LightRanger 10 Click is a compact add-on board suitable for range-finding and distance sensing applications. This board features the VL53L4CX, a ToF (time of flight) optical distance sensor with an extended target detection range from STMicroelectronics. Specifically designed for long-range and multi-target measurements, the VL53L4CX provides very accurate distance measurements up to 6m with excellent results over short distances and 18° FoV (Field of View), which improves performances under ambient light. Data processing is performed inside the VL53L4CX, providing distance information and confidence values through its I2C interface. This Click board™ is suitable for presence (object) detection, distance measurement, industrial ranging, inventory control, and many other applications.

LightRanger 10 Click as its foundation uses the VL53L4CX, a ToF (Time-of-Flight) optical distance sensor with an extended target detection range from STMicroelectronics. This ToF sensor integrates a VCSEL (vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser), which emits an entirely invisible 940nm IR light, totally safe for eyes (Class 1 certification), and a SPAD (single-photon avalanche diode) array which helps the VL53L4CX to achieve the best ranging performance even when a Click board™ is hidden behind a wide range of cover glass materials.

Specifically designed for long-range and multi-target measurements, the VL53L4CX provides very accurate distance measurements up to 6m with excellent results over short distances and 18° FoV (Field of View), which improves performances under ambient light. Thanks to ST's patented algorithms, the VL53L4CX can detect multiple objects within the FoV with depth understanding. ST histogram algorithms ensure cover glass crosstalk immunity beyond 80cm and dynamic smudge compensation for targets below 80cm. Like all Time-of-Flight sensors based on ST's FlightSense technology, the VL53L4CX records an absolute distance measurement regardless of the target color and reflectance.

LightRanger 10 Click communicates with MCU using the standard I2C 2-Wire interface to read data and configure settings with a maximum clock frequency of 1MHz. This Click board™ can be enabled or disabled through the EN pin routed to the CS pin of the mikroBUS™ socket; hence, offering a switch operation to turn ON the initial boot sequence of the VL53L4CX. It also possesses an additional interrupt pin, routed to the INT pin on the mikroBUS™ socket, indicating when a ranging measurement is available.

This Click board™ can be operated only with a 3.3V logic voltage level. The board must perform appropriate logic voltage level conversion before using MCUs with different logic levels. However, the Click board™ comes equipped with a library containing functions and an example code that can be used, as a reference, for further development.

• Interface: I²c
• Compatibility: mikroBUS™
• Dimensions: 28.6 x 25.4mm
• Input Voltage: 3.3V
• Distance Measurement Range: Min. 0m, Max. 6m
• Field of View: 18 Deg
• VCSEL Wavelength: 940nm
• Operating Temperature Range: Min. -30°C, Typ. +25°C, Max. +85°C

• Schematic
• L53L4CX Datasheet
• mikroSDK
• GitHub