The TCS34725 is a digital color sensor that we can use with a processor like Arduino to measure the RGB values of the color of an object or light.
The TCS34725 is a complete integrated circuit that performs digital processing of color measurement, providing RGB and Clear values (unfiltered total measurement). Communication with the sensor is done via I2C, so its reading from a processor like Arduino is very simple.
It incorporates an infrared filter, which improves its accuracy in the presence of environmental noise. The measurement time and gain are adjustable by software. It has a wide sensitivity and a wide dynamic range of 3,800,000:1, and can even operate behind dark glass.
We can find it in commercial modules that incorporate a neutral light LED (4150°K) along with an integrated MOSFET for its control, so we can control the LED activation from the code.
In addition to I2C communication, the TCS34725 incorporates an interrupt pin along with a lower and upper threshold. When the light level is outside the threshold range, the TCS34725 generates an interrupt that remains active until it is reset by the controller.
Unlike other color sensors like the popular TCS3200, which are only capable of detecting basic colors, the TCS34725 is capable of providing a relatively accurate RGB measurement of the color being measured.
Of course, like any sensor, the TCS34725 is not perfect and has typical deviations of any sensor, so you will not get a completely accurate measurement. In general, color calibration is necessary.
The TCS34725 is a relatively modern sensor and one of the best color sensors available in the home (geek/maker) sector.