Overview
The Yahboom 8-channel grayscale line tracking sensor module is a grayscale line tracking sensor module designed for electronic racing competitions. It supports different colored tracks with optional Red/Green/Blue/White light versions, provides digital value output, and uses a built-in data selector design with no MCU processor.
Key Features
- 8 probes for wider coverage and complex path identification
- Red/Green/Blue/White light options for different colored track
- Output digital value
- No MCU processor (MCU-less design)
- Built-in data selector to read grayscale data from 8 channels via 4 I/O ports
- Probe anti-collision protective cover / anti-stray light protective cover (customized light shield)
- Ambient light interference resistance via operational amplifier filtering circuitry
- Anti-Flash, Anti-White Light, Anti-Warm Light (interference resistance)
- Ribbon cable / DuPont wire connection support
- Compatible with various mounting holes
- Reverse connection protection and status indicator
- Customized spotlight (focused LED emitters; narrow beam angle)
Specifications
| Product name | 8-channel Grayscale Line Tracking Module |
| Brand | Yahboom |
| Channels / probes | 8 |
| Data type | Digital value |
| MCU | No MCU Co-processor |
| Serial/IIC communication | Not Supported |
| GPIO communication | 4 GPIO ports can read 8-channels data |
| Applicable line width | 0.5cm-6cm |
| Detecting height (Red/Green/Blue light versions) | 16mm-24mm |
| Detecting height (White light version) | 10mm-30mm |
| Interface | XH2.54 |
| Power pin | 5V power supply pin |
| Connector signal names | 5V, AD2, AD1, AD0, OUT, GND |
| Built-in data selector | 74HC4051 (similar to a 3-to-8 decoder; output channel selection) |
| Technical features | Anti-light interference technology (op-amp filtering); Anti-flash interference technology (op-amp filtering) |
| Illustrated dimensions/spacing markings | 6.7cm, 0.7cm |
Track Color Recognition (Default White Background)
| Version | Track Color Recognition |
|---|---|
| Grayscale sensor (Red light version) | Green, Cyan-green, Cyan, indigo, blue, black |
| Grayscale sensor (Green light version) | Red, blue, purple, magenta, purplish-red, black |
| Grayscale sensor (Blue light version) | Red, orange, yellow, yellow-green, green, black |
| Grayscale sensor (White light version) | Black |
Quick Selection Table for White Background
| Background | Track Color | Red Backlight | Green Backlight | Blue Backlight | White Backlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | Red | Poor | Excellent | Excellent | Poor |
| White | Orange | Poor | Average | Excellent | Poor |
| White | Yellow | Poor | Poor | Excellent | Poor |
| White | Yellow-green | Average | Poor | Excellent | Poor |
| White | Green | Excellent | Poor | Excellent | Poor |
| White | Cyan-green | Excellent | Poor | Average | Poor |
| White | Cyan | Excellent | Poor | Poor | Poor |
| White | Indigo | Excellent | Average | Poor | Poor |
| White | Blue | Excellent | Excellent | Poor | Poor |
| White | Purple | Average | Excellent | Poor | Poor |
| White | Magenta | Poor | Excellent | Poor | Poor |
| White | Purple-red | Poor | Excellent | Average | Poor |
| White | Black | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| White | White | / | / | / | / |
Black Background Quick Selection Table
| Background | Track Color | Red Backlight | Green Backlight | Blue Backlight | White Backlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | Red | Excellent | Poor | Poor | Poor |
| Black | Orange | Excellent | Average | Poor | Poor |
| Black | Yellow | Excellent | Excellent | Poor | Poor |
| Black | Yellow-green | Average | Excellent | Poor | Poor |
| Black | Green | Poor | Excellent | Poor | Poor |
| Black | Cyan-green | Poor | Excellent | Average | Poor |
| Black | Cyan | Poor | Excellent | Excellent | Poor |
| Black | Indigo | Poor | Average | Excellent | Poor |
| Black | Blue | Poor | Poor | Excellent | Poor |
| Black | Purple | Average | Poor | Excellent | Poor |
| Black | Magenta | Excellent | Poor | Excellent | Poor |
| Black | Purple-red | Excellent | Poor | Average | Poor |
| Black | Black | / | / | / | / |
| Black | White | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Pin Output Truth Table
The sensor built-in data selector allows grayscale data from 8 channels to be read via 4 I/O ports, saving microcontroller I/O resources. The MCU sets the channel address by writing 3-bit binary data through 3 I/O pins (AD0, AD1, AD2), and the module outputs the corresponding channel's grayscale value on the OUT pin.
