Lesson 76-1: Using a Single VL6180 Laser Distance Sensor with Arduino
Lesson 76-1: Using a Single VL6180 Laser Distance Sensor with Arduino
In this tutorial, we will learn how to use the VL6180X laser distance sensor with an Arduino board. This compact sensor can accurately measure distances up to 20 centimeters, making it suitable for various applications in robotics and object detection. By the end of this tutorial, you will have a clear understanding of how to wire the sensor, install the necessary library, and implement the code to get distance readings.

The VL6180X sensor operates using a time-of-flight (ToF) principle, emitting a laser and measuring the time it takes for the light to return after bouncing off an object. This method allows for precise distance measurements and is widely used in mobile devices and robotics. In the following sections, we will discuss the hardware components, wiring instructions, and code implementation.
Hardware Explained
The main component of this project is the VL6180X laser distance sensor. This sensor features an I2C interface, making it easy to connect to the Arduino. It has several pins, including power, ground, and data lines. The sensor operates at a voltage range of 2.6 to 3.6 volts and can measure distances with high accuracy.
Additionally, the Arduino board serves as the microcontroller that reads data from the sensor and processes it. The setup requires basic electronic components such as jumper wires and a breadboard for connections. Understanding how each component interacts is crucial for successful implementation.
Datasheet Details
| Manufacturer | STMicroelectronics |
|---|---|
| Part number | VL6180X |
| Logic/IO voltage | 2.6 - 3.6 V |
| Supply voltage | 2.6 - 3.6 V |
| Output current | 1.7 mA (typ.) |
| Peak current | 10 mA (max.) |
| PWM frequency guidance | N/A |
| Input logic thresholds | N/A |
| Voltage drop / RDS(on) / saturation | N/A |
| Thermal limits | -20 to 70 °C |
| Package | 4.8 x 2.8 x 1 mm |
| Notes / variants | Proximity and ranging sensor |
- Ensure the power supply is within the specified range to avoid damaging the sensor.
- Use pull-up resistors on the I2C lines if necessary for reliable communication.
- Keep the sensor away from direct sunlight for accurate readings.
- Consider using a breadboard for easy connections and adjustments.
- Check the library documentation for specific function usage and capabilities.
Wiring Instructions


To wire the VL6180X sensor to the Arduino, start by connecting the sensor's VCC pin to the 5V pin on the Arduino. Next, connect the sensor's GND pin to the GND pin on the Arduino. The SCL pin of the sensor should be connected to A5, while the SDA pin should be connected to A4 on the Arduino.
Make sure to connect the sensor in this order: VCC to 5V, GND to GND, SDA to A4, and SCL to A5. If you plan to use multiple sensors, ensure that each has a unique I2C address and that the shutdown pins are managed appropriately.
Code Examples & Walkthrough
In the code, we begin by including the necessary libraries and initializing the sensor instance. The following excerpt shows how to set up the I2C communication and check if the sensor is found:
void setup() {
Serial.begin(115200);
while (!Serial) { delay(1); }
if (! vl.begin()) {
Serial.println("Failed to find sensor");
while (1);
}
Serial.println("Sensor found!");
}
This code initializes the serial monitor and attempts to begin communication with the VL6180X sensor. If the sensor is not found, it will print an error message and halt the program.
Next, we read the range from the sensor and check for any errors:
void loop() {
uint8_t range = vl.readRange();
uint8_t status = vl.readRangeStatus();
if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_NONE) {
Serial.print("Range: "); Serial.print(range);
Serial.println("mm");
}
}
This excerpt reads the distance measured by the sensor and prints it to the serial monitor. If there are any errors, the corresponding error messages can be printed based on the status returned.
Demonstration / What to Expect
After completing the wiring and uploading the code to the Arduino, you should observe the distance readings on the serial monitor. When an object is placed within the sensor's range, the distance in millimeters will be displayed. If the object is too far or too close, the sensor will return an error message. This behavior can be confirmed in the video demonstration (in video at 19:30).
