This compact sonar range finder by Maxbotix detects objects from 0 to 6.45 m (21.2 ft) with a resolution of 2.5 cm (1") for distances beyond 15 cm (6"). Unlike other sonar range finders, the LV-MaxSonar has virtually no dead zone: it can detect even small objects up to and touching the front sensor face!The EZ0, EZ1, EZ2, EZ3, and EZ4 versions have progressively narrower beam angles.

MaxBotix ultrasonic sensor line comparison chart.

The Maxbotix LV-MaxSonar-EZ family of sonar range finders offers very short- to long-range detection and ranging in an incredibly small package with ultra-low power consumption. The LV-MaxSonar-EZ detects objects from 0 to 6.45 meters (21.2 feet) and provides sonar range information beyond 15 cm (6") with a resolution of 2.5 cm resolution (1 in). Objects between 0 and 15 cm range as 15 cm. The sensor provides three output interfaces, all of which are active simultaneously: digital pulse width output, analog voltage output, and asynchronous serial digital output. The LV-MaxSonar is available in five factory-calibrated beam patterns (EZ0-4).

For a higher-resolution, longer-range version, please consider the XL-MaxSonar-EZ and XL-MaxSonar-AE families of distance sensors.

Small and light: 0.870" x 0.785" x 0.645" (2.2 x 2.0 x 1.6 cm), 0.15 oz (4.3 g)

Long range detection: 0 – 6.45 m (21.2 ft)

No dead zone (detections from 0 to 6" are output as 6")

Resolution of 1" (2.5 cm)

Low typical current consumption: 2 mA

Runs on 2.5 – 5.5 V

42 kHz ultrasonic sensor

20 Hz reading rate

Free-run or triggered operation

Three interfaces (all are active simultaneously):

Serial output: asynchronous, logic-level, inverted, 9600 bps 8N1

Analog output: (Vcc/512) / inch (10 mV/inch when input voltage Vcc = 5 V)

Pulse width output: 147 μs/inch

Serial output: asynchronous, logic-level, inverted, 9600 bps 8N1

Analog output: (Vcc/512) / inch (10 mV/inch when input voltage Vcc = 5 V)

Pulse width output: 147 μs/inch

Since there are 15 members of the XL- and LV-MaxSonar acoustic distance sensor family, we recommend using the Maxbotix sonar range finder selection guide when choosing a acoustic range sensor for your application. There are 5 different beam configurations for the LV-MaxSonar family (EZ0 – EZ4), each pictured below.

LV-MaxSonar-EZ beam patterns (range shown on 1-foot grid to various diameter dowels)

Maxbotix LV-MaxSonar-EZ0 MB1000 beam characteristics:

Maxbotix LV-MaxSonar-EZ1 MB1010 beam characteristics:

Maxbotix LV-MaxSonar-EZ2 MB1020 beam characteristics:

Maxbotix LV-MaxSonar-EZ3 MB1030 beam characteristics:

Maxbotix LV-MaxSonar-EZ4 MB1040 beam characteristics:

People often buy this product together with:

This compact sonar range finder by Maxbotix detects objects from 0 to 6.45 m (21.2 ft) with a resolution of 2.5 cm (1") for distances beyond 15 cm (6"). Unlike other sonar range finders, the LV-MaxSonar has virtually no dead zone: it can detect even small objects up to and touching the front sensor face!The EZ0, EZ1, EZ2, EZ3, and EZ4 versions have progressively narrower beam angles.

MaxBotix ultrasonic sensor line comparison chart.

The Maxbotix LV-MaxSonar-EZ family of sonar range finders offers very short- to long-range detection and ranging in an incredibly small package with ultra-low power consumption. The LV-MaxSonar-EZ detects objects from 0 to 6.45 meters (21.2 feet) and provides sonar range information beyond 15 cm (6") with a resolution of 2.5 cm resolution (1 in). Objects between 0 and 15 cm range as 15 cm. The sensor provides three output interfaces, all of which are active simultaneously: digital pulse width output, analog voltage output, and asynchronous serial digital output. The LV-MaxSonar is available in five factory-calibrated beam patterns (EZ0-4).

For a higher-resolution, longer-range version, please consider the XL-MaxSonar-EZ and XL-MaxSonar-AE families of distance sensors.

Small and light: 0.870" x 0.785" x 0.645" (2.2 x 2.0 x 1.6 cm), 0.15 oz (4.3 g)

Long range detection: 0 – 6.45 m (21.2 ft)

No dead zone (detections from 0 to 6" are output as 6")

Resolution of 1" (2.5 cm)

Low typical current consumption: 2 mA

Runs on 2.5 – 5.5 V

42 kHz ultrasonic sensor

20 Hz reading rate

Free-run or triggered operation

Three interfaces (all are active simultaneously):

Serial output: asynchronous, logic-level, inverted, 9600 bps 8N1

Analog output: (Vcc/512) / inch (10 mV/inch when input voltage Vcc = 5 V)

Pulse width output: 147 μs/inch

Serial output: asynchronous, logic-level, inverted, 9600 bps 8N1

Analog output: (Vcc/512) / inch (10 mV/inch when input voltage Vcc = 5 V)

Pulse width output: 147 μs/inch

Since there are 15 members of the XL- and LV-MaxSonar acoustic distance sensor family, we recommend using the Maxbotix sonar range finder selection guide when choosing a acoustic range sensor for your application. There are 5 different beam configurations for the LV-MaxSonar family (EZ0 – EZ4), each pictured below.

LV-MaxSonar-EZ beam patterns (range shown on 1-foot grid to various diameter dowels)

Maxbotix LV-MaxSonar-EZ0 MB1000 beam characteristics:

Maxbotix LV-MaxSonar-EZ1 MB1010 beam characteristics:

Maxbotix LV-MaxSonar-EZ2 MB1020 beam characteristics:

Maxbotix LV-MaxSonar-EZ3 MB1030 beam characteristics:

Maxbotix LV-MaxSonar-EZ4 MB1040 beam characteristics:

People often buy this product together with:

The GP2Y0A60SZ distance sensor from Sharp offers a wide detection range of 4″ to 60″ (10 cm to 150 cm) and a high update rate of 60 Hz. The distance is indicated by an analog voltage, so only a single analog input is required to interface with the module. The sensor ships installed on our compact carrier board, which makes it easy to integrate this great sensor into your project, and is configured for 3V mode.

Pololu Carrier with Sharp GP2Y0A60SZLF Analog Distance Sensor 10-150cm, front view with dimensions.

Sharp’s distance sensors are a popular choice for many projects that require accurate distance measurements. This particular sensor is small and affordable, making it an attractive alternative to sonar rangefinders, while its wide sensing range and resistance to interference from ambient IR set it apart from other IR distance sensors. It consists of a Sharp GP2Y0A60SZLF module installed on our compact carrier board, which includes all of the external components required to make it work and provides a 0.1″ pin spacing that is compatible with standard connectors, solderless breadboards, and perfboards. With an ability to measure distances from as close as four inches to as far as five feet (10 cm to 150 cm), this sensor has the widest range of any of our Sharp distance sensors, and its 60 Hz update rate is more than twice that of Sharp’s older GP2Y0A02YK0F analog distance sensor that has a similar sensing range.

Interfacing to most microcontrollers is straightforward: the single analog output, OUT, can be connected to an analog-to-digital converter for taking distance measurements, or the output can be connected to a comparator for threshold detection. The sensor automatically updates the output approximately every 16 ms. The enable pin, EN, can be driven low to disable the IR emitter and put the sensor into a low-current stand-by mode. This pin is pulled high on the carrier board through a 10 kΩ pull-up resistor to enable the sensor by default.

