How many samples can a photo interrupter take per second?

Projects General Guidance
1

Hi,

I am going to use a photo interrupter to sense linear distance. I would like to be able to plot 300 different distance readings within the time span of a second. If you would like to know more about my project I can explain if you are interested..but my main question is; Is a photo interrupter capable of giving 300 samples per second?

Where can I find this when analyzing the datasheet of a photo interrupter?

I understand you get what you pay for...but I was wondering if one like this one would work; https://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Components/GP1A57HRJ00F.pdf

On the datasheet I found the table below, this may sound silly but is the time needed per sample really just all the max response times added together?

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2

is the time needed per sample really just all the max response times added together?

Almost always substantially less than that total. A better upper estimate would be to add the "typical" times together.

In any case, 300 samples/second is VERY slow on that time scale.

3

Thank you very much

4

How are you getting distance from that? It just lets you detect that something is between the LED and the detector.

5

Agreed, that is not a "linear distance sensor".

See Pololu for the genuine article. They are much slower that an optointerrupter.