TOF400C 4m Laser Distance Sensor

TOF400C 4m Laser Distance Sensor VL53L1X I2C Optical Filter Cover 940nm 27 Degree Field of View

Rangefinder Obstacle Detection Proximity Infrared Time of Flight Robot Drone Altitude Parking Level Tank Fill Door Counter Hand Gesture Camera Focus

     The TOF400C is a small module carrying the ST VL53L1X laser distance sensor. The 940nm infrared laser source inside the sensor emits light, measures the time it takes for the light to return from the target and outputs the distance in millimetres over I2C. The measuring range is 4cm - 400cm; 0 - 4cm is a dead zone. The field of view is 27 degrees; in short distance mode it can take up to 50 measurements per second.

     The module is powered with 3V - 5V and draws up to 40mA. In front of the sensor there is an optical filter cover: it protects the sensor from dust and improves measurement stability by filtering unwanted light such as daylight. The board has 6 connection points, VIN, GND, SDA, SCL, INT and SHUT, and M2 mounting holes on both sides; a 6 pin male header is included.

     It measures with light instead of sound and takes up much less space than ultrasonic sensors. It is used in applications such as obstacle detection on robots, drone landing and altitude measurement, tank and bin fill level measurement and door and passage counters. The module can also detect hand movement (approach, move away) along one axis.

Key features:

     Measures up to 4m: In long distance mode it measures up to 400cm on a white target in the dark. Short distance mode (up to 1.3m) is the mode least affected by ambient light.

     Adjustable field of view: The field of view is 27 degrees; the measurement area (ROI) can be reduced by software to narrow the area the sensor looks at.

     Filtered protective cover: The optical filter cover in front of the sensor keeps dust out and filters unwanted light.

     I2C and interrupt output: The measurement is read over I2C (default address 0x29). The INT pin signals when a new measurement is ready; the SHUT pin switches the sensor off and is used to assign addresses when several sensors share one bus.

     3V - 5V supply: VIN is powered with 3V - 5V; SDA and SCL connect to 3.3V and 5V controller boards as in the seller wiring diagram.

Features:

• Product type:    Laser distance (time of flight) sensor module
• Model: TOF400C
• Sensor: ST VL53L1X
• Measuring range: 4cm - 400cm (long distance mode, dark environment, white target)
• Dead zone: 0 - 4cm
• Distance modes: Short (up to 1.3m), medium (up to 3m in the dark), long (up to 4m in the dark)
• Measurement rate: up to 50Hz in short mode, up to 30Hz in medium and long mode
• Field of view: 27 degrees (measurement area can be narrowed by software)
• Laser: 940nm infrared, Class 1 (eye safe)
• Communication: I2C, default address 0x29 (0x52 in 8 bit notation), address changeable by software
• Connection points: VIN, GND, SDA, SCL, INT (interrupt), SHUT (shutdown)
• Operating voltage: 3V - 5V
• Operating current: up to 40mA
• Protective cover: With optical filter, protects against dust and unwanted light
• Single axis hand gesture (approach / move away) detection
• Operating temperature: -20°C - 70°C
• Mounting holes: 2 x M2
• Colour: Black board
• Dimensions: about 20mm x 12mm
• Weight: about 1.5gr

Usage information:

• Connect VIN to a 3.3V or 5V supply, GND to ground and SDA and SCL to the I2C pins of the controller board. The sensor works without INT and SHUT connected.
• If you use more than one TOF400C on the same I2C bus, connect the SHUT pin of each sensor to a separate output; switch the sensors on one by one and give each a different address by software.
• Choose short distance mode if the environment is bright or the target is closer than 1.3m, and long distance mode for far targets in the dark. Range and stability increase as the measurement time (timing budget) is extended.
• Ready software libraries for the VL53L1X (ST API and community libraries) can be used with this module.

Application areas:

•  Robot obstacle detection and collision avoidance
•  Drone landing and low altitude measurement
•  Parking space and reversing distance warning
•  Tank, hopper and waste bin fill level measurement
•  Door and passage counter, people detection
•  Camera autofocus assist
•  Touchless on / off with hand gesture
•  Automatic faucet, soap dispenser and hand dryer
•  Height and body height meter
•  Wall distance in robot vacuums and maze robots

Precautions:

•  400cm is the maximum value for a white target in the dark. In strong daylight and on dark, low reflectance targets the range becomes noticeably shorter; 4m should not be expected outdoors.
•  The sensor cannot measure objects closer than 4cm accurately (dead zone).
•  Do not scratch or touch the optical filter and sensor window; dirt and scratches spoil the measurement. Extra glass or plastic placed in front causes reflection errors.
•  Measurement may be wrong on shiny or transparent surfaces such as glass, mirrors and water.
•  The pin header is not soldered; do not heat the sensor and cover for long while soldering.
•  The sources do not state that the INT and SHUT pins are 5V tolerant. If you use these pins with a 5V controller board, use a level shifter; otherwise leave them unconnected.

Package contents:

•  1 Piece TOF400C 4m Laser Distance Sensor
•  1 Piece optical filter protective cover ( Assembled )
•  1 Piece 6 pin male header
•  Note: Connection cables and controller board are not included in the package.