ST's next-generation multi-zone time-of-flight sensor improves ranging performance and energy efficiency
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Update time : 2024-01-10 16:42:37
ST's latest-generation 8x8 multi-zone time-of-flight (ToF) ranging sensor, the VL53L8CX, realizes a number of improvements, including greater immunity to ambient light interference, lower power consumption and enhanced optical performance.
ST's direct ToF sensor integrates a 940nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) and a multi-zone SPAD (single-photon avalanche diode) detector array in a single module, as well as an optical system consisting of filters and diffractive optics (DOEs). Among other things, the optical system outperforms conventional microlenses commonly used in similar replaceable sensors. The new sensor has a field of view of 45°x45° (65° diagonal) and calculates the distance from the object to the sensor by receiving reflected light, with a maximum measurement distance of 400 centimeters, 64 separate zones, and up to 30 range measurements per second. The new VL53L8CX improves ranging performance by utilizing a new generation of VCSEL light sources and advanced silicon primitive optics. Compared to the existing ranging sensor VL53L5CX, the new sensor improves immunity to ambient light interference and extends daylight ranging performance in low-power mode from 170 to 285 centimeters, while reducing power consumption from 4.5 to 1.6 milliwatts. ST released its first multi-zone time-of-flight sensor, the VL53L5CX, in 2021. by improving ranging performance, the new VL53L8CX further widens the advantageous gap between ST's sensors and alternatives with conventional optics, which have a smaller inherent ranging area and lower sensitivity in the peripheral measurement zone. Thanks to true 8x8 multi-area ranging, the VL53L8CX ensures consistent sensitivity across the entire field of view, high ranging accuracy and longer ranging in ambient light conditions. When the VL53L8CX is used for system activation and presence detection, better immunity to ambient light interference results in a faster response and more stable performance of the device.The VL53L8CX is also a hardware component of the STMicroelectronics STGesture™ platform, the other components being the STSW-IMG035 gesture recognition software package and the Gesture EVK development tool. The new sensor provides the ranging accuracy needed for repeatable action interactions. In addition to action recognition, gesture recognition can be implemented using the latest AI models in the STM32ai modelzoo on GitHub. Additionally, in industrial bulk storage and warehousing, the VL53L8CX improves capacity and level monitoring accuracy in bins, containers, silos and tanks. Excellent ranging accuracy can also improve the performance of beverage machines such as coffee makers and beverage dispensers. Mobile robots, including automated vacuum cleaners, utilize the VL53L8CX to improve homing navigation capabilities, such as floor sensing, small object detection, collision avoidance, and overhang fall detection. In addition, synchronization pins speed up autofocus for projectors and cameras. There is also a motion indicator on the module, which is an auto-stop feature that allows for real-time movement. The sensor is unaffected by crosstalk from the cover at distances up to 60 centimeters away. Now, in addition to the 1MHz I2C interface, the new sensor also supports an SPI interface for data transfers up to 3MHz with the host controller. Designers can quickly evaluate the VL53L8CX with the accompanying ecosystem to accelerate project development. The development ecosystem includes the X-NUCLEO-53L8A1 expansion board and the SATEL-VL53L8 adapter board. ST also offers the P-NUCLEO-53L8A1 development kit, which includes the STM32F401 NUCLEO microcontroller board and the X-NUCLEO--53L8A1 expansion board, ready to be powered up and start developing. The VL53L8CX is available now in a 6.4mm x 3.0mm x 1.75mm leadless package.
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