Video Timestamps
- 00:00 Start
- 00:56 Introduction
- 04:30 VL6080V Datasheet viewed
- 06:58 Wiring shown
- 07:32 Wiring for two or more sensors
- 09:22 Installing library
- 10:30 Arduino code explained (1 sensor)
- 12:57 Code for 2 or more sensors
- 19:35 Demonstration 1 sensor
- 22:05 Demonstration with 2 sensors
/*
* Arduino code
Using a single VL6180X 20cm Time-of-Flight proximity sensor with Arduino
View code for using a single VL6180X sensor: https://robojax.com?vid=robojax_VL6180X_laser2
* Original code and library by https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_VL6180X
*
* Written/updated by Ahmad Shamshiri for Robojax Robojax.com
* on Mar 10, 2021 in Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Watch the video instruction for this sketch: https://youtu.be/_H9D0czQpSI
If you found this tutorial helpful, please support me so I can continue creating
content like this.
or make a donation using PayPal http://robojax.com/L/?id=64
*
* Code is available at http://robojax.com/learn/arduino
* This code is "AS IS" without warranty or liability. Free to be used as long as you keep this note intact.
* This code has been downloaded from Robojax.com
This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
(at your option) any later version.
This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
GNU General Public License for more details.
You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
along with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
*/
#include <Wire.h>
#include "Adafruit_VL6180X.h"
Adafruit_VL6180X vl = Adafruit_VL6180X();
void setup() {
Serial.begin(115200);
// wait for serial port to open on native usb devices
while (!Serial) {
delay(1);
}
Serial.println("Adafruit VL6180x test!");
if (! vl.begin()) {
Serial.println("Failed to find sensor");
while (1);
}
Serial.println("Sensor found!");
}
void loop() {
uint8_t range = vl.readRange();
uint8_t status = vl.readRangeStatus();
if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_NONE) {
Serial.print("Range: "); Serial.print(range);
Serial.println("mm");
}
// if(range <=76)
// {
// //do something
// }
// Some error occurred, print it out!
if ((status >= VL6180X_ERROR_SYSERR_1) && (status <= VL6180X_ERROR_SYSERR_5)) {
Serial.println("System error");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_ECEFAIL) {
Serial.println("ECE failure");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_NOCONVERGE) {
Serial.println("No convergence");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_RANGEIGNORE) {
Serial.println("Ignoring range");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_SNR) {
Serial.println("Signal/Noise error");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_RAWUFLOW) {
Serial.println("Raw reading underflow");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_RAWOFLOW) {
Serial.println("Raw reading overflow");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_RANGEUFLOW) {
Serial.println("Range reading underflow");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_RANGEOFLOW) {
Serial.println("Range reading overflow");
}
delay(50);
}
/*
* Lesson 76-1: Using one VL6180 laser distance sensor with Arduino
* Adafruit code modified for this tutorial
* by Ahmad Shamshiri at 22:22 on
* March 10-11, 2021 in Ajax, ON, Canada
Please watch video instruction of this code: https://youtu.be/_H9D0czQpSI
View code for using two or more VL6180X sensors: https://robojax.com/course1/lecture76
This video is part of the Arduino Step by Step Course, which starts here: https://youtu.be/-6qSrDUA5a8
If you found this tutorial helpful, please support me so I can continue creating
content like this. You can support me on Patreon: http://robojax.com/L/?id=63
or make a donation using PayPal: http://robojax.com/L/?id=64
* This code is "AS IS" without warranty or liability. Free to be used as long as you keep this note intact. *
* This code has been downloaded from Robojax.com
This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
(at your option) any later version.
This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
GNU General Public License for more details.
You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
along with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
*/
#include <Wire.h>
#include "Adafruit_VL6180X.h"
Adafruit_VL6180X vl = Adafruit_VL6180X();
void setup() {
Serial.begin(115200);
// wait for serial port to open on native usb devices
while (!Serial) {
delay(1);
}
Serial.println("Adafruit VL6180x test!");
if (! vl.begin()) {
Serial.println("Failed to find sensor");
while (1);
}
Serial.println("Sensor found!");
}
void loop() {
uint8_t range = vl.readRange();
uint8_t status = vl.readRangeStatus();
if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_NONE) {
Serial.print("Range: "); Serial.print(range);
Serial.println("mm");
}
// if(range <=76)
// {
// //do something
// }
// Some error occurred, print it out!
