STMicroelectronics VL53L3CX time-of-flight sensor

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STMicroelectronics has extended the capabilities of its FlightSense time-of-flight (ToF) ranging sensors by introducing the VL53L3CX with patented histogram algorithms that allow measuring distances to multiple objects.

The VL53L3CX measures object ranges from 2.5 cm to 3 m, unaffected by the target colour or reflectance — unlike conventional infrared sensors. This allows designers to introduce powerful features to their products, such as enabling occupancy detectors to provide error-free sensing by ignoring unwanted background or foreground objects, or reporting the exact distances to multiple targets within the sensor’s field of view.

The ST patented histogram algorithms increase cover-glass crosstalk immunity and allow real-time smudge compensation preventing external contamination from adversely affecting the ranging accuracy of, for example, vacuum cleaners or equipment that may be used in a dusty industrial environment. Ranging under ambient lighting is also improved.

In addition, the VL53L3CX has good linearity that increases short-distance measurement accuracy enhancing wall tracking, faster cliff detection and obstacle avoidance in equipment such as service robots and vacuum cleaners. It features a compact, all-in-one package design that eases integration in customer devices, as well as low power consumption that helps extend battery runtime.

ToF sensing brings high performance to a wide variety of applications, including occupancy detection in building-automation and lighting controllers, proximity sensing in IoT endpoints, auto-wakeup in portable devices and user detection in automatic sanitary equipment. With their fast response times, ToF sensors also enhance the performance of devices requiring precise movement control, typically robotics and indoor drones.

For more information: www.st.com/vl53l3cx-pr.