SparkFun Spectral Sensor – AS7343 (Qwiic)

The SparkFun AS7343 Spectral Sensor measures light from ~380nm to 1000nm across 14 channels, covering both visible and near-infrared ranges. Ideal for colour analysis and spectral sensing, it’s compact, I2C-ready, low-power, and Qwiic-connected for fast integration into your projects.

The SparkFun AS7343 Qwiic Spectral Sensor enables users to measure light in both the visible spectrum (VIS) and near-infrared (NIR) ranges, all on a single IC in a compact package. The AS7343 exhibits exceptional sensitivity across its sensing spectrum (~380nm to 1000nm) and operates reliably in low-light environments, including when measuring through tinted glass. It works well for measuring reflected, emitted, and transmitted light, making it an excellent solution for spectroscopy applications, such as colour matching, spectral signature analysis, and more.

The AS7343 communicates over I²C, so naturally, we placed it on this 1 in. by 1 in. Qwiic breakout board with a pair of Qwiic connectors.

The AS7343 features 14 channels in a 5×5 photodiode array, enabling the detection of 11 specific colour bands across the visible spectrum. Additionally, dedicated photodiodes on the outer edges of this array are designed for near-infrared (845-865 nm) and flicker detection.

The spectral sensor is very power-efficient and only draws an average of 210µA while actively taking measurements. It also includes two low-power modes, Idle and Sleep, which further reduce power consumption to ~40µA (Idle) and 0.7µA (Sleep). Please be aware that these values are specific to the AS7343 sensor only. The board as a whole draws ~697µA while taking measurements without the white LED on and ~4.26mA with the white LED on. The AS7343 operates at 1.8V, so this breakout includes a dedicated voltage regulator to drop Qwiic voltage (3.3V) down to a safe supply voltage as well as level-shifting circuits for the I²C data and clock lines.

The board includes a white LED to illuminate the sensing area, but also includes the option for users to install their own LED if necessary. This breakout routes the I²C signals (SDA/SCL) and power inputs (3.3V and Ground) to a pair of Qwiic connectors along with a 0.1′-spaced PTH header. The PTH header also includes the AS7343’s Interrupt and programmable GPIO pins.

Features & Specifications

AS7343 Spectral Sensor Features

• 14-Channel Multi-Spectral Sensor
• Wavelength Range: ~380nm – 1000nm
• Measures both Visible Spectrum and Near-Infrared
  • 11 Channels on the Visible Spectrum
  • 1 Channel on Near-Infrared
  • 1 ‘Clear’ Channel for entire Visible Spectrum
• Flicker Detection
• High Sensitivity
  • Operates in low-light or behind dark glass/other external filters
• Integrated LED Driver
• 1 GPIO for measurement/LED synchronising (Defaults as Output)
• 1.8V Supply Voltage
• Ultra-Low Power Consumption (Sensor Only)
  • Active: 210µA (Typ.) – 280µA (Max.)
  • Idle: 40µA (Typ.) – 60µA (Max.)
  • Sleep: 0.7µA (Typ.) – 5µA (Max.)

Spectral Sensor Breakout Features

• 2x Qwiic Connectors
• 0.1′-Spaced PTHs
  • SDA/SCL
  • INT (Active Low)
  • GPIO
  • 3.3V
  • GND
• LEDs
  • Power (Red)
  • White (Sensing)
  • PTHs for User-Populated Sensing LED (Optional)
• 1.8V Voltage Regulator
• Power Consumption (Average)
  • Active: 697µA@3.3V
  • Idle: 264µA@3.3V
  • Sleep: 3µA@3.3V

Resources

• Schematic
• KiCad Files
• Board Dimensions
• Datasheet (AS7343)
• Hookup Guide
• SparkFun AS7343 Arduino Library
• SparkFun AS7343 Python Package
• GitHub Repository

Package Contents

• 1x SparkFun Spectral Sensor – AS7343 (Qwiic)