A 1×4 strip of 0.1″ header pins and a 1×4 strip of 0.1″ right-angle header pins are included, as shown in the picture below. You can solder the header strip of your choice to the board for use with custom cables or solderless breadboards, or you can solder wires directly to the board itself for more compact installations. The board features one 0.125″ mounting hole that works with #4 or M3 screws (not included); if you do not need the mounting hole, you can cut that part of the board off to reduce its size.

The GP2Y0A60SZ supports two operating modes: 5V and 3V. In 5V mode, the recommended operating voltage is 2.7 V to 5.5 V, and the output voltage differential over the full distance range is approximately 3 V, varying from around 3.6 V at 10 cm to 0.6 V at 150 cm. In 3V mode, the recommended operating voltage is 2.7 V to 3.6 V, and the output voltage differential over the full distance range is approximately 1.6 V, varying from around 1.9 V at 10 cm to 0.3 V at 150 cm. The GP2Y0A60SZ datasheet (701k pdf) contains a plot of analog output voltage as a function of the distance for the two modes.

Our GP2Y0A60 carrier board is available configured for 5V mode or configured for 3V mode:

The only difference between the two versions is the presence or absence of a zero ohm resistor as shown in the picture above (the component location is marked by a rectangle on the silkscreen). You can convert a 5V version to 3V by removing the resistor, and you can convert a 3V version to 5V by shorting across the two pads.

Note that the 5V version can be powered all the way down to 2.7 V, and the relationship between the sensor output voltage and distance is mostly independent of the supply voltage. The main drawback to powering the 5V version at a lower voltage is the output voltage will not exceed the supply voltage, so the effective minimum detection distance might increase (i.e. for distances that would result in output voltages above your supply voltage, the output will instead be capped at the supply voltage). On the other hand, if you mostly care about measuring distances closer to the maximum end of the range, you could benefit from the increased output voltage differential of the 5V version even if you are only powering it at 3.3 V.

Operating voltage:

5V version: 2.7 V to 5.5 V

3V version: 2.7 V to 3.6 V

5V version: 2.7 V to 5.5 V

3V version: 2.7 V to 3.6 V

Average current consumption: 33 mA (typical)

Distance measuring range: 10 cm to 150 cm (4″ to 60″)

Output type: analog voltage

Output voltage differential over distance range:

5V version: 3.0 V (typical)

3V version: 1.6 V (typical)

5V version: 3.0 V (typical)

3V version: 1.6 V (typical)

Update period: 16.5 ± 4 ms

Enable pin can optionally be used to disable the emitter and save power

Size without header pins: 33 mm × 10.4 mm × 10.2 mm (1.3″ × 0.41″ × 0.4″)

Weight without header pins: 2.5 g (0.09 oz)

The above schematic shows the additional components the carrier board incorporates to make the GP2Y0A60SZLF easier to use. This schematic is also available as a downloadable pdf (142k pdf).

We carry several other Sharp distance sensors, including the shorter range Sharp GP2Y0A41SK0F analog distance sensor (4 – 30 cm) and Sharp GP2Y0A21YK0F analog distance sensor (10 – 80 cm). With regard to performance, this GP2Y0A60SZ is most similar to the Sharp GP2Y0A02YK0F analog distance sensor (20 – 150 cm), but the GP2Y0A60SZ offers a lower minimum detection distance and more than twice the sampling rate in a much smaller package:

Sharp GP2Y0A02YK0F Sensor 20-150cm (left) next to Pololu Carrier with Sharp GP2Y0A60SZLF Sensor 10-150cm (right).

We also carry three digital Sharp distance sensors that have lower minimum detection distances, quicker response times, lower current draws, and much smaller packages; they are available with a 5 cm, 10 cm, or 15 cm maximum detection distance and simply tell you if something is in their detection range, not how far away it is.

A variety of Sharp distance sensors.

People often buy this product together with:

This small digital distance sensor detects objects between 0.5 cm and 15 cm (0.2″ and 6″) away. With its quick response time, small size, low current draw, and short minimum sensing distance, this sensor is a good choice for non-contact, close-proximity object detection, and our compact carrier PCB makes it easy to integrate into your project.

These sensors are a great way to quickly detect the presence of nearby objects. It consists of a Sharp GP2Y0D805, GP2Y0D810, or GP2Y0D815 sensor module installed on our tiny carrier board for these sensors, which includes all of the external components required to make them work. The available versions offer three different sensing ranges:

Carrier with GP2Y0D805Z0F: 0.5 cm to 5 cm

Carrier with GP2Y0D810Z0F: 2 cm to 10 cm

Carrier with GP2Y0D815Z0F: 0.5 cm to 15 cm

There are a few millimeters of hysteresis around the maximum range threshold and no hysteresis at the minimum range threshold. Note that these sensors will only tell you if there is an object within the detection range along their narrow lines of sight; they will not tell you how far away the object is.

With detection distances up to 150 mm and a typical sampling rate of almost 400 Hz, these sensors provides an attractive alternative to shorter-range LED-phototransistor reflectance pairs and longer-range but slower sensors such as the Sharp GP2Y0A41SK0F analog distance sensor. The output, Vo, is driven low when the sensor detects an object; otherwise, the output is high.

Sharp GP2Y0D805Z0F digital distance sensor 5 cm measuring characteristics.

Sharp GP2Y0D810Z0F digital distance sensor 10 cm measuring characteristics.

Sharp GP2Y0D815Z0F digital distance sensor 15 cm measuring characteristics.

Some example applications include:

break-beam sensor or photogate alternative

non-contact bumper or obstacle detector

a counter or timer of objects as they pass by

The Pololu carrier board lets you interface with the GP2Y0D805, GP2Y0D810, or GP2Y0D815 sensor using a three-pin 0.1″ connector, such as the included 3×1 straight male header strip and 3×1 right-angle male header strip. You can connect to these pins with a servo cable or with a custom-made cable using pre-crimped wires and a 3×1 crimp connector housing.

The square pad is ground, the middle pad is VIN (2.7 – 6.2 V), and the remaining pad is the sensor output, OUT. Depending on your power source, you might notice an increase in performance by placing a large (>10 uF) capacitor between power and ground somewhere near the sensor.

A red LED on the back of the PCB lights when the output is low, indicating that the sensor is detecting something. With the LED in the circuit, the low output signal will be around 1 V. If so desired, you can disable this LED by cutting the trace between it and the OUT pin where it is marked on the silkscreen or by desoldering the LED, in which case the low voltage will be below 0.6 V.

The GP2Y0D805, GP2Y0D810, and GP2Y0D815 have an optional enable input that can be used to put the sensor into low-power mode. The Pololu carrier board connects this input to Vcc so that the sensor is always enabled, but you can solder a wire to the pad labeled “enable” on the back of the PCB if you want control over this input. Note that you will need to cut the trace that connects the enable line to Vcc on the PCB if you want to be able to disable the sensor. This trace is marked on the silkscreen, and there is a caret that indicates where we suggest you make the cut.

The carrier board has a 0.086″ mounting hole for a #2 or M2 screw. You can make the module more compact by cutting or grinding off this portion of the PCB if you do not need the mounting hole.