- Ground pin: GND
- Digital output: OUT
- Address pins: AD0 / AD1 / AD2
- Power: 5V power supply pin
| AD2 | AD1 | AD0 | OUT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | Channel-1 digital output |
| 0 | 0 | 1 | Channel-2 digital output |
| 0 | 1 | 0 | Channel-3 digital output |
| 0 | 1 | 1 | Channel-4 digital output |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | Channel-5 digital output |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | Channel-6 digital output |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | Channel-7 digital output |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | Channel-8 digital output |
How Grayscale Recognition Works
A grayscale sensor includes a phototransistor. A light-emitting diode (LED) emits light towards the ground, which is reflected by the object's surface and received by the phototransistor. The phototransistor is sensitive to light; the stronger the reflected light, the greater the current generated. Because different colored detection surfaces reflect light at different intensities, the current flowing through the phototransistor also varies, thus distinguishing the grayscale differences between different colors.
Applications
- Colored line tracking and black/white line tracking (version-dependent)
- Line following on complex routes: curves, intersections, T-junctions, crossroads
- Outer-line warning: outer probe detects large-angle curves in advance
- Compatible map materials: Electrical tape; Laminated printed racetracks; Double-sided paper maps; Plastic racetracks; Waterproof canvas maps; Resin racetracks; PVC racetracks; Composite board racetracks; Canvas maps
Version Notes (Shopify Options)
- Version: Red light
- Version: Green light
- Version: Blue light
- Version: White light
- Version: All in (RGBW)
Selection guidance examples provided: for a white map with red lines, choose the green or blue light version; for a white map with black lines, choose red/green/blue/white options; for broader multi-color scenarios, red/green/blue versions can be purchased together.
Tutorials & Support
Tutorials and codes are provided for multiple MCU smart car platforms, including MSPM0, STM32, ESP32, Arduino, and Pico. For tutorial access and technical assistance, contact support@rcdrone.top or visit https://rcdrone.top/.
What's Included
Shipping list: not specified in the provided information.
Details
Designed for racing robots, the 8-probe array widens coverage for stable line tracking on complex routes.
A photoresistor-based grayscale principle helps explain how the module distinguishes track contrast during motion.
Pick a light color version that best matches your track material and line color for higher recognition reliability.
Reference tables help select the best light source for different colored lines on a white background.
Multiple backlight options make it easier to adapt to color-coded tracks without changing your control logic.
Real-world test comparisons demonstrate how different backlights affect detection on colored paths.
A side-by-side comparison clarifies when grayscale versions are preferable to infrared-only line sensors.
A 4-channel infrared option is contrasted for simpler black-line applications and fewer sensing points.
An infrared 8-channel alternative is listed for projects that specifically target black line tracking.
Clear pin labeling and a truth table simplify wiring and channel selection through the onboard multiplexer.
The MCU-less architecture uses a data selector and comparator circuitry to reduce controller I/O needs.
Filtering and shielding help maintain consistent readings under sunlight, flash, and warm indoor lighting.
Supports a wide range of line widths and includes off-track detection behavior for more robust navigation.
Improved route handling helps with intersections, curves, and junctions commonly used in competition maps.
Choose the XH2.54 socket or standard pin headers for straightforward integration with common robot chassis.
A bundled cable supports quick connections whether you prefer the XH2.54 plug or Dupont-style headers.
Recommended mounting height helps balance sensitivity and stability when installing under a smart car.
Dimension and parameter details make it easier to plan mounting hole alignment and ground clearance.
Yahboom provides organized tutorials, MCU data-reading examples, car gray line-tracking code, and user guide documentation for setup and testing.
The Yahboom grayscale line tracking sensor is commonly mounted at the front of a small robot car for detecting and following marked paths.
The package includes an 8-channel grayscale line tracking module and a 6-pin 20cm XH2.54-to-DuPont cable, with red, green, blue, or white LED versions.
The Yahboom 8-channel grayscale line tracking sensor board includes a JST socket and pin header for easy integration into robot projects.