VL53L1X Distance Sensor User Manual

VL53L1X Distance Sensor

User Manual

OVERVIEW

VL53L1X Distance Sensor is a Time-of-Flight (ToF) ranging module based on the

VL53L1X from ST, with accurate ranging up to 4m and fast ranging frequency up to 50

Hz, it is controlled through I2C interface, and pretty low power consumption.

The VL53L1X is a ToF sensor which embeds the ST’s third generation FlightSense

patented technology. Compared with the second generation VL53L0X, the VL53L1X

extends the ToF ranging distance up to 4m, and features fast ranging frequency up to

50 Hz.

Unlike conventional ranging sensors, the VL53L1X integrates physical infrared

filters and optics, uses ST’s latest generation ToF technology which allows absolute

distance measurement whatever the target color and reflectance, achieves better

anti-interference capability.

FEATURES

 I2C communication interface, control the module on/off via IO pins

 Onboard voltage translator, compatible with 3.3V/5V operating voltage

 Comes with development resources and manual (examples for Raspberry

Pi/Arduino/STM32)

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SPECIFICATIONS

 Operating voltage: 3.3V/5V

 Dimension: 20mm × 24mm

 Mounting holes size: 2.0mm

 Ranging distance: 40 ~ 4000mm

 Ranging accuracy: ±5%

 Ranging time (min): 20ms (short distance mode), 33ms (medium/long distance

mode)

 Field of view: 27°

 Laser wavelength: 940nm

 Operating temperature: -20 ~ 80°C

PINOUTS

VCC: 3.3V/5V power input

GND: ground

SDA: I2C data pin

SCL: I2C clock pin

SHUT: shutdown control, connects to IO pin

INT: interrupt output, connects to IO pin

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HARDWARE

VL53L1X

The VL53L1X is a state-of-the-art, Time-of-Flight (ToF), laser-ranging sensor,

enhancing the ST FlightSense™ product family. It is the fastest miniature ToF sensor on

the market with accurate ranging up to 4 m and fast ranging frequency up to

50 Hz.

Housed in a miniature and reflowable package, it integrates a SPAD receiving array,

a 940 nm invisible Class1 laser emitter, physical infrared filters, and optics to achieve the

best ranging performance in various ambient lighting conditions with a range of cover

window options.

Unlike conventional IR sensors, the VL53L1X uses ST’s latest generation ToF

technology which allows absolute distance measurement whatever the target color and

reflectance.

It is also possible to program the size of the ROI on the receiving array, allowing the

sensor FoV to be reduced.

Features:

 Fully integrated miniature module

– Size: 4.9x2.5x1.56 mm

– Emitter: 940 nm invisible laser (Class1)

– SPAD (single photon avalanche diode)

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 receiving array with integrated lens

– Low-power microcontroller running advanced digital firmware

 Pin-to-pin compatible with the VL53L0X FlightSense™ ranging sensor

 Fast and accurate long distance ranging

– Up to 400 cm distance measurement

– Up to 50 Hz ranging frequency

 Typical full field-of-view (FoV): 27 °

 Programmable region-of-interest (ROI) size on the receiving array, allowing the

sensor FoV to be reduced

 Programmable ROI position on the receiving array, providing multizone operation

control from the host

 Easy integration

– Single reflowable component

– Can be hidden behind many cover window materials

– Software driver and code examples for turnkey ranging

– Single power supply (2v8)

– I²C interface (up to 1 MHz)

– Shutdown and interrupt pins

Pictures:

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For more details, please read the datasheet.

USING DEMO CODE

WORKING WITH RASPBERRY PI

LIBRARIES INSTALLATION

To use the demo code for Raspberry Pi, you need to install wiringPi library first,

otherwise it cannot work properly. About how to install the library, you can visit the

page: Libraries_Installation_for_RPi#Install_WiringPi_Library

HARDWARE CONNECTION

The connection is based on Raspberry Pi

VL53L1X Distance Sensor Raspberry Pi

VCC 3.3V

GND GND

SDA SDA.1

SCL SCL.1

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COMPILING AND RUNNING

1. Download the demo code on Wiki

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2. Unzip and copy the Raspberry Pi code to your Pi (Recommend put on /home/pi)

3. Enter the path of the demo code and compile it: sudo make clean && sudo make

&& ./Range

4. Run the code: ./Range

WORKING WITH ARDUINO

HARDWARE CONNECTION

This connection is based on Waveshare UNO PLUS

VL53L1X Distance Sensor Arduino

VCC 3.3V

GND GND

SDA SDA

SCL SCL

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RUNNING CODE

Copy the VL53L1X-Arduino-Library folder which is under Arduino demo code

directory to Arduino IDE’s Libraries directory which is under the installation directory

of your IDE. Then Open Arduino IDE, and choose File->Examples->

VL53L1X-Arduino-Library

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Compile and run three examples which are using Short Mode, Medium Mode and Long

Mode separately.

Short mode：For short distance ranging，range：0 ~ 1.3m

Medium mode：For medium distance ranging，range：0m ~ 3m

Long mode：For long distance ranging，range：0m ~ 4m

WORKING WITH STM32

HARDWARE CONNECTION

This connection is based on XNUCLEO-F411RE/NUCLEO-F401RE

VL53L1X Distance Sensor XNUCLEO-F411RE/NUCLEO-F401RE

VCC 3.3V

GND GND

SDA SDA

SCL SCL

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USING VL53L1X_GUI

1. Connect the sensor to NUCLEO-F401RE according to Hardware connection

2. Install ST’s VL53L1X_GUI software and run it. Open the software and write

firmware to NUCLEO board: About->Flash Fw (for this example, only supports

NUCLEO-F401RE)

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3. Choose Low-Power Automous, and choose Distance Mode to Short. Click Start. The

distance curve will be displayed on software.

SIMPLERANGIN EXAMPLES

Connect the VL53L1X sensor to NUCLEO-F401RE board (or the XNUCLEO-F411RE)

Open and run the example: ..

\VL53L1X\SimpleRangingExamples\MDK-ARM\STM32F401RE-Nucleo

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Open Serial debug assistance tool, choose the right COM and set the baudrate to

115200. Then press reset button.

MUL IPLESENSORSRANGING

Connect the VL53L1X sensor to NUCLEO-F401RE board (or the XNUCLEO-F411RE)

Open and run the example: ..\VL53L1X\MulipleSensorsRanging\MDK-ARM\STM32F401RE-Nucleo

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Open Serial debug assistance tool, choose the right COM and set the baudrate to

115200. Then press reset button.

The information printed on serial；

For more information about STM32, please refer to the documents which is under

Documentation directory.

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