Operating voltage: 2.7 V to 6.2 V

Average current consumption: 5 mA (typical)

Distance measuring range

GP2Y0D805Z0F: 0.5 cm to 5 cm (0.2″ to 2″)

GP2Y0D810Z0F: 2 cm to 10 cm (0.8″ to 4″)

GP2Y0D815Z0F: 0.5 cm to 5 cm (0.2″ to 6″)

GP2Y0D805Z0F: 0.5 cm to 5 cm (0.2″ to 2″)

GP2Y0D810Z0F: 2 cm to 10 cm (0.8″ to 4″)

GP2Y0D815Z0F: 0.5 cm to 5 cm (0.2″ to 6″)

Output type: digital signal (low when detecting an object, high otherwise)

Steady state update period: 2.56 ms typical (3.77 ms max)

Enable pad can optionally be used to disable the emitter and save power (this feature requires you to cut a trace first)

Size without header pins: 21.6 mm × 8.9 mm × 10.4 mm (0.85″ × 0.35″ × 0.41″)

Weight without header pins: 1.5 g (0.05 oz)

Pololu carrier for Sharp GP2Y0D805Z0F, GP2Y0D810Z0F, and GP2Y0D815Z0F sensors schematic diagram.

We carry several analog Sharp distance sensors as well: the Sharp GP2Y0A51SK0F 2 – 15 cm, the Sharp GP2Y0A41SK0F 4 – 30 cm, the Sharp GP2Y0A21YK0F 10 – 80 cm, and the Sharp GP2Y0A02YK0F 20 – 150 cm. These analog distance sensors have longer minimum detection distances and much slower response times than the GP2Y0D805, GP2Y0D810, and GP2Y0D815, but they can see farther and report the distance to the detected object rather than simply if an object is detected.

A variety of Sharp distance sensors. From left to right: GP2Y0A02, GP2Y0A21 or GP2Y0A41, GP2Y0A51, and GP2Y0D8xx.

We also carry the newer Sharp GP2Y0A60SZ analog distance sensor (10 – 150 cm), which outperforms the other analog Sharp distance sensors in almost all respects, offering a low minimum detection distance, high maximum detection distance, wide 3 V output voltage differential, high 60 Hz sampling rate, operation down to 2.7 V, and optional enable control, all in a smaller package.

Sharp GP2Y0A02YK0F Sensor 20-150cm (left) next to Pololu Carrier with Sharp GP2Y0A60SZLF Sensor 10-150cm (right).

Note: This product comes with the GP2Y0D805Z0F, GP2Y0D810Z0F, or GP2Y0D815Z0F soldered into the carrier PCB. We sell the sensor modules by themselves, and we sell the carrier PCB without the sensor for those who already have the sensor or who want to solder the board together personally.

People often buy this product together with:

This small digital distance sensor detects objects between 0.5 cm and 5 cm (0.2″ and 2″) away. With its quick response time, small size, low current draw, and short minimum sensing distance, this sensor is a good choice for non-contact, close-proximity object detection, and our compact carrier PCB makes it easy to integrate into your project.

These sensors are a great way to quickly detect the presence of nearby objects. It consists of a Sharp GP2Y0D805, GP2Y0D810, or GP2Y0D815 sensor module installed on our tiny carrier board for these sensors, which includes all of the external components required to make them work. The available versions offer three different sensing ranges:

Carrier with GP2Y0D805Z0F: 0.5 cm to 5 cm

Carrier with GP2Y0D810Z0F: 2 cm to 10 cm

Carrier with GP2Y0D815Z0F: 0.5 cm to 15 cm

There are a few millimeters of hysteresis around the maximum range threshold and no hysteresis at the minimum range threshold. Note that these sensors will only tell you if there is an object within the detection range along their narrow lines of sight; they will not tell you how far away the object is.

With detection distances up to 150 mm and a typical sampling rate of almost 400 Hz, these sensors provides an attractive alternative to shorter-range LED-phototransistor reflectance pairs and longer-range but slower sensors such as the Sharp GP2Y0A41SK0F analog distance sensor. The output, Vo, is driven low when the sensor detects an object; otherwise, the output is high.

Sharp GP2Y0D805Z0F digital distance sensor 5 cm measuring characteristics.

Sharp GP2Y0D810Z0F digital distance sensor 10 cm measuring characteristics.

Sharp GP2Y0D815Z0F digital distance sensor 15 cm measuring characteristics.

Some example applications include:

break-beam sensor or photogate alternative

non-contact bumper or obstacle detector

a counter or timer of objects as they pass by

The Pololu carrier board lets you interface with the GP2Y0D805, GP2Y0D810, or GP2Y0D815 sensor using a three-pin 0.1″ connector, such as the included 3×1 straight male header strip and 3×1 right-angle male header strip. You can connect to these pins with a servo cable or with a custom-made cable using pre-crimped wires and a 3×1 crimp connector housing.

The square pad is ground, the middle pad is VIN (2.7 – 6.2 V), and the remaining pad is the sensor output, OUT. Depending on your power source, you might notice an increase in performance by placing a large (>10 uF) capacitor between power and ground somewhere near the sensor.

A red LED on the back of the PCB lights when the output is low, indicating that the sensor is detecting something. With the LED in the circuit, the low output signal will be around 1 V. If so desired, you can disable this LED by cutting the trace between it and the OUT pin where it is marked on the silkscreen or by desoldering the LED, in which case the low voltage will be below 0.6 V.

The GP2Y0D805, GP2Y0D810, and GP2Y0D815 have an optional enable input that can be used to put the sensor into low-power mode. The Pololu carrier board connects this input to Vcc so that the sensor is always enabled, but you can solder a wire to the pad labeled “enable” on the back of the PCB if you want control over this input. Note that you will need to cut the trace that connects the enable line to Vcc on the PCB if you want to be able to disable the sensor. This trace is marked on the silkscreen, and there is a caret that indicates where we suggest you make the cut.

The carrier board has a 0.086″ mounting hole for a #2 or M2 screw. You can make the module more compact by cutting or grinding off this portion of the PCB if you do not need the mounting hole.

Operating voltage: 2.7 V to 6.2 V

Average current consumption: 5 mA (typical)

Distance measuring range

GP2Y0D805Z0F: 0.5 cm to 5 cm (0.2″ to 2″)

GP2Y0D810Z0F: 2 cm to 10 cm (0.8″ to 4″)

GP2Y0D815Z0F: 0.5 cm to 5 cm (0.2″ to 6″)

GP2Y0D805Z0F: 0.5 cm to 5 cm (0.2″ to 2″)

GP2Y0D810Z0F: 2 cm to 10 cm (0.8″ to 4″)

GP2Y0D815Z0F: 0.5 cm to 5 cm (0.2″ to 6″)

Output type: digital signal (low when detecting an object, high otherwise)

Steady state update period: 2.56 ms typical (3.77 ms max)

Enable pad can optionally be used to disable the emitter and save power (this feature requires you to cut a trace first)

Size without header pins: 21.6 mm × 8.9 mm × 10.4 mm (0.85″ × 0.35″ × 0.41″)

Weight without header pins: 1.5 g (0.05 oz)

Pololu carrier for Sharp GP2Y0D805Z0F, GP2Y0D810Z0F, and GP2Y0D815Z0F sensors schematic diagram.

We carry several analog Sharp distance sensors as well: the Sharp GP2Y0A51SK0F 2 – 15 cm, the Sharp GP2Y0A41SK0F 4 – 30 cm, the Sharp GP2Y0A21YK0F 10 – 80 cm, and the Sharp GP2Y0A02YK0F 20 – 150 cm. These analog distance sensors have longer minimum detection distances and much slower response times than the GP2Y0D805, GP2Y0D810, and GP2Y0D815, but they can see farther and report the distance to the detected object rather than simply if an object is detected.

A variety of Sharp distance sensors. From left to right: GP2Y0A02, GP2Y0A21 or GP2Y0A41, GP2Y0A51, and GP2Y0D8xx.

