STMicroelectronics has introduced the VL53L8CX, the latest-generation 8×8 multi-zone time-of-flight (ToF) ranging sensor. The ToF sensor offers several improvements including greater ambient-light immunity, lower power consumption and enhanced optics. Target applications include human-presence sensing, gesture recognition and robotics. It also can be used in other industrial applications such as monitoring the contents of bins, containers, silos and tanks in industrial bulk storage and warehousing.
(Source: STMicroelectronics)
The VL53L8CX direct-ToF sensors combine a 940-nm vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL), a multi-zone SPAD (single-photon avalanche diode) detector array, and an optical system, comprised of filters and diffractive optical elements (DOE), in an all-in-one module. The sensor projects a wide square field of view of 45° × 45° (65° diagonal) and receives reflected light to calculate the distance of objects up to 400 cm away, across 64 independent zones, and up to 30 captures per second.
ST said the module outperforms conventional micro lenses typically used with similar alternative sensors.
The VL53L8CX improves ranging performance with a new-generation VCSEL and advanced silicon-based meta-optics. Compared with the current VL53L5CX, the enhancements increase immunity to interference from ambient light, extending the sensor’s maximum range in daylight from 170 cm to 285 cm and reducing power consumption from 4.5 mW to 1.6 mW in low-power mode.
The VL53L8CX also offers uniform sensitivity and accurate ranging throughout the field of view, with superior range in ambient light, thanks to its true 8×8 multi-zone sensing, ST said. As an example, this greater ambient light immunity enables a fast and consistent response when used for system activation and human presence detection, according to the company.
As part of ST’s STGesture platform that includes the STSW-IMG035 turnkey gesture-recognition software and Gesture EVK development tool, the new sensor delivers the precision needed for repeatable gesture-based interaction. ST said hand posture recognition is also possible leveraging the latest AI models available in the STM32ai-modelzoo on GitHub.
Design support includes the X-NUCLEO-53L8A1 expansion board and SATEL-VL53L8 breakout boards. The P-NUCLEO-53L8A1 pack is also available, which contains a STM32F401 Nucleo microcontroller board and X-NUCLEO-53L8A1 expansion board.
The VL53L8CX is available now, housed in a 6.4 × 3.0 × 1.75-mm leadless package. Prices start from $3.60 for orders of 1,000 units.
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