STMicroelectronics improves ranging performance and energy efficiency with next generation multi zone time-of-flight sensors

    The latest generation 8x8 multi zone time of flight (ToF) ranging sensor VL53L8CX from STMicroelectronics has achieved a series of improvements, including stronger resistance to environmental light interference, lower power consumption, and stronger optical performance.

    The direct ToF sensor of STMicroelectronics integrates a 940nm vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) and a multi region SPAD (single photon avalanche diode) detector array in one module, as well as an optical system composed of filters and diffractive optical elements (DOE). Among them, the performance of optical systems is superior to traditional microlenses commonly used as alternative sensors. The field of view angle of the new sensor is 45 ° x45 ° (diagonal 65 °), and the distance from the object to the sensor is calculated by receiving reflected light. The farthest measurement distance is 400 centimeters, and it can measure 64 independent areas, with a maximum range of 30 times per second.

    The new product VL53L8CX improves ranging performance by adopting a new generation VCSEL light source and advanced silicon based optical components. Compared with the existing ranging sensor VL53L5CX, the new sensor has improved its ability to resist environmental light interference. The daylight ranging performance in low-power mode has been extended from 170 centimeters to 285 centimeters, while the power consumption has been reduced from 4.5 milliwatts to 1.6 milliwatts.

    STMicroelectronics released its first multi zone time-of-flight sensor VL53L5CX in 2021. By improving ranging performance, the newly launched VL53L8CX further widens the advantage gap between the Italian semiconductor sensor and alternatives using traditional optical components. Traditional optical components have fewer inherent ranging areas and lower sensitivity in the peripheral measurement area. Thanks to true 8x8 multi area ranging, the VL53L8CX ensures consistent sensitivity throughout the entire field of view, high ranging accuracy, and longer range under ambient light conditions.

    When VL53L8CX is used for system activation and personnel presence detection, better resistance to environmental light interference makes the device‘s response faster and performance more stable. VL53L8CX or STGesture ™ The hardware components of the platform include the STSW-IMG035 gesture recognition software package and gesture EVK development tool. The new sensor provides the ranging accuracy required for repeatable action interaction. In addition to action recognition, gesture recognition can also be achieved using the latest artificial intelligence models in STM32ai modelzoo on GitHub.

    In addition, in industrial bulk storage and warehousing, VL53L8CX can improve the capacity and level monitoring accuracy of containers, silos, and storage tanks. Excellent ranging accuracy can also improve the performance of beverage machines such as coffee machines and beverage dispensers.

    Mobile robots, including automatic vacuum cleaners, can improve their tracking and navigation capabilities using VL53L8CX, such as floor sensing, small object detection, collision avoidance, and airborne drop detection. In addition, the synchronization pin can accelerate the autofocus of the projector and camera. There is also a motion indicator on the module, which is an automatic stop function that allows real-time action. The sensor is not affected by crosstalk from the cover plate at a distance of 60 centimeters. Now, in addition to the 1MHz I2C interface, the new sensor also supports the SPI interface, which can transmit data up to 3MHz to the main controller.

    Designers can quickly evaluate VL53L8CX using supporting ecosystems to accelerate project development progress. The development ecosystem includes the X-NUCLEO-53L8A1 expansion board and SATEL-VL53L8 adapter board. STMicroelectronics also offers the P-NUCLEO-53L8A1 development package, which includes the STM32F401 NUCLEO microcontroller board and the X-NUCLEO-53L8A1 expansion board. It can be powered on at any time and development can begin.

    The VL53L8CX is now available in a 6.4mm x 3.0mm x 1.75mm lead-free package.