Using a VL53L1X Laser Distance Sensor to Measure Distances Up to 4 Meters

Using a VL53L1X Laser Distance Sensor to Measure Distances Up to 4 Meters

The VL53L1X is a time-of-flight laser distance sensor capable of measuring distances up to 4 meters with high accuracy. This sensor communicates via I2C and is versatile for various applications, such as robotics and automation. In this tutorial, we will explore how to set up the VL53L1X sensor with an Arduino and read distance values effectively.

The sensor is powered by either 3.3V or 5V, and it has multiple pins for I2C communication, including SDA and SCL. The sensor can measure distances at a frequency of 50Hz, allowing for rapid distance readings. This tutorial will guide you through the wiring process and the code necessary to operate the sensor smoothly. For further clarification, you can check the video (in video at 00:00).

Hardware Explained

The main component of this project is the VL53L1X laser distance sensor, which utilizes a technology known as time-of-flight (ToF) to measure distances. This means it calculates the distance to an object by timing how long it takes for a laser pulse to return after hitting an object. The sensor features I2C communication, which allows for easy integration with microcontrollers like Arduino. In addition to the sensor, you will need an Arduino board for processing. The Arduino will handle the communication with the VL53L1X and display the measured distances. The setup is straightforward, as the sensor can be powered directly from the Arduino's output pins.

Datasheet Details

Manufacturer	STMicroelectronics
Part number	VL53L1X
Logic/IO voltage	3.3 – 5 V
Supply voltage	2.6 – 5.5 V
Output current (per channel)	Not applicable
Peak current (per channel)	Not applicable
PWM frequency guidance	Not applicable
Input logic thresholds	0.3 × VCC (low), 0.7 × VCC (high)
Voltage drop / R_DS(on) / saturation	Not applicable
Thermal limits	0 to 85 °C
Package	4.9 x 2.5 x 1.6 mm
Notes / variants	Long-distance time-of-flight sensor

Power the sensor with 3.3V or 5V as required.
Use the I2C pins, SDA and SCL, for communication.
Set the distance mode according to your needs (short, medium, long).
Ensure the sensor is calibrated for accurate distance readings.
Handle ambient light conditions carefully as they can affect measurements.

Wiring Instructions

To wire the VL53L1X sensor to an Arduino, connect the VCC pin of the sensor to the 5V pin on the Arduino using a red wire. Connect the ground pin (GND) of the sensor to the Arduino's GND using a brown wire. For the I2C communication, connect the SDA pin of the sensor to the Arduino's A4 pin using a yellow wire and the SCL pin to the A5 pin using a green wire. If you want to use the optional interrupt and shutdown pins, connect the shutdown pin to digital pin 2 and the interrupt pin to digital pin 3, but these are not necessary for basic operation.

Code Examples & Walkthrough

In the code, we first include the necessary libraries and define the pins for the sensor. We create an instance of the sensor with the line:

SFEVL53L1X distanceSensor;

This line initializes the sensor, allowing us to call its methods later in the program. Next, we set up the I2C communication and initialize the sensor:

void setup(void)
{
  Wire.begin();
  Serial.begin(9600);
  Serial.println("VL53L1X Qwiic Test");

  if (distanceSensor.begin() == 0) //Begin returns 0 on a good init
  {
    Serial.println("Sensor online!");
  }
}

In this excerpt, we start the I2C communication with Wire.begin() and check if the sensor is successfully initialized. Finally, to read the distance, we use the following code in the loop:

void loop(void)
{
  int distance = distanceSensor.getDistance(); // Get distance
  Serial.print("Distance: ");
  Serial.println(distance);
}

This code retrieves the distance measurement and prints it to the serial monitor. The loop continuously reads the distance, allowing for real-time updates. For a complete code example, please refer to the full code loaded below the article.

Demonstration / What to Expect

When the sensor is set up correctly, you can expect it to provide accurate distance measurements up to 4 meters. You may observe slight fluctuations in readings, especially in varying lighting conditions (in video at 10:30). It is essential to ensure that the sensor is clean and unobstructed to get precise results. If you encounter any unusual readings, verify that the sensor is powered correctly and that the I2C connections are secure. The sensor's performance may be affected by the environment, particularly in bright light or reflective surfaces.