if ((status >= VL6180X_ERROR_SYSERR_1) && (status <= VL6180X_ERROR_SYSERR_5)) {
Serial.println("System error");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_ECEFAIL) {
Serial.println("ECE failure");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_NOCONVERGE) {
Serial.println("No convergence");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_RANGEIGNORE) {
Serial.println("Ignoring range");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_SNR) {
Serial.println("Signal/Noise error");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_RAWUFLOW) {
Serial.println("Raw reading underflow");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_RAWOFLOW) {
Serial.println("Raw reading overflow");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_RANGEUFLOW) {
Serial.println("Range reading underflow");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_RANGEOFLOW) {
Serial.println("Range reading overflow");
}
delay(50);
}
/*
* Arduino code
* Lesson 76-2: Using two or more VL6180 Laser Distance Sensors with Arduino
* Adafruit code modified for this tutorial
* Using two or more VL6180X 20cm Time-of-Flight proximity sensors with Arduino
*
* View code for using single VL6180X sensors: https://robojax.com/course1/lecture76
*
* Original code and library by https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_VL6180X
*
* Written/updated by Ahmad Shamshiri for Robojax Robojax.com
* on Mar 12, 2021 in Ajax, Ontario, Canada
* Watch the video instruction for this sketch: https://youtu.be/_H9D0czQpSI
*
*
* Please watch video instruction for this code: https://youtu.be/_H9D0czQpSI
*
* This video is part of Arduino Step by Step Course which starts here: https://youtu.be/-6qSrDUA5a8
*
*
* If you found this tutorial helpful, please support me so I can continue creating
* content like this.
*
* or make a donation using PayPal http://robojax.com/L/?id=64
*
* This code is "AS IS" without warranty or liability. Free to be used as long as you keep this note intact.
* This code has been downloaded from Robojax.com
* This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
* it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
* the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
* (at your option) any later version.
*
* This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
* but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
* MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
* GNU General Public License for more details.
*
* You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
* along with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
*
*/
#include <Adafruit_VL6180X.h>
// address we will assign if dual sensor is present
#define LOX1_ADDRESS 0x30
#define LOX2_ADDRESS 0x31
// set the pins to shutdown
#define SHT_LOX1 7
#define SHT_LOX2 6
// Optional define GPIO pins to check to see if complete
#define GPIO_LOX1 4
#define GPIO_LOX2 3
#define TIMING_PIN 13
// objects for the VL6180X
Adafruit_VL6180X lox1 = Adafruit_VL6180X();
Adafruit_VL6180X lox2 = Adafruit_VL6180X();
// Setup mode for doing reads
typedef enum {RUN_MODE_DEFAULT, RUN_MODE_TIMED, RUN_MODE_ASYNC, RUN_MODE_GPIO, RUN_MODE_CONT} runmode_t;
runmode_t run_mode = RUN_MODE_DEFAULT;
uint8_t show_command_list = 1;
//==========================================================================
// Define some globals used in the continuous range mode
// Note: going to start table drive this part, may back up and do the rest later
Adafruit_VL6180X *sensors[] = {&lox1, &lox2};
const uint8_t COUNT_SENSORS = sizeof(sensors) / sizeof(sensors[0]);
const int sensor_gpios[COUNT_SENSORS] = {GPIO_LOX1, GPIO_LOX2}; // if any are < 0 will poll instead
uint8_t tempRange;
uint8_t sensor_ranges[COUNT_SENSORS];
uint8_t sensor_status[COUNT_SENSORS];
// Could do with uint8_t for 8 sensors, but just in case...
const uint16_t ALL_SENSORS_PENDING = ((1 << COUNT_SENSORS) - 1);
uint16_t sensors_pending = ALL_SENSORS_PENDING;
uint32_t sensor_last_cycle_time;
/*
Reset all sensors by setting all of their XSHUT pins low for delay(10), then set all XSHUT high to bring out of reset
Keep sensor #1 awake by keeping XSHUT pin high
Put all other sensors into shutdown by pulling XSHUT pins low
Initialize sensor #1 with lox.begin(new_i2c_address) Pick any number but 0x29 and it must be under 0x7F. Going with 0x30 to 0x3F is probably OK.
