ESP32 TCRT5000 Tracking Module

A comprehensive IoT solution for line detection and proximity sensing using ESP32 and TCRT5000 infrared reflective sensor, featuring a modern web interface for real-time monitoring and data logging.

🎯 Features

Core Functionality

• Real-time Line Detection: Detects black lines or nearby objects using infrared reflection
• Dual Output Reading:
  • Digital output (HIGH/LOW detection)
  • Analog output (0-4095 intensity value)
• Visual LED Indicator: Built-in LED responds to detection events
• Detection Counter: Tracks total number of detection events

Web Interface

• Modern Responsive UI: Clean, mobile-friendly design
• Real-time Monitoring: Live sensor data updates every 500ms via AJAX
• Data Visualization:
  • Current sensor status (Active/Standby)
  • Detection type indicator
  • Analog and digital values
  • Time since last detection
• Data Logging:
  • Save individual readings with timestamps
  • Auto-save mode for continuous logging
  • Download all readings as text file
  • Clear saved data
• Remote Access: Access from any device on the network

WiFi Capabilities

• Dual WiFi Modes:
  • Station Mode: Connect to existing WiFi network
  • Access Point Mode: Creates own WiFi hotspot (fallback)
• WiFi Configuration:
  • Web-based WiFi setup interface
  • Credentials stored in EEPROM (persistent)
  • Automatic reconnection on boot
  • Easy network switching
• Status Monitoring: Real-time WiFi connection status and IP display

Future-Ready

• Grid scanner system prepared (currently disabled)
• Ready for integration with distance sensors (VL53L0X, VL53L1X, HC-SR04)
• 2D heatmap visualization infrastructure in place

🔧 Hardware Requirements

Components

• ESP32 Development Board (ESP32-WROOM recommended)
• TCRT5000 Tracking Sensor Module
  • Digital output (D0)
  • Analog output (A0)
  • Adjustable sensitivity potentiometer
• USB Cable for programming and power
• Jumper Wires

Pin Configuration

TCRT5000	ESP32 Pin	Description
VCC	3.3V or 5V	Power supply
GND	GND	Ground
D0	GPIO 14	Digital output
A0	GPIO 34	Analog output

Note: GPIO 34 is input-only and ADC-capable (perfect for analog readings)

Wiring Diagram

ESP32                TCRT5000
┌──────────┐        ┌──────────┐
│          │        │          │
│      3.3V├────────┤VCC       │
│          │        │          │
│       GND├────────┤GND       │
│          │        │          │
│   GPIO 14├────────┤D0        │
│          │        │          │
│   GPIO 34├────────┤A0        │
│          │        │          │
│    GPIO 2├─LED    │          │
└──────────┘        └──────────┘

📦 Software Requirements

• PlatformIO IDE (VS Code extension recommended)
• Platform: Espressif 32
• Framework: Arduino
• Board: ESP32 Dev Module

🚀 Installation & Setup

1. Clone the Repository

git clone https://github.com/SimedruF/ESP32_TCRT5000_Tracking_Module.git
cd ESP32_TCRT5000_Tracking_Module

2. Open in PlatformIO

• Open VS Code
• Install PlatformIO extension if not already installed
• File → Open Folder → Select project directory

3. Configure (Optional)

Edit src/main.cpp if you need to change:

• Pin assignments
• WiFi AP credentials (default: ESP32_IR_Receiver / 12345678)
• Sensor threshold values
• Update intervals

4. Build & Upload

# Build the project
platformio run

# Upload to ESP32
platformio run --target upload

# Monitor serial output
platformio device monitor

Or use PlatformIO buttons in VS Code toolbar.

📱 Usage

First Time Setup

1. Power on ESP32: After upload, the device will start in Access Point mode
2. Connect to WiFi:
   • SSID: ESP32_IR_Receiver
   • Password: 12345678
3. Open Web Interface:
   • Navigate to: http://192.168.4.1
4. (Optional) Configure Local WiFi:
   • Go to "📡 WiFi Configuration" tab
   • Enter your WiFi credentials
   • Click "Save and Connect"
   • Device will restart and connect to your network

Normal Operation

After WiFi configuration, the device will:

1. Automatically connect to your WiFi on boot
2. Display its IP address in Serial Monitor
3. Be accessible at the assigned IP address (e.g., http://192.168.1.100)

Web Interface Tabs

📊 Sensor Monitoring

• Status: Shows current sensor state (🟢 Active / ⚪ Standby)
• Detection Type: LINE DETECTED / No detection
• Analog Value: Raw sensor reading (0-4095)
• Digital Value: Binary state (0=detected, 1=clear)
• Detections Counter: Total detection events
• Last Detection: Time elapsed since last event
• Controls:
  • 💾 Save reading
  • 📥 Download all readings
  • 🗑️ Delete all data
  • 🔄 Auto-save toggle

