Adafruit
Adafruit VL53L0X Time of Flight Distance Sensor - ~30 to 1000mm
The Adafruit VL53L0X is a Time-of-Flight (ToF) distance sensor from ST that uses an invisible laser to measure distances from approximately 50 mm to 1200 mm....
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The Adafruit VL53L0X is a Time-of-Flight (ToF) distance sensor from ST that uses an invisible laser to measure distances from approximately 50 mm to 1200 mm. By timing how long the laser light takes to bounce back, it delivers precise distance readings without the linearity issues or double-imaging problems found in IR reflectance sensors.
The narrow laser beam measures only the surface directly in front of the sensor, making it far more focused than ultrasonic sensors. The breakout includes a 2.8V regulator and level shifting, so it works with any 3–5V microcontroller over I2C.
Key Features
- Time-of-Flight Measurement – Invisible laser ranging for precise, reliable distance data
- ~50 to 1200 mm Range – Suitable for medium-range distance sensing
- Narrow Sensing Cone – Focused laser beam measures only the surface directly ahead
- I2C Interface – Based on ST's VL53L0X API with Adafruit Arduino wrapper library
- 3–5V Compatible – On-board 2.8V regulator and level shifting
- Compact Breakout – Small PCB suitable for robotics and interactive projects
Compared To Other ToF Sensors
- vs VL6180X – The VL6180X measures 5–200 mm (closer range) and includes a light sensor; the VL53L0X covers 50–1200 mm for longer distances
Ideal For
- Robotics obstacle detection and navigation
- Gesture and proximity sensing
- Level and fill measurement
- Interactive installations and displays
Package Contents
- 1× Adafruit VL53L0X ToF Distance Sensor Breakout (assembled and tested)
- 1× Header strip (requires soldering)
Resources
- Adafruit VL53L0X Tutorial – Code, schematics, wiring diagrams, and more
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- API
- An API (application programming interface) is a defined set of commands or functions that lets one piece of software interact with another, such as a library, operating system, hardware driver or online service. When something offers API support, it means you can control or query it from your own code rather than only through its built-in menus or buttons.
- breakout
- A breakout board carries a small or fine-pitched component and brings its connections out to standard, breadboard- and header-friendly pins. Describing a part as a breakout means it can be wired into a project without soldering directly to the component's tiny contacts.
- I2C
- I2C is a two-wire communication bus used by many sensors and small modules. It matters because several I2C devices can share the same two wires, but each device needs a compatible address and your controller must support I2C.
- microcontroller
- A microcontroller is a small computer on a single chip that runs a stored program and controls connected inputs and outputs such as buttons, sensors, displays and communication interfaces. In a device built around one, it is the part that executes the code and coordinates the device's behaviour.
- PCB
- A printed circuit board (PCB) is a board, usually rigid, with etched copper tracks that connect electronic components together without loose wiring. Components are mounted on the board and signals route between them through the copper layout.
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