Keep sensor #1 awake, and now bring sensor #2 out of reset by setting its XSHUT pin high.
Initialize sensor #2 with lox.begin(new_i2c_address) Pick any number but 0x29 and whatever you set the first sensor to
*/
void setID() {
// all reset
digitalWrite(SHT_LOX1, LOW);
digitalWrite(SHT_LOX2, LOW);
delay(10);
// all unreset
digitalWrite(SHT_LOX1, HIGH);
digitalWrite(SHT_LOX2, HIGH);
delay(10);
// activating LOX1 and reseting LOX2
digitalWrite(SHT_LOX1, HIGH);
digitalWrite(SHT_LOX2, LOW);
// initing LOX1
if (!lox1.begin()) {
Serial.println(F("Failed to boot first VL6180X"));
while (1);
}
lox1.setAddress(LOX1_ADDRESS);
delay(10);
// activating LOX2
digitalWrite(SHT_LOX2, HIGH);
delay(10);
//initing LOX2
if (!lox2.begin()) {
Serial.println(F("Failed to boot second VL6180X"));
while (1);
}
lox2.setAddress(LOX2_ADDRESS);
delay(10);
}
void readSensor(Adafruit_VL6180X &vl) {
float lux = vl.readLux(VL6180X_ALS_GAIN_5);
uint8_t range = vl.readRange();
uint8_t status = vl.readRangeStatus();
if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_NONE) {
tempRange = range;//save it for the moment
}
// Some error occurred, print it out!
if ((status >= VL6180X_ERROR_SYSERR_1) && (status <= VL6180X_ERROR_SYSERR_5)) {
Serial.print("(System error)");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_ECEFAIL) {
Serial.print("(ECE failure)");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_NOCONVERGE) {
Serial.print("(No convergence)");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_RANGEIGNORE) {
Serial.print("(Ignoring range)");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_SNR) {
Serial.print("Signal/Noise error");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_RAWUFLOW) {
Serial.print("Raw reading underflow");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_RAWOFLOW) {
Serial.print("Raw reading overflow");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_RANGEUFLOW) {
Serial.print("Range reading underflow");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_RANGEOFLOW) {
Serial.print("Range reading overflow");
}
}
void read_sensors() {
readSensor(lox1);
sensor_ranges[0]=tempRange;//save it now
readSensor(lox2);
sensor_ranges[1]=tempRange; //save it now
Serial.println();
}
//===============================================================
// Setup
//===============================================================
void setup() {
Serial.begin(115200);
// wait until serial port opens for native USB devices
while (! Serial) {
delay(1);
}
pinMode(SHT_LOX1, OUTPUT);
pinMode(SHT_LOX2, OUTPUT);
// Enable timing pin so easy to see when pass starts and ends
pinMode(TIMING_PIN, OUTPUT);
#ifdef GPIO_LOX1
// If we defined GPIO pins, enable them as PULL UP
pinMode(GPIO_LOX1, INPUT_PULLUP);
pinMode(GPIO_LOX2, INPUT_PULLUP);
#endif
Serial.println("Shutdown pins inited...");
digitalWrite(SHT_LOX1, LOW);
digitalWrite(SHT_LOX2, LOW);
digitalWrite(TIMING_PIN, LOW);
Serial.println("All in reset mode...(pins are low)");
Serial.println("Starting...");
setID();
}
//===============================================================
// Loop
//===============================================================
void loop() {
read_sensors();
for(int i=0; i<COUNT_SENSORS; i++)
{
Serial.print("Sensor ");
Serial.print(i);
Serial.print(" :");
Serial.print(sensor_ranges[i]);
Serial.print("mm");
Serial.println();
}
// if(sensor_ranges[1] >=76)
// {
// //do something here
// }
delay(100);
}
Вещи, которые могут вам понадобиться
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АлиЭкспрессКупите сенсор VL618X на AliExpress.s.click.aliexpress.com
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БанггудКупите сенсор VL618X на Banggoodbanggood.com
Ресурсы и ссылки
-
Внешний
-
Внешний
-
ВнешнийPurchase VL6180X from Amazon USAamzn.to
-
ВнешнийVL6080X datasheetst.com
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