The STEVAL-TDR015V1 is a highly integrated module for time-of-flight distance measurement based on the FlightSense? technology from STMicroelectronics. In this blog post, we will discuss the key features, specifications, and applications of the STEVAL-TDR015V1, and provide a step-by-step guide to using the module with an Arduino board.

Overview of the STEVAL-TDR015V1

The STEVAL-TDR015V1 is a compact and low-power board that incorporates a VL53L3CX time-of-flight sensor from STMicroelectronics, a 32-bit ARM? Cortex?-M0+ microcontroller, and a set of functional blocks for power management, communication, and software development. The VL53L3CX sensor uses a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array and a high-speed time-to-digital converter (TDC) to measure the round-trip flight time of a light pulse sent from an emitter to a target and back. By calculating the distance as half of the product of the speed of light and the flight time, the sensor can achieve sub-millimeter accuracy with a range of up to 3 meters.

The STEVAL-TDR015V1 board provides several interfaces for connecting to an external device, such as an Arduino board or a PC. The board has a USB port for serial communication and firmware updates, a UART port for debugging and configuration, and a dedicated I2C port for sensor control and data transfer. Additionally, the board has a set of LEDs and push-buttons for status indication and user interaction.

Specifications and Performance

The STEVAL-TDR015V1 board has the following specifications and performance characteristics:

Operating voltage range: 2.6V to 3.5V

Current consumption: 20 mA typical, 100 mA maximum

Measurement range: up to 3 meters, with 1.3 mm resolution

Measurement time: 60 ms typical, adjustable from 20 ms to 150 ms

Field of view (FOV): 27° horizontal, 24° vertical, with 16x16 pixels

Ambient light immunity: up to 100 kLux, with dynamic ranging and saturation detection

Interface protocols: USB, UART, I2C

Operating temperature range: -20°C to 70°C

Board dimensions: 37.8 x 21.0 mm

In terms of performance, the STEVAL-TDR015V1 board provides accurate and fast distance measurements with low power consumption and high immunity to ambient light. The sensor can detect various types of targets, including dark, reflective, and transparent surfaces, and can operate in either single-shot or continuous modes. The sensor also supports multi-zone operation and simultaneous detection of up to 8 objects, making it suitable for many industrial and consumer applications.

Applications and Use Cases

The STEVAL-TDR015V1 board can be used in various applications, ranging from robotics and automation to IoT and smart devices. Here are some examples:

Proximity sensing: The STEVAL-TDR015V1 board can be used to detect the presence and distance of objects in the environment, enabling touchless interfaces and gesture recognition in smartphones, laptops, and smart homes.

Obstacle avoidance: The STEVAL-TDR015V1 board can be used in drones, robots, and autonomous vehicles to avoid collisions with obstacles and navigate in complex environments.

Industrial automation: The STEVAL-TDR015V1 board can be used in factory automation, logistics, and security systems to monitor the position and movement of objects and optimize the workflow and safety.

3D scanning: The STEVAL-TDR015V1 board can be used in 3D printers, scanners, and modeling tools to capture the shape and size of objects and create digital models for prototyping and manufacturing.

Getting Started with the STEVAL-TDR015V1

To use the STEVAL-TDR015V1 board, you need to follow these steps:

1. Download and install the VL53L3CX API library and the Arduino IDE from the STMicroelectronics website or the GitHub repository.

2. Connect the STEVAL-TDR015V1 board to your Arduino board using the I2C interface, and connect the USB cable to your PC.

3. Open the Arduino IDE and select the appropriate board and port settings.

4. Load the example code for the VL53L3CX sensor from the Arduino IDE, and compile and upload it to your Arduino board.

5. Open the serial monitor in the Arduino IDE, and check the output of the sensor.

6. Experiment with different parameters and settings, and modify the code as needed.

By following these steps, you can quickly test and evaluate the STEVAL-TDR015V1 board and integrate it into your own projects and applications.

Conclusion

The STEVAL-TDR015V1 is a powerful and versatile module for time-of-flight distance measurement, with a range of up to 3 meters and a resolution of 1.3 mm. The board combines a high-performance VL53L3CX sensor with a 32-bit microcontroller and various functional blocks for easy integration and development. The board supports USB, UART, and I2C interfaces, and can be used in various applications, such as proximity sensing, obstacle avoidance, industrial automation, and 3D scanning. By following the steps outlined in this post, you can quickly get started with the STEVAL-TDR015V1 board and unleash its full potential for your own projects.