📡 WiFi Configuration

• View current WiFi status and IP address
• Configure or change WiFi network
• Clear saved WiFi credentials
• Reset to Access Point mode

🔍 Sensor Calibration

The TCRT5000 module has an onboard potentiometer for sensitivity adjustment:

1. Place sensor over the target surface
2. Adjust potentiometer until the onboard LED indicator responds correctly
3. Fine-tune for optimal detection range (typically 2-10mm)
4. Test with different surfaces:
   • Black line → Digital output goes LOW
   • White surface → Digital output stays HIGH

Detection Behavior

Surface	Distance	Digital Output	Analog Value	Status
Black line	Close	LOW (0)	High (>2000)	🟢 Active
White surface	Close	HIGH (1)	Low (<1000)	⚪ Standby
No object	Far	HIGH (1)	Very Low (<500)	⚪ Standby

📊 Data Format

Saved Readings File

Downloaded readings are saved in text format:

========================================
ESP32 TCRT5000 SENSOR - SAVED READINGS
========================================
Total readings: 10
Export date: 1234 seconds since boot
========================================

--- Reading #1 ---
Timestamp: 45s
Status: 🟢 Active
Detection Type: LINE DETECTED
Analog Value: 3245
Digital Value: 0

--- Reading #2 ---
...

🛠️ Project Structure

ESP32_TCRT5000_Tracking_Module/
├── src/
│   └── main.cpp              # Main application code
├── include/
│   └── README                # Include folder info
├── lib/
│   └── README                # Library folder info
├── test/
│   └── README                # Test folder info
├── platformio.ini            # PlatformIO configuration
└── README.md                 # This file

🔬 Technical Details

Memory Usage

• Saved Readings: Maximum 50 readings stored in RAM
• WiFi Credentials: Stored in ESP32 EEPROM (Preferences library)
• Web Page: Stored in program memory (PROGMEM)

Networking

• Web Server: Runs on port 80
• Updates: AJAX polling every 500ms
• AP Mode IP: 192.168.4.1
• Station Mode IP: Assigned by DHCP

Performance

• Detection Response: ~50ms
• Web Update Rate: 500ms
• WiFi Reconnection: Automatic with 20 retry attempts
• Maximum Saved Readings: 50 entries

🔮 Future Enhancements

The following features are prepared but currently disabled:

Grid Scanner (Requires Distance Sensor)

• 2D Heatmap Visualization: Canvas-based grid display
• 256-cell Grid: 16×16 automatic scanning
• Color-coded Intensity: Visual representation of readings
• Export Capability: Download scan data

To Enable: Uncomment the grid scanner sections in main.cpp and add a distance sensor module (VL53L0X, VL53L1X, or HC-SR04).

🐛 Troubleshooting

Device Not Connecting to WiFi

• Check SSID and password are correct
• Ensure WiFi is 2.4GHz (ESP32 doesn't support 5GHz)
• Clear WiFi credentials and reconfigure
• Check serial monitor for error messages

Sensor Not Detecting

• Verify wiring connections
• Adjust sensitivity potentiometer
• Check sensor distance (optimal: 2-10mm)
• Test with high-contrast surfaces (black/white)

Cannot Access Web Interface

• Verify device IP address from serial monitor
• Ensure device and client are on same network
• Try Access Point mode if station mode fails
• Check firewall settings

LED Not Blinking

• Verify GPIO 2 connection (built-in LED)
• Check sensor is actually detecting
• View serial monitor for detection events

📝 Serial Monitor Output

Expected output during operation:

TCRT5000 + ESP32: Sensor ready.
Digital Pin: 14
Analog Pin: 34

=== WIFI CONFIGURATION ===
WiFi credentials loaded from EEPROM
SSID: MyHomeWiFi

✅ Connected to WiFi!
IP Address: 192.168.1.100

✅ Web server started!
Functions: TCRT5000 sensor monitoring, save readings, WiFi configuration
========================

=== DETECTION EVENT ===
Status: LINE/OBJECT DETECTED
Digital: LOW (detected)
Analog: 3245

=== CLEAR ===
Status: No detection
Digital: HIGH (clear)
Analog: 542

🤝 Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Feel free to:

• Report bugs
• Suggest new features
• Submit pull requests
• Improve documentation

📄 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

👤 Author

SimedruF

• GitHub: @SimedruF

🙏 Acknowledgments

• ESP32 Arduino Core Community
• PlatformIO Development Team
• TCRT5000 sensor documentation and community

📚 Additional Resources

• ESP32 Official Documentation
• TCRT5000 Sensor Guide
• PlatformIO Documentation
• Arduino ESP32 Reference

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