Three CdS photo-resistors, connected to this multiplexor, receive light through RGB
colored filters. This one takes a somewhat opposite route: a multiplexor drives three
RGB leds that cast light onto the object. Reflected light is measured by a single
photo-resistor.

Circuit analysis
The heart of this circuit is a CD4017 (IC1), CMOS counter with decoded
output. On each pulse received on its clock input, this IC drives high the next
output (all the other are driven low). 

Output 0, 1 and 2 drives red, green

and blue LEDs through transistors
Q2, Q3, Q4 (emitter follower is used
to avoid the need of a base resistor).
During the first three phases, output
4 is driven low and provide ground
reference for photo-resistor R8: the
RCX can read light level reflected in
each color. In phase 4 photo-resistor
is no longer grounded, value
returned to RCX is maximum (note
the 1 Mohm resistor paralleled with
R8 to prevent maximum value to be
reached in phases 1/2/3). RCX can detect this special condition and
synchronize its readings to CD4017 state.

The oscilloscope hard-copy shows clock pulse on top trace, output 1/2/3 below.

To generate a clock pulse, you have

to switch from active sensor mode
(sensor voltage is higher than Zener
D4 threshold, Q1 is conducting,
clock input is low) to passive sensor
mode (sensor voltage is lower than
D4 threshold, Q1 is blocked, clock
input is high) and back to active
sensor. C1 filters out short power
supply pulses occuring in active
mode evey 3ms while RCX reads
value.

The oscilloscope hard-copy shows

clock pulse on top trace, sensor voltage on bottom trace showing 2 short
reading pulses and wide command pulse generated by sensor mode switching.

When reaching step 5, CD4017 activates D04 and reset itself to step1 through
R4/C3. This RC network delays reset pulse well after clock transition: without
it, the current rush of the LED, coupled through power supply, modifies clock
threshold and CD4017 goes directly to step 2...

Power supply is rectified by D1 and filtered by C2. As in my other sensors, I

keep on with single diode instead of full bridge to minimize components count
(3 diodes instead of 8!) but as you can see I built the breadboard with a full
bridge module I constructed to ease my prototypes.
 

The power-supply module I use for

The breadboard 
breadboards.
APPLICATION:

-CAN BE USED AS A COLOR FOLLOWER

-ETC

-ETC

DIL MERA HAI JUMBO