VL6180 VL6180X ToF Range Finder Sensor

The STMicroelectronics VL6180X Time of Flight Ranging Sensor embeds ST’s patented FlightSense™technology that allows distance to be accurately measured independent of target reflectance. The sensor is rated to perform ranging measurements of 5-100mm, but it can provide readings up to 200mm in a good environment. Besides, VL6180X is also equipped with an ambient light sensor, so basically, this is a sensor that combines proximity ranging and ambient light level measurement capacities into a single package

This is the CJMCU “Time-of-Flight” Range Finder, a sensor board for the VL6180 distance sensor. Unlike most distance sensors that rely on reflected light intensity or reflected angles to determine range, the VL6180 uses a precise clock to measure the time it takes light to bounce back from a surface. This affords the ToF Range Finder and VL6180 a great benefit over other methods because it can be much more accurate and more immune to noise. Does this technology sound familiar? Well it should, it’s the same means cellphones use to detect when the caller is holding their phone to their ear.

The VL6180 is actually a 3-in-1 package that combines an IR emitter, a range sensor, and an ambient light sensor together for you to easily use and communicate with via an I2C interface. The ToF Range Finder is very similar to its breakout cousin with a few important differences. What sets this board apart is this sensor is equipped with an on-board 2.8V regulator, which means if you were to plug in a voltage higher than 2.8V it will be shifted down without worry of damaging your board! Another thing to note is the form factor of the sensor itself. Many small robotics platforms have integrated hole patterns for the long time favorite Sharp IR sensor line. This allows the VL6180 Sensor to be a near drop-in replacement for most Sharp sensors.

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