This sensor is a carrier/breakout board for ST’s VL53L8CX laser-ranging sensor, which offers fast and accurate ranging up to 4 m through a digital I²C or SPI interface. It can measure absolute distances to multiple targets simultaneously across multiple zones, providing enough data for a depth map with up to 8×8 resolution, and has improved performance in ambient light compared to previous sensors. The board includes voltage regulators and level shifters that allow it to work over an input voltage range of 3.2 V to 5.5 V, and the 0.1″ pin spacing makes it easy to use with standard solderless breadboards and 0.1″ perfboards. Note: This is not recommended for use with 8-bit MCUs; for such applications, consider the VL53L1X, VL53L0X carrier, or VL6180X carrier.

Note: This product is not recommended for use with 8-bit microcontrollers. Initializing the VL53L8CX and processing its readings require a significant amount of RAM and code space, making this sensor impractical for use with a typical 8-bit microcontroller. (ST’s API for the VL53L8CX typically uses over 90 KB of program memory.) For alternatives that are simpler to use and can work with 8-bit microcontrollers (but do not have the multi-zone or multi-target capabilities of the VL53L8CX), please consider the VL53L1X, VL53L0X carrier, or VL6180X carrier.

Overview:

The VL53L8CX from ST Microelectronics is a long-distance, ranging time-of-flight (TOF) sensor integrated into a compact module. This board is a carrier for the VL53L8CX, so we recommend careful reading of the VL53L8CX datasheet (4MB pdf) before using this product.

The VL53L8CX 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 VL53L8CX uses ST’s FlightSense technology to precisely measure how long it takes for emitted pulses of infrared laser light to reach the objects 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.

The VL53L8CX is distinguished from ST’s more basic time-of-flight sensors by its multi-zone ranging output: its field of view is divided into a number of zones, configurable as a 4×4 or 8×8 grid, and the sensor provides separate readings for each zone (which can include multiple targets per zone). This effectively makes the VL53L8CX a basic 3D lidar, since instead of measuring only a single distance (1D lidar), it can provide enough data to generate a low-resolution depth map of the environment within its field of view. The following image shows an example of such a map made with the VL53L5CX, which is similar to the VL53L8CX:

A plot of a coffee cup as detected by a VL53L5CX time-of-flight 8×8-zone distance sensor.

Under favorable conditions, the VL53L8CX can report distances up to 4 m (13 ft) with 1 mm resolution. This sensor has the same maximum range as the older VL53L5CX, as the 4 m specification assumes an ideal dark environment, but the VL53L8CX performs better in situations with higher ambient light. For example, in 5000 lux of ambient light (medium to bright indirect sunlight), the VL53L8CX can be expected to see a large reflective target up to 2.8 m (9.2 ft) away, compared to about 1.7 m (5.6 ft) for the VL53L5CX. The minimum ranging distance is 20 mm.

The sensor can be configured and its ranging measurements can be accessed through a digital interface, which can be configured to operate in either I²C (TWI) mode at up to 1 MHz or SPI mode at up to 3 MHz. (Note: In our experience, the SPI frequency must be higher than about 1.1 MHz or problems with initializing the sensor can result.) The sensor also provides additional pins that include an interrupt output and an external synchronization input.

The VL53L8CX is a great IC, but its small, leadless, LGA package makes it difficult for the typical student or hobbyist to use. It also requires multiple voltage supplies and uses a 1.8 V maximum logic voltage, which can make interfacing difficult for microcontrollers operating at 5 V or 3.3 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 two voltage regulators that provide the 1.8 V and 3.3 V required by the VL53L8CX and allows the sensor to be powered from a single 3.2 V to 5.5 V supply. The regulator outputs are available on the CORE/IOVDD (1.8 V) and AVDD (3.3 V) pins and can supply around 50 mA and 200 mA, respectively, to external devices. The breakout board also includes a level shifter that shifts all of the VL53L8CX’s I/O lines to the same logic voltage level as the supplied VIN, making it simple to interface the board with 5 V and 3.3 V systems. The board ships fully populated with its SMD components, including the VL53L8CX, 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).

