal computer/Laptop/Mobile
2.Arduino software
3.Arduino Mega 2560 board
4.Universal Serial Bus(USB) Cable
5.Bread Board
6.Connecting Wires
7.Light Dependent Resistor(LDR)
8.Light Emitting Diode(LED)
9.Resistors :1KΩ, 220Ω
 Circuit diagram:

Arduino
Mega
220Ω 2560 220Ω
A 9
2
1MΩ
-
100
Ω
Sketch:
int LED=9;
int LDR=A2;
void setup( )
{
Serial.begin(9600);
}
void loop( )
{
int value = analogRead (LDR);
Serial.println(value);
value/=4;
analogWrite (LED, value);
delay(1000);
}
Activity
Monitor light intensity using LDR and
display it on serial monitor, if intensity
is >512lux turn ON LED.
Self study topic
Phototransistor
Assignment
Explain construction and working
phototransistor.
List five real time applications of
phototransistor
Submission date: .
17.2018(Monday) 1:20PM.
 Aim:To monitor light intensity using LDR and
display it on serial monitor, if intensity is >512lux turn
ON LED. int LED = 9;
int LDR = A2;
int LDRReading = 0;
void setup( )
{
pinMode (LED, OUTPUT);
Serial.begin (9600);
}
void loop( )
{
LDRReading = analogRead (LDR);
if (LDRReading > 512);
digitalWrite (LED, HIGH);
else
digitalWrite (LED, LOW);
Serial.println (LDRReading);
delay(1000);
}
Assignment 2