We also carry the newer Sharp GP2Y0A60SZ analog distance sensor (10 – 150 cm), which outperforms the other analog Sharp distance sensors in almost all respects, offering a low minimum detection distance, high maximum detection distance, wide 3 V output voltage differential, high 60 Hz sampling rate, operation down to 2.7 V, and optional enable control, all in a smaller package.

Sharp GP2Y0A02YK0F Sensor 20-150cm (left) next to Pololu Carrier with Sharp GP2Y0A60SZLF Sensor 10-150cm (right).

Note: This product comes with the GP2Y0D805Z0F, GP2Y0D810Z0F, or GP2Y0D815Z0F soldered into the carrier PCB. We sell the sensor modules by themselves, and we sell the carrier PCB without the sensor for those who already have the sensor or who want to solder the board together personally.

People often buy this product together with:

This small digital distance sensor detects objects between 2 cm and 10 cm (0.8″ and 4″) away. With its quick response time, small size, and low current draw, this sensor is a good choice for non-contact object detection, and our compact carrier PCB makes it easy to integrate into your project.

These sensors are a great way to quickly detect the presence of nearby objects. It consists of a Sharp GP2Y0D805, GP2Y0D810, or GP2Y0D815 sensor module installed on our tiny carrier board for these sensors, which includes all of the external components required to make them work. The available versions offer three different sensing ranges:

Carrier with GP2Y0D805Z0F: 0.5 cm to 5 cm

Carrier with GP2Y0D810Z0F: 2 cm to 10 cm

Carrier with GP2Y0D815Z0F: 0.5 cm to 15 cm

There are a few millimeters of hysteresis around the maximum range threshold and no hysteresis at the minimum range threshold. Note that these sensors will only tell you if there is an object within the detection range along their narrow lines of sight; they will not tell you how far away the object is.

With detection distances up to 150 mm and a typical sampling rate of almost 400 Hz, these sensors provides an attractive alternative to shorter-range LED-phototransistor reflectance pairs and longer-range but slower sensors such as the Sharp GP2Y0A41SK0F analog distance sensor. The output, Vo, is driven low when the sensor detects an object; otherwise, the output is high.

Sharp GP2Y0D805Z0F digital distance sensor 5 cm measuring characteristics.

Sharp GP2Y0D810Z0F digital distance sensor 10 cm measuring characteristics.

Sharp GP2Y0D815Z0F digital distance sensor 15 cm measuring characteristics.

Some example applications include:

break-beam sensor or photogate alternative

non-contact bumper or obstacle detector

a counter or timer of objects as they pass by

The Pololu carrier board lets you interface with the GP2Y0D805, GP2Y0D810, or GP2Y0D815 sensor using a three-pin 0.1″ connector, such as the included 3×1 straight male header strip and 3×1 right-angle male header strip. You can connect to these pins with a servo cable or with a custom-made cable using pre-crimped wires and a 3×1 crimp connector housing.

The square pad is ground, the middle pad is VIN (2.7 – 6.2 V), and the remaining pad is the sensor output, OUT. Depending on your power source, you might notice an increase in performance by placing a large (>10 uF) capacitor between power and ground somewhere near the sensor.

A red LED on the back of the PCB lights when the output is low, indicating that the sensor is detecting something. With the LED in the circuit, the low output signal will be around 1 V. If so desired, you can disable this LED by cutting the trace between it and the OUT pin where it is marked on the silkscreen or by desoldering the LED, in which case the low voltage will be below 0.6 V.

The GP2Y0D805, GP2Y0D810, and GP2Y0D815 have an optional enable input that can be used to put the sensor into low-power mode. The Pololu carrier board connects this input to Vcc so that the sensor is always enabled, but you can solder a wire to the pad labeled “enable” on the back of the PCB if you want control over this input. Note that you will need to cut the trace that connects the enable line to Vcc on the PCB if you want to be able to disable the sensor. This trace is marked on the silkscreen, and there is a caret that indicates where we suggest you make the cut.

The carrier board has a 0.086″ mounting hole for a #2 or M2 screw. You can make the module more compact by cutting or grinding off this portion of the PCB if you do not need the mounting hole.

Operating voltage: 2.7 V to 6.2 V

Average current consumption: 5 mA (typical)

Distance measuring range

GP2Y0D805Z0F: 0.5 cm to 5 cm (0.2″ to 2″)

GP2Y0D810Z0F: 2 cm to 10 cm (0.8″ to 4″)

GP2Y0D815Z0F: 0.5 cm to 5 cm (0.2″ to 6″)

GP2Y0D805Z0F: 0.5 cm to 5 cm (0.2″ to 2″)

GP2Y0D810Z0F: 2 cm to 10 cm (0.8″ to 4″)

GP2Y0D815Z0F: 0.5 cm to 5 cm (0.2″ to 6″)

Output type: digital signal (low when detecting an object, high otherwise)

Steady state update period: 2.56 ms typical (3.77 ms max)

Enable pad can optionally be used to disable the emitter and save power (this feature requires you to cut a trace first)

Size without header pins: 21.6 mm × 8.9 mm × 10.4 mm (0.85″ × 0.35″ × 0.41″)

Weight without header pins: 1.5 g (0.05 oz)

Pololu carrier for Sharp GP2Y0D805Z0F, GP2Y0D810Z0F, and GP2Y0D815Z0F sensors schematic diagram.

We carry several analog Sharp distance sensors as well: the Sharp GP2Y0A51SK0F 2 – 15 cm, the Sharp GP2Y0A41SK0F 4 – 30 cm, the Sharp GP2Y0A21YK0F 10 – 80 cm, and the Sharp GP2Y0A02YK0F 20 – 150 cm. These analog distance sensors have longer minimum detection distances and much slower response times than the GP2Y0D805, GP2Y0D810, and GP2Y0D815, but they can see farther and report the distance to the detected object rather than simply if an object is detected.

A variety of Sharp distance sensors. From left to right: GP2Y0A02, GP2Y0A21 or GP2Y0A41, GP2Y0A51, and GP2Y0D8xx.

We also carry the newer Sharp GP2Y0A60SZ analog distance sensor (10 – 150 cm), which outperforms the other analog Sharp distance sensors in almost all respects, offering a low minimum detection distance, high maximum detection distance, wide 3 V output voltage differential, high 60 Hz sampling rate, operation down to 2.7 V, and optional enable control, all in a smaller package.

Sharp GP2Y0A02YK0F Sensor 20-150cm (left) next to Pololu Carrier with Sharp GP2Y0A60SZLF Sensor 10-150cm (right).

Note: This product comes with the GP2Y0D805Z0F, GP2Y0D810Z0F, or GP2Y0D815Z0F soldered into the carrier PCB. We sell the sensor modules by themselves, and we sell the carrier PCB without the sensor for those who already have the sensor or who want to solder the board together personally.

People often buy this product together with:

The GP2Y0A60SZ distance sensor from Sharp offers a wide detection range of 4″ to 60″ (10 cm to 150 cm) and a high update rate of 60 Hz. The distance is indicated by an analog voltage, so only a single analog input is required to interface with the module. The sensor ships installed on our compact carrier board, which makes it easy to integrate this great sensor into your project, and is configured for 5V mode.

Pololu Carrier with Sharp GP2Y0A60SZLF Analog Distance Sensor 10-150cm, front view with dimensions.

