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SparkFun Distance Sensor - 1.3 Meter, VL53L4CD (Qwiic)
This SparkFun Distance Sensor Breakout utilizes the VL53L4CD next generation ToF (Time of Flight) sensor module to give you the highly accurate measurements at short ranges for its size. The VL53L4CD from STMicroelectronics uses a VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser) to emit an infrared laser to time the reflection to the target. That means that you will be able to measure the distance to an object from 1mm to 1300mm away with millimeter resolution! To make it even easier to get your readings, all communication is enacted exclusively via I2C, utilizing our handy Qwiic system so no soldering is required to connect it to the rest of your system. However, we still have broken out 0.1”-spaced pins in case you prefer to use a breadboard.
Each VL53L4CD sensor features a precision to be 1mm with an accuracy around +/-7mm (white target: 88%, indoor, no infrared) and a minimum read distance of this sensor is 1mm. The field of view for this little breakout has a typical full field of view of 18° with a read rate of up to 100Hz. Make sure to power this board appropriately since it will need 2.6V-3.5V to operate. Lastly, please be sure to remove the protective sticker on the VL53L4CD before use otherwise it will, most assuredly, throw off your readings.
Note: This is a CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT CLASSIFIED IEC 60825-1 2014.
The SparkFun Qwiic Connect System is an ecosystem of I2C sensors, actuators, shields and cables that make prototyping faster and less prone to error. All Qwiic-enabled boards use a common 1mm pitch, 4-pin JST connector. This reduces the amount of required PCB space, and polarized connections mean you can’t hook it up wrong.
- Operating Voltage
- 2.6V to 3.5V
- (typically 3.3V via Qwiic cable)
- Average Current Consumption
- 22mA typically
- 24mA max
- 40mA peak current (including VSCEL)
- Measurement Range: 1mm to 1300mm
- Resolution: ±1mm
- Light Source: Class 1 940nm VCSEL
- Field of View: 18°
- Max Read Rate: 100Hz
- 2x Qwiic Connectors
- 7-bit unshifted I2C Address: 0x29
- Operating Temperature Range
- -30°C to +85°C
- Power LED
- Jumpers
- Pull-up Resistors
- LED
Note: The I2C address of the VL53L4CD is 0x29 and is hardware defined. A multiplexer/Mux is required to communicate to multiple VL53L4CD sensors on a single bus. If you need to use more than one VL53L4CD sensor consider using the Qwiic Mux Breakout.
SparkFun Distance Sensor - 1.3 Meter, VL53L4CD (Qwiic) Product Help and Resources
Qwiic Distance Sensor (VL53L1X, VL53L4CD) Hookup Guide
February 10, 2022
The Qwiic Distance Sensor - VL53L1X is a time of flight sensor that is capable of several modes, as well as having a range of 4M. It's cousin VL53L4CD is also a time of flight sensor with similar characteristics but it has a range of about 1.3M. Let's hook it up and find out just how far away that thing over there is.
Core Skill: Programming
If a board needs code or communicates somehow, you're going to need to know how to program or interface with it. The programming skill is all about communication and code.
Skill Level: Rookie - You will need a better fundamental understand of what code is, and how it works. You will be using beginner-level software and development tools like Arduino. You will be dealing directly with code, but numerous examples and libraries are available. Sensors or shields will communicate with serial or TTL.
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Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping
If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.
Skill Level: Rookie - You may be required to know a bit more about the component, such as orientation, or how to hook it up, in addition to power requirements. You will need to understand polarized components.
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Looks like the schematic and silkscreen both call out 0x29 but code that works points to 0x52 as does the chip spec. If I find out more info I'll add to this post.-NEW INFO- 0x29 is the 7 bit address. This is left shift 1 bit. Then bit position 0 is used for read and write. So both are right. 0x29(7bit address), 0x52=Write, 0x53 read. This is how I2C works.
Will this reliably detect water? I want to measure the distance to the surface of the water.
This sensor is optimized to perform at close proximity. You could potentially use it with transparent/reflective materials; however, there are certain constraints. For more information, please reference the ST website:
Howdy, I wanted to get some info on the sparkfun library used to communicate with the prox sensor. Whenever I download the library from the lib manager in the Arduino IDE (1.8.19) and upload it to my board(s) ( I tested this on: leonardo, micro, and uno), it destroys my arduino. It can no longer be found by my computer, via device manager.
Is this a known issue? Can it be fixed? I don't believe this would be an irreparable mistake, but if you have info on how to fix the board, can you send it my way?
Thank you, Max