Activity Bot I/O Pins can drive a Sharp GP2Y0A21YK0F?

oakguy

I was having trouble finding how much current the I/O pins might source/sink. Can they drive the Sharp GP2Y0A21YK0F directly so I can switch them on for power saving? They require 30 ma of current.

ctwardell

oakguy,

You cannot power them directly from the I/O because the sensor needs a 4.5 to 5.5V supply.

The prop I/O pins output at most 3.3V (with the normal 3.3V supply), this drops as the current load increases.

http://www.parallax.com/sites/default/files/downloads/P8X32A-Propeller-Datasheet-v1.4.0_0.pdf

You will need some type of high-side driver to control power to the sensors.

C.W.

oakguy

Thank you!