Sharp’s distance sensors are a popular choice for many projects that require accurate distance measurements. This particular sensor is small and affordable, making it an attractive alternative to sonar rangefinders, while its wide sensing range and resistance to interference from ambient IR set it apart from other IR distance sensors. It consists of a Sharp GP2Y0A60SZLF module installed on our compact carrier board, which includes all of the external components required to make it work and provides a 0.1″ pin spacing that is compatible with standard connectors, solderless breadboards, and perfboards. With an ability to measure distances from as close as four inches to as far as five feet (10 cm to 150 cm), this sensor has the widest range of any of our Sharp distance sensors, and its 60 Hz update rate is more than twice that of Sharp’s older GP2Y0A02YK0F analog distance sensor that has a similar sensing range.

Interfacing to most microcontrollers is straightforward: the single analog output, OUT, can be connected to an analog-to-digital converter for taking distance measurements, or the output can be connected to a comparator for threshold detection. The sensor automatically updates the output approximately every 16 ms. The enable pin, EN, can be driven low to disable the IR emitter and put the sensor into a low-current stand-by mode. This pin is pulled high on the carrier board through a 10 kΩ pull-up resistor to enable the sensor by default.

A 1×4 strip of 0.1″ header pins and a 1×4 strip of 0.1″ right-angle header pins are included, as shown in the picture below. You can solder the header strip of your choice to the board for use with custom cables or solderless breadboards, or you can solder wires directly to the board itself for more compact installations. The board features one 0.125″ mounting hole that works with #4 or M3 screws (not included); if you do not need the mounting hole, you can cut that part of the board off to reduce its size.

The GP2Y0A60SZ supports two operating modes: 5V and 3V. In 5V mode, the recommended operating voltage is 2.7 V to 5.5 V, and the output voltage differential over the full distance range is approximately 3 V, varying from around 3.6 V at 10 cm to 0.6 V at 150 cm. In 3V mode, the recommended operating voltage is 2.7 V to 3.6 V, and the output voltage differential over the full distance range is approximately 1.6 V, varying from around 1.9 V at 10 cm to 0.3 V at 150 cm. The GP2Y0A60SZ datasheet (701k pdf) contains a plot of analog output voltage as a function of the distance for the two modes.

Our GP2Y0A60 carrier board is available configured for 5V mode or configured for 3V mode:

The only difference between the two versions is the presence or absence of a zero ohm resistor as shown in the picture above (the component location is marked by a rectangle on the silkscreen). You can convert a 5V version to 3V by removing the resistor, and you can convert a 3V version to 5V by shorting across the two pads.

Note that the 5V version can be powered all the way down to 2.7 V, and the relationship between the sensor output voltage and distance is mostly independent of the supply voltage. The main drawback to powering the 5V version at a lower voltage is the output voltage will not exceed the supply voltage, so the effective minimum detection distance might increase (i.e. for distances that would result in output voltages above your supply voltage, the output will instead be capped at the supply voltage). On the other hand, if you mostly care about measuring distances closer to the maximum end of the range, you could benefit from the increased output voltage differential of the 5V version even if you are only powering it at 3.3 V.

Operating voltage:

5V version: 2.7 V to 5.5 V

3V version: 2.7 V to 3.6 V

5V version: 2.7 V to 5.5 V

3V version: 2.7 V to 3.6 V

Average current consumption: 33 mA (typical)

Distance measuring range: 10 cm to 150 cm (4″ to 60″)

Output type: analog voltage

Output voltage differential over distance range:

5V version: 3.0 V (typical)

3V version: 1.6 V (typical)

5V version: 3.0 V (typical)

3V version: 1.6 V (typical)

Update period: 16.5 ± 4 ms

Enable pin can optionally be used to disable the emitter and save power

Size without header pins: 33 mm × 10.4 mm × 10.2 mm (1.3″ × 0.41″ × 0.4″)

Weight without header pins: 2.5 g (0.09 oz)

The above schematic shows the additional components the carrier board incorporates to make the GP2Y0A60SZLF easier to use. This schematic is also available as a downloadable pdf (142k pdf).

We carry several other Sharp distance sensors, including the shorter range Sharp GP2Y0A41SK0F analog distance sensor (4 – 30 cm) and Sharp GP2Y0A21YK0F analog distance sensor (10 – 80 cm). With regard to performance, this GP2Y0A60SZ is most similar to the Sharp GP2Y0A02YK0F analog distance sensor (20 – 150 cm), but the GP2Y0A60SZ offers a lower minimum detection distance and more than twice the sampling rate in a much smaller package:

Sharp GP2Y0A02YK0F Sensor 20-150cm (left) next to Pololu Carrier with Sharp GP2Y0A60SZLF Sensor 10-150cm (right).

We also carry three digital Sharp distance sensors that have lower minimum detection distances, quicker response times, lower current draws, and much smaller packages; they are available with a 5 cm, 10 cm, or 15 cm maximum detection distance and simply tell you if something is in their detection range, not how far away it is.

A variety of Sharp distance sensors.

People often buy this product together with:

This sensor is a carrier/breakout board for ST’s VL53L0X laser-ranging sensor, which measures the range to a target object up to 2 m away. The VL53L0X uses time-of-flight measurements of infrared pulses for ranging, allowing it to give accurate results independent of the target’s color and surface. Distance measurements can be read through a digital I²C interface. The board has a 2.8 V linear regulator and integrated level-shifters that allow it to work over an input voltage range of 2.6 V to 5.5 V, and the 0.1″ pin spacing makes it easy to use with standard solderless breadboards and 0.1″ perfboards.

The VL53L0X from ST Microelectronics is a time-of-flight ranging system integrated into a compact module. This board is a carrier for the VL53L0X, so we recommend careful reading of the VL53L0X datasheet (1MB pdf) before using this product.

The VL53L0 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 be reflected back to a detector, so 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 greatly 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 ±3% at best to over ±10% in less optimal conditions.)

Ranging measurements are available through the sensor’s I²C (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 typical student or 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.

The carrier board includes a low-dropout linear voltage regulator that provides the 2.8 V required by the VL53L0X, which allows the sensor to be powered from a 2.6 V to 5.5 V supply. The regulator output is available on the VDD pin and can supply almost 150 mA to external devices. The breakout board also includes a circuit that shifts the I²C clock and data lines to the same logic voltage level as the supplied VIN, making it simple to interface the board with 3.3 V or 5 V systems, and the board’s 0.1″ pin spacing makes it easy to use with standard solderless breadboards and 0.1″ perfboards. The board ships fully populated with its SMD components, including the VL53L0X, as shown in the product picture.

For for similar alternatives to this sensor, see our shorter-range 60 cm VL6180X carrier and longer-range 400 cm VL53L1X carrier. Both of these are physical drop-in replacements for the VL53L0X carrier, but they have different APIs, so software for the VL53L0X will need to be rewritten to work with the VL6180X or VL53L1X.

VL53L0X datasheet graph of typical ranging performance (in default mode).

Specifications

Dimensions: 0.5″ × 0.7″ × 0.085″ (13 mm × 18 mm × 2 mm)

Weight without header pins: 0.5 g (0.02 oz)

Operating voltage: 2.6 V to 5.5 V

Supply current: 10 mA (typical average during active ranging)

Varies with configuration, target, and environment. Peak current can reach 40 mA.

Varies with configuration, target, and environment. Peak current can reach 40 mA.

Output format (I²C): 16-bit distance reading (in millimeters)

Distance measuring range: up to 2 m (6.6 ft); see the graph at the right for typical ranging performance.

Effective range depends on configuration, target, and environment.

The datasheet does not specify a minimum range, but in our experience, the effective limit is about 3 cm.

Effective range depends on configuration, target, and environment.

The datasheet does not specify a minimum range, but in our experience, the effective limit is about 3 cm.

