MIKROE LightRanger 8 Click is a compact add-on board that contains a ranging sensor with multi-target detection. This board features the VL53L3CX, the latest Time-of-Flight (ToF) product that embeds third-generation FlightSense patented technology from STMicroelectronics. It combines high-performance proximity and ranging sensor with multi-target distance measurements and automatic smudge correction. Also, it integrates a single-photon avalanche diode array and physical infrared filters to achieve the best ranging performance in various ambient lighting conditions, with a wide range of cover glass windows. This Click board™ is suitable for smart buildings and lighting, service robots, video focus tracking assistance, and many more.

LightRanger 8 Click as its foundation uses the VL53L3CX, the latest ToF ranging sensor with multi-target detection from STMicroelectronics. The VL53L3CX combines the benefits of a high-performance proximity sensor, with excellent short distance linearity, together with ranging capability up to 3m without getting affected by the target color or reflectance. It embeds third-generation FlightSense patented technology with multi-target distance measurements and automatic smudge correction. Also, it integrates a single-photon avalanche diode array and physical infrared filters to achieve the best ranging performance in various ambient lighting conditions, with a wide range of cover glass windows.

The VL53L3CX contains a laser emitter, 940nm invisible laser, and corresponding analog drive circuitry. The laser output remains within Class 1 laser safety limits under all reasonably foreseeable conditions, including single faults. The histogram algorithms increase cover glass crosstalk immunity and allow real-time smudge compensation, which eventually prevents external contamination from adversely affecting the ranging accuracy. With patented algorithms and ingenious module construction, the VL53L3CX can also detect various objects within the field of view.

LightRanger 8 Click communicates with MCU using the standard I2C 2-Wire interface, with a clock frequency up to 400kHz in the Fast and 1MHz in the Fast Mode Plus. Also, it provides the possibility of the device Power-Up/Boot and interrupt feature routed to the INT pin of the mikroBUS™ socket to optimize ranging operation.

Once a ranging measurement is available, an interrupt generates. Once the host reads the result, the driver clears the interrupt, and the ranging sequence can repeat. If the interrupt is still present, the ranging operation inside the VL53L3CX is on hold. The interrupt behavior allows a good synchronization between the VL53L3CX and the host, avoids losing results if the host is not available to acquire or process the data. On the other side, the Xshutdown pin, labeled as EN and routed to the CS pin of the mikroBUS™ socket, optimizes power consumption and is used for power on/off purposes.

This Click board™ can be operated only with a 3.3V logic voltage level. The board must perform appropriate logic voltage level conversion before use with MCUs with different logic levels. However, the Click board™ comes equipped with a library that contains 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
• Ranging Capability: Max. 3m
• Infrared Emitter: Typ. 940nm
• Operating Temperature Range: Min. -20°C, Typ. +25°C, Max. +85°C

• Schematic
• VL53L3CX Datasheet
• mikroSDK
• GitHub