VL53L8CX Time-of-Flight 8×8-Zone Distance Sensor Carrier on a breadboard.

Alternative versions

The VL53L8CX is essentially an upgraded version of the VL53L5CX, with the same multi-zone capability and FoV, but the VL53L8CX has better performance in ambient light and support for SPI communication at up to 3 MHz (which can significantly speed up initialization and data acquisition). The VL53L7CX is also similar but has a wider FoV and a slightly shorter range.

Our VL53L8CX carrier board is larger than our VL53L5CX and VL53L7CX boards, but the power and I²C pins are arranged the same way, so this VL53L8CX board can be used as a pin-compatible replacement in many applications. Additionally, the VL53L8CX API is very similar to the VL53L5CX/VL53L7CX API, so it is generally possible to upgrade to the VL53L8CX with minimal software changes. For other related sensors, see the comparison section at the bottom of this page.

VL53L8CX Time-of-Flight 8×8-Zone Distance Sensor Carrier. VL53L5CX Time-of-Flight Distance Sensor Carrier.

Features and specifications:

• Dimensions: 0.5″ × 0.9″ × 0.1″ (13 mm × 23 mm × 3 mm)
• Weight without header pins: 0.7 g (0.03 oz)
• Operating voltage: 3.2 V to 5.5 V
• Supply current: ~100 mA (typical average during active ranging with default settings)
• Peak current can reach 150 mA
• Maximum range: 4 m (13 ft)
• Resolution: 1 mm depth, 4×4 or 8×8 sensor zones
• Minimum range: 20 mm (0.8 in)
• 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): 65° diagonal (45° horizontal/vertical)
• Output format (I²C/SPI): histogram

Using the VL53L8CX

Important note: This product might ship with a protective liner covering the sensor IC. The liner must be removed for proper sensing performance.

Connections:

Regardless of the interface being used to communicate with the VL53L8CX, its VIN pin should be connected to a 3.2 V to 5.5 V source, and GND should be connected to 0 volts.

A minimum of two logic connections is necessary to use the VL53L8CX in I²C mode: SCL and SDA. These pins are connected to an on-board level shifter that makes them safe to use at voltages above the VL53L8CX’s 1.8 V logic voltage; they should be connected to an I²C bus operating at the same logic level as VIN. Additionally, the SPI/I2C pin must be driven low to select I²C communication; a convenient way to do this is by connecting it to the adjacent GND pin (e.g. with a pair of header pins and a shorting block).

To use the VL53L8CX in SPI mode, four logic connections are typically used: MCLK, MOSI, MISO, and CS. These level-shifted pins should be connected to an SPI bus operating at the same logic level as VIN.

The INT, LP, and SYNC pins are additional I/O pins that enable more advanced functionality. The board’s level shifter pulls up all of the I/O pins on the VL53L8CX by default.

Pinout

                  PIN                                 Description

• CORE/IOVDD  Regulated 1.8 V output. Up to around 50 mA is available to power external components.
• AVDD          Regulated 3.3 V output. Up to around 200 mA is available to power external components. (Note that a VIN voltage lower than about 3.4 V will cause the AVDD to drop below the nominal 3.3 V; however, the VL53L8CX accepts an AVDD voltage as low as 3.13 V.)
• VIN                 This is the main 3.2 V to 5.5 V power supply connection. The level shifter shifts all I/O lines to this level (and pulls them high by default).
• GND The ground (0 V) connection for your power supply. Your I²C or SPI control source must also share a common ground with this board.
• SDA/MOSI Level-shifted I²C data line and SPI data in line.
• SCL/MCLK Level-shifted I²C/SPI clock line.
• MISO Level-shifted SPI data out line.
• CS Level-shifted SPI enable (chip select); active low. Pulled high by default; a falling edge is required to start SPI communication.

                                    (This pin is called NCS in the datasheet.)

• INT Level-shifted programmable interrupt output.
• SPI/I2C Level-shifted SPI/I²C mode select pin. Pulled high by default, selecting SPI mode; drive low to select I²C mode (can also be toggled to reset I²C interface).

                          (This pin is called SPI_I2C_N in the datasheet.)

