STMicroelectronics VL53L8CX 8×8 Multizone Time-of-Flight Sensor

STMicroelectronics VL53L8CX 8×8 Multizone Time-of-Flight Sensor enhances performance under ambient light with reduced power consumption. The VL53L8CX is based on ST’s FlightSense technology and is designed to deliver accurate ranging up to 400cm with a 65° diagonal FoV. The VL53L8CX measures an absolute distance regardless of the target color and reflectance. The VL53L8CX incorporates a powerful newer generation VCSEL and two advanced meta-surface lenses. The all-in-one module allows a wider variety of high-performance use cases, such as low-power system activation, gesture recognition, SLAM for robotics, liquid level monitoring, and many more.

The ST VL53L8CX ToF sensor implements patented algorithms that detect and track multiple targets within the FoV with a 64-zone depth measurement. The histograms ensure that the cover glass crosstalk immunity is above 60cm. The sensor facilitates SPI and I²C interfaces for high-frequency frame rates and short boot times. The VCSEL of the VL53L8CX emits fully invisible 940nm IR light and has a Class 1 certification that is safe for the eyes.

Features

New generation, multizone ToF (Time-of-Flight) sensor with low-power and enhanced distance-ranging performance
- Multizone distance measurement capability with either 4×4 or 8×8 separate zones
- Autonomous low-power mode with interrupt programmable threshold to wake up the host
- Ranging up to 400cm, with enhanced performance under ambient light
- Multitarget detection and distance measurement in each zone
- Histogram processing and algorithmic compensation to minimize or remove the impact of cover glass crosstalk
- Motion indicator for each zone to show if targets have moved and how they have moved
- Frame rate capability of 60Hz
Easy integration
- Single reflowable component
- 1.8V core supply and 3.3V AVDD supply required
- Optional 1.2V or 1.8V IOVDD interface voltage levels
- I²C (up to 1MHz) or SPI (up to 20MHz) interface
- Compatible with a wide range of cover glass materials
- Can be hidden behind dark cover glass

Fully integrated miniature module with wide FoV (field of view)
- New generation, a high-power emitter of 940nm invisible light VCSEL (vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser) and integrated analog driver
- 65° diagonal square FoV using DOEs (diffractive optical elements) on both transmitter and receiver
- Receiving array of SPADS (single photon avalanche diodes)
- Low-power microcontroller running firmware
- 6.4mm x 3.0mm x 1.75mm size

Applications

Robotic applications in difficult environments, including SLAM, wall tracking, small object detection, cliff prediction, and floor-type recognition
System activation under ambient light for smart buildings and smart lighting
Content management for tanks, loads in trucks, and waste bins
Liquid level monitoring
Gesture recognition
Keystone correction for video projectors

Devices requiring better ambient light immunity
Augmented reality/virtual reality enhancement
Dual camera stereoscopy and 3D depth assistance thanks to multizone distance measurements
IoT and battery-powered devices for user and object detection
LAF (laser-assisted autofocus), which enhances the camera AF system speed and robustness, especially in difficult low light or low contrast scenes

STMicroelectronics VL53L8CX 8×8 Multizone Time-of-Flight Sensor

Features

Applications

System block diagram

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