The VL53L0X uses ST’s FlightSense technology to precisely measure how long it takes for emitted pulses of infrared laser light to reach the nearest object and to be reflected back to a detector. It can be considered a tiny, self-contained lidar system. This time-of-flight (TOF) measurement enables it to accurately determine the absolute distance to a target without the object’s reflectance influencing the measurement. The sensor can report distances of up to 2 m (6.6 ft) with 1 mm resolution, but its effective range and accuracy (noise) depend heavily on ambient conditions and target characteristics like reflectance and size, as well as the sensor configuration (the sensor’s accuracy is specified to range from ±۳% at best to over ±۱۰% in less optimal conditions).

Ranging measurements are available through the sensor’s I⊃۲;C (TWI) interface, which is also used to configure sensor settings, and the sensor provides two additional pins: a shutdown input and an interrupt output.

The VL53L0X is a great IC, but its small, leadless, LGA package makes it difficult for the casual hobbyist to use. It also operates at a recommended voltage of 2.8 V, which can make interfacing difficult for microcontrollers operating at 3.3 V or 5 V. Our breakout board addresses these issues, making it easier to get started using the sensor, while keeping the overall size as small as possible.

PIN descriptions:
VDD: Regulated 2.8 V output. Almost 150 mA is available to power external components (If you want to bypass the internal regulator, you can instead use this pin as a 2.8 V input with VIN disconnected).

VIN: This is the main 2.6 V to 5.5 V power supply connection. The SCL and SDA level shifters pull the I⊃۲;C lines high to this level.

GND: The ground (0 V) connection for your power supply. Your I⊃۲;C control source must also share a common ground with this board.

SDA: Level-shifted I⊃۲;C data line: HIGH is VIN, LOW is 0 V

SCL: Level-shifted I⊃۲;C clock line: HIGH is VIN, LOW is 0 V

XSHUT: This pin is an active-low shutdown input; the board pulls it up to VDD to enable the sensor by default. Driving this pin low puts the sensor into hardware standby. This input is not level-shifted.