> **Source:** Core Electronics is an Australian maker-electronics retailer and manufacturer based in Newcastle, NSW, run by a team of makers and educators. We design and manufacture our own product lines (PiicoDev, CE originals) and are official retailers for iconic maker and industrial brands including Raspberry Pi, Arduino, Adafruit, SparkFun and DFRobot. Orders ship Australia-wide from our Newcastle warehouse. Prices are in AUD and include GST. Pricing, stock and dispatch on this page are generated from the store's live catalog. Full machine-readable index: https://core-electronics.com.au/llms.txt

# Vishay TSSP58038 IR Detector Module, 38kHz, Fixed Gain (3-Pack)

**Type:** Product page · **SKU:** POLOLU-2462 · **Brand:** [Pololu](https://core-electronics.com.au/brands/pololu-australia)
**Page:** https://core-electronics.com.au/vishay-tssp58038-ir-detector-module-38khz-fixed-gain-3-pack.html ([markdown](https://core-electronics.com.au/vishay-tssp58038-ir-detector-module-38khz-fixed-gain-3-pack.html.md))

## Retired product

This product is retired and no longer available for purchase. Search the catalogue for an alternative.

## How to buy

- **Search the catalogue:** `https://core-electronics.com.au/search/{query}.md` (URL-encode the query; pages 2-3 at `search/{query}/{page}.md`; `search.md?q=` also works)
- **Payment methods, purchase orders, policies and contact details:** https://core-electronics.com.au/llms.txt
## Description

Unlike typical IR receiver modules that automatically vary their gain for optimal communication, the Vishay TSSP58038 modulated IR receiver has fixed gain to enable predictable sensing in both reflected IR and breakbeam arrangements: the output will go low as soon as it is exposed to the faintest 38 kHz it can detect. The TSSP58038 is basically a through-hole version of the sensor used on Pololu's [high-brightness 38 kHz IR proximity sensor modules](https://core-electronics.com.au/pololu-38-khz-ir-proximity-sensor-fixed-gain-high-brightness.html). Because those proximity sensor modules allow user control of IR transmission, a pair of those modules combined with a few standalone TSSP58038 sensors can allow sophisticated object detection systems in which one emitter is enabled at a time and the reflections monitored by all other sensors.

These sensors are sold in packs of **three** units. Pololu also carry the similar [TSSP58P38](https://core-electronics.com.au/vishay-tssp58p38-ir-detector-module-38khz-automatic-gain-3-pack.html), which includes automatic gain control.

**Modulated IR detector comparison**

 | Part | [TSOP34156](https://core-electronics.com.au/vishay-tsop34156-ir-detector-module-56khz.html) | [TSOP38438](https://core-electronics.com.au/vishay-tsop38438-ir-receiver-module-38khz.html) | [TSSP58P38](https://core-electronics.com.au/vishay-tssp58p38-ir-detector-module-38khz-automatic-gain-3-pack.html) | TSSP58038 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intended function | IR remote control | brightness/proximity sensing | predictable modulated IR presence sensing |
| Modulation frequency | 56 kHz | 38 kHz | 38 kHz | 38 kHz |
| Gain (sensitivity) | automatic but inaccessible | automatic, predictable | fixed high gain |
| Output | binary (data) | analog (pulse width) | binary (on/off) |
| Update rate | a few **kHz** | a few **Hz** | a few **kHz** |

**Specifications**

- **Operating Voltage:** 2.5 V to 5.5 V
- **Carrier Frequency:** 38 kHz
- **Package:** Through-hole with 0.1" lead spacing
 
For more information, see the TSSP58038 datasheet (116k pdf).

**Note:** While these detectors are not optimized for use with modulated IR remote controls, Pololu have found that they work decently with the [Mini IR Remote Control](https://core-electronics.com.au/catalog/product/view/sku/POLOLU-2777) and can be used to make robots or other electronics projects that can be controlled from across the room by remote.

**People often buy this product together with:**

 | [![Vishay TSSP58P38 IR Detector Module, 38kHz, Automatic Gain (3-Pack)](https://a.pololu-files.com/picture/0J4923.100.jpg?9967026f610c8d0d55fd743ff76b7e47)](https://core-electronics.com.au/vishay-tssp58p38-ir-detector-module-38khz-automatic-gain-3-pack.html) | [Vishay TSSP58P38 IR Detector Module, 38kHz, Automatic Gain (3-Pack)](https://core-electronics.com.au/vishay-tssp58p38-ir-detector-module-38khz-automatic-gain-3-pack.html) |
|---|---|

 | [![Mini IR Remote Control](https://a.pololu-files.com/picture/0J8553.100.jpg?ad05a36c3f189c94b67961b7e30c49e6)](https://core-electronics.com.au/catalog/product/view/sku/POLOLU-2777) | [Mini IR Remote Control](https://core-electronics.com.au/catalog/product/view/sku/POLOLU-2777) |
|---|---|

**File downloads**

- **Vishay TSSP58038 IR detector datasheet (116k pdf)**

## Images

- [Product image 1](https://core-electronics.com.au/media/catalog/product/v/i/vishay_tssp58038_ir_detector_module_38khz_fixed_gain__3_pack___pololu_2462__00.jpg)