Adafruit
Garmin LIDAR-Lite Optical Distance LED Sensor - V4
The Garmin LIDAR-Lite V4 LED is a compact, low-power optical distance sensor that measures up to 10 metres using lensed LED light (not a laser, despite the n...
Get notified when back in stock
The Garmin LIDAR-Lite V4 LED is a compact, low-power optical distance sensor that measures up to 10 metres using lensed LED light (not a laser, despite the name). Drawing only 85 mA during acquisition with measurement rates up to 200 Hz, it's an ideal alternative to ultrasonic sensors for robotics, IoT, and unmanned vehicles.
Connect via I²C to read distance values from any microcontroller, or use Garmin's ANT wireless protocol for cable-free operation. The built-in nRF52840 processor runs a preloaded stock application out of the box, or experienced developers can create custom firmware and push over-the-air updates via Bluetooth LE.
Key Features
- 10m Range – LED-based optical distance measurement (not laser)
- Up to 200 Hz – Fast measurement rate with adjustable accuracy/range/speed trade-offs
- Dual Connectivity – I²C interface plus Garmin ANT wireless profile
- Built-In nRF52840 Processor – Works standalone with preloaded firmware, or develop custom applications
- Bluetooth LE Updates – Over-the-air firmware updates for custom applications
- Ultra-Low Power – Only 85 mA during acquisition
- Compact & Lightweight – Small form factor suitable for space-constrained builds
Specifications
- Sensor Type – LED optical distance (non-laser)
- Range – Up to 10 m
- Measurement Rate – Up to 200 Hz
- Current Draw – 85 mA during acquisition
- Interfaces – I²C, Garmin ANT wireless
- Processor – nRF52840
- Power Supply – 5V
- Logic Level – 3.3V
Ideal For
- Robotics and obstacle avoidance
- Unmanned vehicles and drones
- IoT proximity and distance sensing
- Replacing ultrasonic sensors with faster, more accurate optical measurement
Package Contents
- 1× Garmin LIDAR-Lite V4 LED Sensor
Resources
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- DC
- DC means direct current, where electricity flows in one constant direction, as supplied by batteries, USB ports and many plug-pack power supplies. When a product specifies DC, it runs from a DC supply rather than mains AC, so you need to provide the correct voltage and polarity.
- IoT
- Short for Internet of Things, meaning physical devices that connect to networks or the internet to send data or be controlled remotely. It matters if you want projects such as connected sensors, remote controls or classroom data-logging activities.
- LED
- A light-emitting diode (LED) is a small electronic component that emits light when current flows through it in the correct direction. Because it only conducts one way, its polarity matters, and a through-hole LED must be soldered the correct way around to light up.
- LiDAR
- A sensing method that uses laser light to measure distance and build a 3D picture of the surroundings. It matters for robotics and autonomous systems because LiDAR data can help with mapping, navigation and obstacle detection.
- 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.
- nRF52840
- The nRF52840 is a Nordic Semiconductor system-on-chip built around a 32-bit Arm Cortex-M4 processor, with built-in Bluetooth Low Energy and native USB. It is widely used in maker and wearable boards, where it offers BLE and USB support along with broad library coverage in common maker toolchains.
Find this product in
Brands
Sensors & Input
Related Tutorials
Free guides on learn.littlebird.com.au
