instructables
How to Make a Proximity Sensor
by Electro maker
A tutorial on How to make an InfraRed (IR) proximity sensor circuit along with detailed explanation on how the
circuit works. The sensitivity or Range of detection can also be controlled by adjusting the potentiometer.
Step 1: Video Tutorial
https://youtu.be/Yhd2sCkCJrM
How to Make a Proximity Sensor: Page 1
Step 2: Components Required
1.LM 358 IC
2.1 InfraRed LED PhotoDiode pair
3.Resistors: 470, 270R, 10K
4.Potentiometer: 10K
5.pcb or breadboard
6.9v battery and clip
7.led
8.buzzer
9.ic base
How to Make a Proximity Sensor: Page 2
Step 3: Explanation of Circuit's Working:
The sensing component in this circuit is IR photo- comparing the sensor and reference voltages. The
diode. More the amount of InfraRed light falling on the positive terminal of photodiode (This is the point
IR photodiode, more is the current flowing through it. where the voltage changes proportion to object
(Energy from IR waves is absorbed by electrons at p- distance) is connected to non-inverting input of
n junction of IR photodiode, which causes current to OpAmp and the reference voltage is connected to
flow) inverting input of OpAmp.
This current when flows through the 10k resistor, The OpAmp functions in a way that whenever the
causes potential difference (voltage) to develop. The voltage at non-inverting input is more than the voltage
magnitude of this voltage is given by Ohm's law, at inverting input, the output turns ON.
V=IR. As the value of resistor is constant, the voltage
across the resistor is directly proportional to the When no object is near the IR proximity sensor, we
magnitude of current flowing, which in turn is directly need LED to be turned off. So we adjust the
proportional to the amount of Infra-Red waves potentiometer so as to make the voltage at inverting
incident on the IR photodiode. input more than non-inverting.
So, when any object is brought nearer to the IR LED, When any object approaches the IR proximity sensor,
Photo-Diode pair, the amount of IR rays from IR LED the voltage at photodiode increases and at some
which reflects and falls on the IR photodiode point the voltage at non-inverting input becomes more
increases and therefore voltage at the resistor than inverting input, which causes OpAmp to turn on
increases (from the deduction in previous para). the LED.
We compare this voltage change (nearer the object, In the same manner, when the object moves farther
more is the voltage at 10K resistor / IR photodiode) from the IR proximity sensor, the voltage at non-
with a fixed reference voltage (Created using a inverting input reduces and at some point becomes
potentiometer). less than inverting input, which causes OpAmp to
turn off the LED.
Here, LM358 IC (A comparator/OpAmp) is used for
How to Make a Proximity Sensor: Page 3
Step 4: Circuit Diagram
How to Make a Proximity Sensor: Page 4
Step 5: Troubleshooting Guide
1.Double-check all connections by referring to the 220 resistor) and see which one glows using a digital
circuit diagram. camera.
2.Check if the LED's are working properly. (Digital 4.At one extreme position of the potentiometer's
cameras can detect InfraRed light, so you can check knob, the LED should be off and at the other extreme
if the InfraRed LED is working by using any digital position, the LED should be on. Now you can start
camera) turning the potentiometer's knob form the extreme
3.The IR photo-diode used in this video is white and position where the LED is on, until the LED just turns
the IR LED is black. But it can also be the other way off. Now the IR proximity sensor should work
in your case. You can determine which one is properly.
LED/Photo-diode by connecting both the diode,
photo-diode pair seperately to the power supply (via a
How to Make a Proximity Sensor: Page 5