• LP Level-shifted I²C disable input (active low). Pulled high by default; driving this pin low disables I²C communication (typically used as part of a process to change I²C addresses).

                          (This pin is called LPn in the datasheet.)

• SYNC Level-shifted external synchronization pin. The VL53L8CX can be configured to have a rising edge on this pin trigger a single ranging acquisition.

Note: The level shifter on the VL53L8CX carrier board is more sensitive to external loads than the circuit we use for level shifting on most of our other I²C boards. Therefore, you should take extra care to keep connected communication wires short (ideally under 3 inches or 8 cm) and limit other devices on the same I²C or SPI bus.

In certain situations, adding a small amount of capacitance (a few tens of picofarads) to the interface lines can help prevent undesired signal oscillations caused by the level shifter; however, too much capacitance can slow down communication speeds or cause other issues.

Schematic diagram:

The above schematic shows the additional components the carrier board incorporates to make the VL53L8CX easier to use, including the voltage regulators that allows the board to be powered from a 3.2 V to 5.5 V supply and the level shifter circuit that allows for I²C and SPI communication at the same logic voltage level as VIN. This schematic is also available as a downloadable PDF (107k pdf).

I²C communication

With the SPI/I2C pin low, the VL53L8CX can be configured and its distance readings can be queried through the I²C bus. Level shifters on the I²C clock (SCL) and data (SDA) lines enable I²C communication with microcontrollers operating at the same voltage as VIN (3.2 V to 5.5 V). A detailed explanation of the I²C interface on the VL53L8CX can be found in its datasheet (4MB pdf), and more detailed information about I²C in general can be found in NXP’s I²C-bus specification (1MB pdf).

The sensor’s 7-bit target address defaults to 0101001b on power-up. It can be changed to another value by writing one of the device configuration registers, but the new address only applies until the sensor is reset or powered off. ST’s UM3109 (1MB pdf) document describes how to use multiple VL53L8CX sensors on the same I²C bus by individually enabling I²C communication on each sensor with its LP pin and assigning it a unique address.

The I²C interface on the VL53L8CX is compliant with the I²C fast mode plus (1 MHz) standard.

SPI communication

With the SPI/I2C pin in its default state (pulled high), the VL53L8CX can be used in SPI mode. The CS pin (which is pulled high by default) must be driven low before the start of an SPI command and allowed to return high after the end of the command. Level shifters on the SPI clock (MCLK), data in (MOSI), and data out (MOSI) lines enable SPI communication with microcontrollers operating at the same voltage as VIN (3.2 V to 5.5 V). A detailed explanation of the SPI interface on the LPS22DF can be found in its datasheet (4MB pdf).

Sensor configuration and control

In contrast with the information available for many other devices, ST has not publicly released a register map and descriptions or other documentation about configuring and controlling the VL53L8CX. Instead, communication with the sensor is intended to be done through ST’s VL53L8CX ULD API (STSW-IMG040), a set of C functions that take care of the low-level interfacing. To use the VL53L8CX, you can customize the API to run on a host platform of your choice using the information in the API documentation. Alternatively, it is possible to use the API source code as a guide for your own implementation.

Pololu’s family of carriers for ST time-of-flight distance sensors

We make pin-compatible carriers/breakout boards for several different ST time-of-flight (ToF) ranging sensors, as shown in the table below. They all function as tiny lidar systems featuring an integrated 940 nm Class 1 (i.e. invisible and eye-safe) laser, and they are all based on the same FlightSense technology, which precisely measures how long it takes for emitted pulses of infrared laser light to reach the objects 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. These sensors are all capable of 1 mm resolution, with some limitations on some versions.

Most of these carriers have the same physical dimensions (0.5″ × 0.7″) and work in 3.3 – 5 V systems (thanks to their integrated linear regulators and level-shifters), and they can all be controlled through an I²C interface. However, they have different APIs and memory requirements, so software will generally need to be rewritten when switching between sensors in an application, and versions with higher memory requirements are generally not suitable for use with typical 8-bit microcontrollers.

Package Includes:

• 1 x Pololu 3419 VL53L8CX Time-of-Flight 8×8-Zone Distance Sensor Carrier with Voltage Regulators, 400cm Max