The Parallax TSL1401 Linescan Imaging Daughterboard provides one-dimensional sight to almost any microcontroller. It is designed for plug-in compatibility with Parallax's BS2pe Motherboard but can be used with other BASIC Stamp modules, the Parallax Propeller, the SX, PICs, and AVRs, to name just a few. It is a platform suitable not only for evaluating TAOS's TSL1401R imaging chip, but also for incorporation into OEM products, as well as hobbyist, robotic, and educational platforms.

The TSL1401-DB includes the TAOS TSL1401R 128-pixel sensor chip, a 7.9mm focal length imaging lens, and control electronics to aid in capturing images for evaluation. It produces a clocked analog data output, whose voltage levels correspond to the light intensity at each pixel. By means of an analog-to-digital converter (or even a simple digital logic threshold), image data are easily transferred to a microcontroller to detect objects, edges, gaps, holes, liquid levels, textures, emissive sources, simple barcodes, and other visible features. Combining it with the BS2pe Motherboard and a suitable output device, one can construct a complete inspection system in a very compact form factor.

Central to the TSL1401-DB's ease of use is the 50-page manual (downloadable below). The AVR coprocessor firmware for the BS2pe Motherboard, for example, provides a completely scriptable imaging front end that captures images in the background and locates features, while the BASIC Stamp is busy with other tasks. Also included is a programming template and examples for both the Motherboard and the BASIC Stamp 2.

As an aid to seeing what the camera sees in real time, both for setting up and alignment and for trying various detection strategies, a PC-hosted monitor program provides both an oscilloscope view of the pixels, as well as a sweeping view of multiple scans laid side-by-side. It also includes user-selectable measurement tools for locating edges, counting pixels, computing extrema and averages, and the like. This program is designed to be used with the BASIC Stamp 2pe Motherboard and automatically uploads the PBASIC code necessary for communication.

Key Features:

- Accessory socket for future add-ons, such as LED strobes
- Direct plug-in for Parallax motherboards (e.g. MoBoStamp-pe) and adapters
- Focusable imaging lens: 7.9mm focal length, f2.4 fixed aperture, manual focus, 12mm x
  0.5mm thread

Application Ideas:

- Simple barcode reading
- Line following for robots
- Light and flame detection and location for robots
- Non-contact measurement of height, width, diameter, position
- Detection of objects, edges, gaps, holes, and liquid levels