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VL53L1 Time-of-Flight Sensor

VL53L1 Time-of-Flight sensor based on ST’s FlightSense™ technology from STMicroelectronics. It is a new generation, long-distance ranging detection IC. The VL53L1 LiDAR sensor is the fastest miniature ToF (Time-of-Flight) sensor on the market with accurate ranging up to 4m and fast ranging frequency up to 50Hz.

 

VL53L1 LiDAR Sensor Pinout Configuration

Pin Number

Pin Name

Signal Type

Description

1

AVDDVCSEL

Supply

VCSEL supply, to be connected to the main supply

2

AVSSVCSEL

Ground

VCSEL ground, to be connected to the main ground

3

GND

Ground

To be connected to the main ground

4

GND2

Ground

To be connected to the main ground

5

XSHUT

Digital Input

Xshutdown pin, active low

6

GND3

Ground

To be connected to the main ground

7

GPIO1

Digital Input

Interrupt output, Open-drain output

8

DNC

Digital Input

Do not connect, must be left floating

9

SDA

Digital Input/Output

I2C Serial Data Line

10

SCL

Digital Input

I2C Serial Clock Line

11

AVDD

Supply

Supply, to be connected to the main supply

12

GND4

Ground

To be connected to the main ground

 

The pinout is shown in the below image -

 VL53L1 Pin Description

 

Features and Specification of VL53L1 Time-of-Flight Sensor

  • Fully integrated miniature module
  1. Size: 4.9x2.5x1.56 mm
  2. Emitter: 940 nm invisible laser (Class1)
  3. SPAD (single-photon avalanche diode)
  4. receiving array with integrated lens
  5. Low-power microcontroller running advanced
  6. digital firmware
  • Pin-to-pin compatible with the VL53L0X FlightSense™ ranging sensor
  • Fast and accurate long-distance ranging
  1. Up to 400cm of distance measurement
  2. Up to 50Hz 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 multi-zone operation control from the host
  • Easy integration
  1. Single reflowable component
  2. Can be hidden behind many cover window materials
  3. Software driver and code examples for turnkey ranging
  4. Single power supply (2v8)
  5. I²C interface (up to 400 kHz)
  6. Shutdown and interrupt pins

 

Note: Complete technical details can be found in the VL53L1 Datasheet linked at the bottom of this page.

 

VL53L1 Time-of-Flight Sensor - Overview

The STMicroelectronics VL53L1 Time-of-Flight is a state-of-the-art, Time-of-Flight (ToF), laser-ranging sensor. Housed in a miniature and reflowable package, it integrates a SPAD (Single-photon avalanche diode) 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 VL53L1 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 (Field of view) to be reduced.

 

The VL53L1 has three distance modes (DM): short, medium, and long.

 

Long-distance mode allows the longest possible ranging distance of 4m to be reached. However, this maximum ranging distance is impacted by ambient light.

 

Short distance mode is more immune to ambient light, but its maximum ranging distance is typically limited to 1.3m.

VL53L1 Overview

 

Interfacing Diagram

VL53L1 Interfacing Diagram

 

Applications of VL53L1 Time-of-Flight Sensor

  • User detection (Autonomous low-power mode) to power on/off and lock/unlock devices like personal computers/laptops and the IoT
  • Service robots and vacuum cleaners (long-distance and fast obstacle detection)
  • Drones (landing assistance, hovering, ceiling detection)
  • Smart shelves and vending machines (goods inventory monitoring)
  • Sanitary (robust user detection whatever the target reflectance)
  • Smart building and smart lighting (people detection, gesture control)
  • 1 D gesture recognition
  • Laser-assisted autofocus which enhances the camera autofocus system speed and robustness, especially in difficult scenes (low light and low contrast) and video focus tracking assistance

 

2D and 3D Model

For the 3D model kindly go through the below link.

3D Model of VL53L1

Component Datasheet

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