Included components

A 1×7 strip of 0.1″ header pins and a 1×7 strip of 0.1″ right-angle header pins are included, as shown in the picture below. You can solder the header strip of your choice to the board for use with custom cables or solderless breadboards, or you can solder wires directly to the board itself for more compact installations.

VL53L0X Time-of-Flight Distance Sensor Carrier with included header pins.

VL53L0X Time-of-Flight Distance Sensor Carrier in a breadboard.

The board has two mounting holes spaced 0.5″ apart that work with #2 and M2 screws (not included).

Important note: This product might ship with a protective liner covering the sensor IC. The liner must be removed for proper sensing performance.

Connections

At least four connections are necessary to use the VL53L0X board: VIN, GND, SCL, and SDA. The VIN pin should be connected to a 2.6 V to 5.5 V source, and GND should be connected to 0 volts. An on-board linear voltage regulator converts VIN to a 2.8 V supply for the VL53L0X IC.

The I²C pins, SCL and SDA, are connected to built-in level-shifters that make them safe to use at voltages over 2.8 V; they should be connected to an I²C bus operating at the same logic level as VIN.

The XSHUT pin is an input and the GPIO1 pin is an open-drain output; both pins are pulled up to 2.8 V by the board. They are not connected to level-shifters on the board and are not 5V-tolerant, but they are usable as-is with many 3.3 V and 5 V microcontrollers: the microcontroller can read the GPIO1 output as long as its logic high threshold is below 2.8 V, and the microcontroller can alternate its own output between low and high-impedance states to drive the XSHUT pin. Alternatively, our 4-channel bidirectional logic level shifter can be used externally with those pins.

Pinout

Schematic diagram

The above schematic shows the additional components the carrier board incorporates to make the VL53L0 easier to use, including the voltage regulator that allows the board to be powered from a 2.6 V to 5.5 V supply and the level-shifter circuit that allows for I²C communication at the same logic voltage level as VIN. This schematic is also available as a downloadable PDF (110k pdf).

I²C communication

The VL53L0X can be configured and its distance readings can be queried through the I²C bus. Level shifters on the I²C clock (SCL) and data (SDA) lines enable I²C communication with microcontrollers operating at the same voltage as VIN (2.6 V to 5.5 V). A detailed explanation of the I²C interface on the VL53L0X can be found in its datasheet (1MB pdf), and more detailed information about I²C in general can be found in NXP’s I²C-bus specification (1MB pdf).

The sensor’s 7-bit slave address defaults to 0101001b on power-up. It can be changed to any other value by writing one of the device configuration registers, but the new address only applies until the sensor is reset or powered off. ST provides an application note (196k pdf) that describes how to use multiple VL53L0X sensors on the same I²C bus by individually bringing each sensor out of reset and assigning it a unique address.

The I²C interface on the VL53L0X is compliant with the I²C fast mode (400 kHz) standard. In our tests of the board, we were able to communicate with the chip at clock frequencies up to 400 kHz; higher frequencies might work but were not tested.

Sensor configuration and control

In contrast with the information available for many other devices, ST has not publicly released a register map and descriptions or other documentation about configuring and controlling the VL53L0X. Instead, communication with the sensor is intended to be done through ST’s VL53L0X API (STSW-IMG005), a set of C functions that take care of the low-level interfacing. To use the VL53L0X, you can customize the API to run on a host platform of your choice using the information in the API documentation. Alternatively, it is possible to use the API source code as a guide for your own implementation.

Sample Code

We have written a basic Arduino library for the VL53L0X, which can be used as an alternative to ST’s official API for interfacing this sensor with an Arduino or Arduino-compatible controller. The library makes it simple to configure the VL53L0X and read the distance data through I²C. It also includes example sketches that show you how to use the library.

People often buy this product together with:

This sensor is a carrier/breakout board for ST’s VL6180X proximity and ambient light sensor, which measures the range to a target object up to 20 cm away (or 60 cm with reduced resolution). The VL6180X uses time-of-flight measurements of infrared pulses for ranging, allowing it to give accurate results independent of the target’s color and surface. Distance and ambient light level measurements can be read through a digital I²C interface. The board has a 2.8 V linear regulator and integrated level-shifters that allow it to work over an input voltage range of 2.7 V to 5.5 V, and the 0.1″ pin spacing makes it easy to use with standard solderless breadboards and 0.1″ perfboards.

The VL6180X from ST Microelectronics is a sensor that combines proximity ranging and ambient light level measurement capabilities into a single package. This board is a carrier for the VL6180X, so we recommend careful reading of the VL6180X datasheet (2MB pdf) before using this product.

Unlike simpler optical sensors that use the intensity of reflected light to detect objects, the VL6180 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 be reflected back to a detector, making it essentially a short-range lidar sensor. This time-of-flight (TOF) measurement enables it to accurately determine the absolute distance to a target with 1 mm resolution, without the object’s reflectance influencing the measurement. The sensor is rated to perform ranging measurements of up to 10 cm (4″), but it can often provide readings up to 20 cm (8″) with its default settings. Furthermore, the VL6180X can be configured to measure ranges of up to 60 cm (24″) at the cost of reduced resolution, although successful ranging at these longer distances will depend heavily on the target and environment. (For more information, see “Range scaling factor” below.)

The VL6180 also includes an ambient light sensor, or ALS, that can measure the intensity of light with which it is illuminated. Ranging and ambient light measurements are available through the sensor’s I²C (TWI) interface, which is also used to configure sensor settings, and two independently-programmable GPIO pins can be configured as interrupt outputs.

The VL6180X is a great IC, but its small, leadless, LGA package makes it difficult for the typical student or hobbyist to use. It also operates at voltages below 3 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.

The carrier board includes a low-dropout linear voltage regulator that provides the 2.8 V required by the VL6180X, which allows the sensor to be powered from a 2.7 V to 5.5 V supply. The regulator output is available on the VDD pin and can supply almost 150 mA to external devices. The breakout board also includes a circuit that shifts the I²C clock and data lines to the same logic voltage level as the supplied VIN, making it simple to interface the board with 3.3 V or 5 V systems, and the board’s 0.1″ pin spacing makes it easy to use with standard solderless breadboards and 0.1″ perfboards. The board ships fully populated with its SMD components, including the VL6180X, as shown in the product picture.

For for similar, longer-range sensors, see our 200 cm VL53L0X carrier and 400 cm VL53L1X carrier. Both of these are physical drop-in replacements for the VL6180X carrier, but they have different APIs, so software for the VL6180X will need to be rewritten to work with the VL53L0X or VL53L1X.

VL6180X datasheet graph of typical ranging performance.

Specifications

Dimensions: 0.5″ × 0.7″ × 0.085″ (13 mm × 18 mm × 2 mm)

Weight without header pins: 0.5 g (0.02 oz)

Operating voltage: 2.7 V to 5.5 V

Supply current: 5 mA (typical; varies with configuration, target, and environment)

Output format (I²C): 8-bit distance reading (in millimeters), 16-bit ambient light reading

Distance measuring range: up to 10 cm (4″) specified; up to 60 cm (24″) possible with reduced resolution. See the graph at the right for typical ranging performance.

Ranging beyond 10 cm is possible with certain target reflectances and ambient conditions but not guaranteed by specifications. By default, the sensor can report distances up to 20 cm, or it can be configured to measure up to 60 cm with reduced resolution.

The datasheet does not specify a minimum range, but in our experience, the effective limit is about 1 cm.

Ranging beyond 10 cm is possible with certain target reflectances and ambient conditions but not guaranteed by specifications. By default, the sensor can report distances up to 20 cm, or it can be configured to measure up to 60 cm with reduced resolution.

