The VL53L4CD from ST Microelectronics is a time-of-flight (TOF) ranging sensor integrated into a compact module. This board is a carrier for the VL53L4CD, so we recommend careful reading of the VL53L4CD datasheet (2MB pdf) before using this product.
The VL53L4CD is effectively a tiny, self-contained lidar system featuring an integrated 940 nm Class 1 laser, which is invisible and eye-safe. Unlike conventional IR sensors that use the intensity of reflected light to estimate the distance to an object, the VL53L4CD uses ST’s FlightSense technology to precisely measure how long it takes for emitted pulses of infrared laser light to reach the nearest object and be reflected back to a detector. This approach ensures absolute distance measurements independent of ambient lighting conditions and target characteristics (e.g. color, shape, texture, and reflectivity), though these external conditions do affect the maximum range of the sensor, as do the sensor configuration settings.
Under favorable conditions, such as low ambient light with a high-reflectivity target, the VL53L4CD can report distances from 1 mm to 1.2 m (4 ft) with 1 mm resolution. The sensor’s range timing is configurable, allowing you to choose the right balance between speed, accuracy, maximum distance, and power consumption for your application. See the datasheet for more information on how various external conditions and sensor configurations affect its performance. Ranging measurements are available through the sensor’s I²C (TWI) interface, which is also used to configure sensor settings, and the sensor provides two additional pins: a shutdown input and an interrupt output that can be configured to trigger when a target is detected within a selected distance window.
The VL53L4CD is a great IC, but its small, leadless, LGA package makes it difficult for the typical student or hobbyist to use. It also operates at a recommended voltage of 2.8 V, which can make interfacing difficult for microcontrollers operating at 3.3 V or 5 V. Our breakout board addresses these issues, making it easier to get started using the sensor, while keeping the overall size as small as possible.
The carrier board includes a low-dropout linear voltage regulator that provides the 2.8 V required by the VL53L4CD and allows the sensor to be powered from a 2.6 V to 5.5 V supply. The regulator output is available on the VDD pin and can supply around 100 mA to external devices. The breakout board also includes a circuit that shifts the I²C clock and data lines to the same logic voltage level as the supplied VIN, making it simple to interface the board with 3.3 V or 5 V systems, and the board’s 0.1″ pin spacing makes it easy to use with standard solderless breadboards and 0.1″ perfboards. The board ships fully populated with its SMD components, including the VL53L4CD, as shown in the product picture.
The pins are spaced to work with standard 0.1″ (2.54 mm) male headers and 0.1″ female headers (available separately), making the board easy to use with solderless breadboards and 0.1″ perfboards. The board has two mounting holes that work with #2 and M2 screws (not included).
Features and specifications
- Dimensions: 0.5″ × 0.7″ × 0.085″ (13 mm × 18 mm × 2 mm)
- Weight without header pins: 0.5 g (0.02 oz)
- Operating voltage: 2.6 V to 5.5 V
- Typical active-ranging supply current: 25 mA
- Varies with configuration, target, and environment; peak current can reach 40 mA
- Ultra-Low power (ULP) driver software enables sensor to perform basic proximity detection with reduced current consumption (<100 μA)
- Maximum sampling rate: 100 Hz
- Maximum range: 1.2 m (4 ft)
- Resolution: 1 mm
- Minimum range: 1 mm (objects down to 0 mm are detected, but measurements might not be accurate)
- Emitter: 940 nm invisible Class 1 VCSEL (vertical cavity surface-emitting laser) – eye-safe
- Detector: SPAD (single photon avalanche diode) receiving array
- Typical full field of view (FoV): 18°
- Configurable detection interrupt thresholds for implementing autonomous low-power presence detection:
- target closer than threshold
- target farther than threshold
- target within distance window
- target outside of distance window
- Output format (I²C): 16-bit distance reading (in millimeters)
Dimensions
| Size: | 0.5″ × 0.7″ × 0.085″ |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 0.5 g |
General specifications
| Resolution: | 1 mm |
|---|---|
| Maximum range: | 120 cm1 |
| Minimum range: | 1 mm2 |
| Interface: | I²C |
| Minimum operating voltage: | 2.6 V |
| Maximum operating voltage: | 5.5 V |
| Supply current: | 25 mA3 |