The datasheet does not specify a minimum range, but in our experience, the effective limit is about 1 cm.

Included components

A 1×7 strip of 0.1″ header pins and a 1×7 strip of 0.1″ right-angle header pins are included, as shown in the picture below. You can solder the header strip of your choice to the board for use with custom cables or solderless breadboards, or you can solder wires directly to the board itself for more compact installations.

VL6180X Time-of-Flight Distance Sensor Carrier with included header pins.

VL6180X Time-of-Flight Distance Sensor Carrier in a breadboard.

The board has two mounting holes spaced 0.5″ apart that work with #2 and M2 screws (not included).

Connections

At least four connections are necessary to use the VL6180X board: VIN, GND, SCL, and SDA. The VIN pin should be connected to a 2.7 V to 5.5 V source, and GND should be connected to 0 volts. An on-board linear voltage regulator converts VIN to a 2.8 V supply for the VL6180X IC.

The I²C pins, SCL and SDA, are connected to built-in level-shifters that make them safe to use at voltages over 2.8 V; they should be connected to an I²C bus operating at the same logic level as VIN.

The two GPIO pins are open-drain outputs pulled up to 2.8 V by the board (although GPIO0 defaults to being a chip enable input). They are not connected to level-shifters on the board and are not 5V-tolerant, but they are usable as-is with many 3.3 V and 5 V microcontrollers: the microcontroller can read the sensor’s output as long as its logic high threshold is below 2.8 V, and the microcontroller can alternate its own output between low and high-impedance states to drive the pin. Alternatively, our 4-channel bidirectional logic level shifter can be used externally with those pins.

Pinout

Schematic diagram

The above schematic shows the additional components the carrier board incorporates to make the VL6180 easier to use, including the voltage regulator that allows the board to be powered from a 2.7 V to 5.5 V supply and the level-shifter circuit that allows for I²C communication at the same logic voltage level as VIN. This schematic is also available as a downloadable PDF (90k pdf).

I²C communication

The VL6180X can be configured and its distance and ambient light readings can be queried through the I²C bus. Level shifters on the I²C clock (SCL) and data (SDA) lines enable I²C communication with microcontrollers operating at the same voltage as VIN (2.7 V to 5.5 V). A detailed explanation of the I²C interface on the VL6180X can be found in its datasheet (2MB pdf), and more detailed information about I²C in general can be found in NXP’s I²C-bus specification (1MB pdf).

The sensor’s 7-bit slave address defaults to 0101001b on power-up. It can be changed to any other value by writing one of the device configuration registers, but the new address only applies until the sensor is reset or powered off.

The I²C interface on the VL6180X is compliant with the I²C fast mode (400 kHz) standard. In our tests of the board, we were able to communicate with the chip at clock frequencies up to 400 kHz; higher frequencies might work but were not tested.

Sample Code

We have written a basic Arduino library for the VL6180X that makes it easy to interface this sensor with an Arduino or Arduino-compatible controller. The library makes it simple to configure the VL6180X and read the distance and ambient light level data through I²C. It also includes example sketches that show you how to use the library.

Protocol hints

The datasheet provides a lot of information about this sensor, but a lot of essential info – including a mandatory initialization sequence – can only be found in other documents. Picking out the important details can take some time. Here are some pointers for communicating with and configuring the VL6180X that we hope will get you up and running a little bit faster:

Unlike many other I²C sensors from ST, which use 8-bit register addresses, the VL6180X uses 16-bit register addresses.

The sensor must be initialized with a particular sequence of settings on power-up or reset. This sequence is not covered in the datasheet, but it can be found in ST application note AN4545 (706k pdf) and design tip DT0037 (386k pdf). (Our Arduino library includes a function that performs this initialization.)

The two documents above can also help you understand basic procedures for configuring the VL6180X and getting readings from it. Additional documents, providing details on many other aspects of the VL6180X, can be found on ST’s product page for the VL6180X.

Both distance and ambient light measurements can be performed in either single-shot or continuous mode. In either mode, once each measurement is started, you must poll a status register to wait for it to complete. In continuous mode, you should ensure that the inter-measurement period you select is longer than the time it takes to actually perform each measurement.

Range scaling factor

Although the VL6180X specifications state a maximum “guaranteed” range of 10 cm, the sensor can report distances of up to 20 cm with its default settings. By configuring a range scaling factor, the potential maximum range of the sensor can be increased at the cost of lower resolution. Setting the scaling factor to 2 provides up to 40 cm range with 2 mm resolution, while a scaling factor of 3 provides up to 60 cm range with 3 mm resolution. In all cases, the reading is given as a number between 0 and 200; with the default 1× scaling, this corresponds directly to a distance in mm, but with 2× or 3× scaling, the raw reading will represent a measurement in units of 2 mm or 3 mm, respectively (so the reading should be multiplied by 2 or 3 to obtain a result in millimeters).

Range scaling is not mentioned in the VL6180X datasheet as of Rev 7, but it is available in the VL6180X API provided by ST (STSW-IMG003). Our Arduino library also provides functions to set the range scaling factor.

People often buy this product together with:

This sensor is a carrier/breakout board for ST’s VL53L1X laser-ranging sensor, which offers fast and accurate ranging up to 4 m. It uses the time of flight (ToF) of invisible, eye-safe laser pulses to measure absolute distances independent of ambient lighting conditions and target characteristics like color, shape, and texture (though these things will affect the maximum range). The VL53L1X also features a programmable region of interest (ROI), so the full field of view can be reduced or divided into multiple zones. Distance measurements can be read through a digital I²C interface. The board includes a 2.8 V linear regulator and level-shifters that allow it to work over an input voltage range of 2.6 V to 5.5 V, and the 0.1″ pin spacing makes it easy to use with standard solderless breadboards and 0.1″ perfboards.

The VL53L1X from ST Microelectronics is a long-distance ranging time-of-flight (TOF) sensor integrated into a compact module. This board is a carrier for the VL53L1X, so we recommend careful reading of the VL53L1X datasheet (1MB pdf) before using this product.

The VL53L1X is effectively a tiny, self-contained lidar system featuring an integrated 940 nm Class 1 laser, which is invisible and eye-safe. Unlike conventional IR sensors that use the intensity of reflected light to estimate the distance to an object, the VL53L1X 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 be reflected back to a detector. This approach ensures absolute distance measurements independent of ambient lighting conditions and target characteristics (e.g. color, shape, texture, and reflectivity), though these external conditions do affect the maximum range of the sensor, as do the sensor configuration settings.

Under favorable conditions, such as low ambient light with a high-reflectivity target, the sensor can report distances up to 4 m (13 ft) with 1 mm resolution. See the datasheet for more information on how various external conditions and sensor configurations affect things like maximum range, repeatability, and ranging error. The minimum ranging distance is 4 cm; inside of this range, the sensor will still detect a target, but the measurement will not be accurate. Ranging measurements are available through the sensor’s I²C (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 VL53L1X offers three distance modes: short, medium, and long. Long distance mode allows the longest possible ranging distance of 4 m, but the maximum range is significantly affected by ambient light. Short distance mode is mostly immune to ambient light, but the maximum ranging distance is typically limited to 1.3 m (4.4 ft). The maximum sampling rate in short distance mode is 50 Hz while the maximum sampling rate for medium and long distance modes is 30 Hz. Performance can be improved in all modes by using lower sampling rates and longer timing budgets (as can be seen in the figure above).

For advanced applications, the VL53L1X supports configurable thresholds that can be used to trigger interrupts when a target is detected below a certain distance, beyond a certain distance, outside of a range, or within a range. It also supports an alternate detection mode that generates an interrupt when no target is present. Additionally, unlike its predecessors, the VL53L1X supports a configurable region of interest (ROI) within its full 16×16 sensing array, allowing you to reduce the field of view (FoV). With all 265 detection elements enabled, the FoV is 27°. An “Autonomous Low Power” mode that is specially tuned for advanced presence detection is available. This mode allows for significant system power saving by switching off or waking up the host automatically when a human or object is detected within the configured distance thresholds in the region of interest.

The VL53L1X is a great IC, but its small, leadless, LGA package makes it difficult for the typical student or 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.

The carrier board includes a low-dropout linear voltage regulator that provides the 2.8 V required by the VL53L1X and allows the sensor to be powered from a 2.6 V to 5.5 V supply. The regulator output is available on the VDD pin and can supply almost 150 mA to external devices. The breakout board also includes a circuit that shifts the I²C clock and data lines to the same logic voltage level as the supplied VIN, making it simple to interface the board with 3.3 V or 5 V systems, and the board’s 0.1″ pin spacing makes it easy to use with standard solderless breadboards and 0.1″ perfboards. The board ships fully populated with its SMD components, including the VL53L1X, as shown in the product picture.

For for similar but shorter-range sensors, see our 200 cm VL53L0X carrier and 60 cm VL6180X carrier. Both of these are physical drop-in replacements for the VL53L1X carrier, but they have different APIs, so software for the VL53L1X will need to be rewritten to work with the VL53L0X or VL6180X.

Features and specifications

Dimensions: 0.5″ × 0.7″ × 0.085″ (13 mm × 18 mm × 2 mm)

Weight without header pins: 0.5 g (0.02 oz)

Operating voltage: 2.6 V to 5.5 V

Supply current: ~15 mA (typical average during active ranging at max sampling rate)

Varies with configuration, target, and environment; peak current can reach 40 mA

Varies with configuration, target, and environment; peak current can reach 40 mA

Fast and accurate ranging with three distance mode options:

Short: up to ~130 cm, 50 Hz max sampling rate; this mode is the most immune to interference from ambient light

Medium: up to ~300 cm in the dark, 30 Hz max sampling rate

Long: up to 400 cm in the dark, 30 Hz max sampling rate

Short: up to ~130 cm, 50 Hz max sampling rate; this mode is the most immune to interference from ambient light

Medium: up to ~300 cm in the dark, 30 Hz max sampling rate

Long: up to 400 cm in the dark, 30 Hz max sampling rate

Minimum range: 4 cm (objects under this range are detected, but measurements are not accurate)

Emitter: 940 nm invisible Class 1 VCSEL (vertical cavity surface-emitting laser) – eye-safe

Detector: 16×16 SPAD (single photon avalanche diode) receiving array with integrated lens

Typical full field of view (FoV): 27°

Programmable region of interest (ROI) size on the receiving array, allowing the sensor FoV to be reduced

Programmable ROI position on the receiving array, allowing multizone operation control from the host

Typical full field of view (FoV): 27°

Programmable region of interest (ROI) size on the receiving array, allowing the sensor FoV to be reduced

Programmable ROI position on the receiving array, allowing multizone operation control from the host

Configurable detection interrupt thresholds for implementing autonomous low-power presence detection:

target closer than threshold

target farther than threshold

target within distance window

target outside of distance window

no target

target closer than threshold

target farther than threshold

target within distance window

target outside of distance window

no target

Output format (I²C): 16-bit distance reading (in millimeters)

Included components

A 1×7 strip of 0.1″ header pins and a 1×7 strip of 0.1″ right-angle header pins are included, as shown in the picture below. You can solder the header strip of your choice to the board for use with custom cables or solderless breadboards, or you can solder wires directly to the board itself for more compact installations.

VL53L1X Time-of-Flight Distance Sensor Carrier with included header pins.

VL53L1X Time-of-Flight Distance Sensor Carrier in a breadboard.

The board has two mounting holes spaced 0.5″ apart that work with #2 and M2 screws (not included).

Important note: This product might ship with a protective liner covering the sensor IC. The liner must be removed for proper sensing performance.

Connections

At least four connections are necessary to use the VL53L1X board: VIN, GND, SCL, and SDA. The VIN pin should be connected to a 2.6 V to 5.5 V source, and GND should be connected to 0 volts. An on-board linear voltage regulator converts VIN to a 2.8 V supply for the VL53L1X IC. Note that if your input voltage is under 3.5 V, you can connect it directly to VDD instead to bypass the regulator; in this configuration, VIN should remain disconnected.

The I²C pins, SCL and SDA, are connected to built-in level-shifters that make them safe to use at voltages over 2.8 V; they should be connected to an I²C bus operating at the same logic level as VIN.

The XSHUT pin is an input and the GPIO1 pin is an open-drain output; both pins are pulled up to 2.8 V by the board. They are not connected to level-shifters on the board and are not 5V-tolerant, but they are usable as-is with many 3.3 V and 5 V microcontrollers: the microcontroller can read the GPIO1 output as long as its logic high threshold is below 2.8 V, and the microcontroller can alternate its own output between low and high-impedance states to drive the XSHUT pin. Alternatively, our 4-channel bidirectional logic level shifter can be used externally with those pins.

Pinout

Schematic diagram

The above schematic shows the additional components the carrier board incorporates to make the VL53L1 easier to use, including the voltage regulator that allows the board to be powered from a 2.6 V to 5.5 V supply and the level-shifter circuit that allows for I²C communication at the same logic voltage level as VIN. This schematic is also available as a downloadable PDF (110k pdf).

I²C communication

The VL53L1X can be configured and its distance readings can be queried through the I²C bus. Level shifters on the I²C clock (SCL) and data (SDA) lines enable I²C communication with microcontrollers operating at the same voltage as VIN (2.6 V to 5.5 V). A detailed explanation of the I²C interface on the VL53L1X can be found in its datasheet (1MB pdf), and more detailed information about I²C in general can be found in NXP’s I²C-bus specification (1MB pdf).

The sensor’s 7-bit slave address defaults to 0101001b on power-up. It can be changed to any other value by writing one of the device configuration registers, but the new address only applies until the sensor is reset or powered off. ST provides an application note (196k pdf) that describes how to use multiple VL53L0X sensors on the same I²C bus by individually bringing each sensor out of reset and assigning it a unique address, and the approach can be easily adapted to apply to the VL53L1X instead.

The I²C interface on the VL53L1X is compliant with the I²C fast mode (400 kHz) standard. In our tests of the board, we were able to communicate with the chip at clock frequencies up to 400 kHz; higher frequencies might work but were not tested.

Sensor configuration and control

In contrast with the information available for many other devices, ST has not publicly released a register map and descriptions or other documentation about configuring and controlling the VL53L1X. Instead, communication with the sensor is intended to be done through ST’s VL53L1X API (STSW-IMG007), a set of C functions that take care of the low-level interfacing. To use the VL53L1X, you can customize the API to run on a host platform of your choice using the information in the API documentation. Alternatively, it is possible to use the API source code as a guide for your own implementation.

Sample code

We have written a basic Arduino library for the VL53L1X, which can be used as an alternative to ST’s official API for interfacing this sensor with an Arduino or Arduino-compatible controller. The library makes it simple to configure the VL53L1X and read the distance data through I²C. It also includes example sketches that show you how to use the library.

We also have an implementation of ST’s VL53L1X API for Arduino available, including an example sketch. Compared to our library, the API has a more complicated interface and uses more storage and memory, but it offers some advanced functionality that our library does not provide and has more robust error checking. Consider using the API for advanced applications, especially when storage and memory are less of an issue.

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