TF Mini Plus(ToF) Laser Range Sensor

TFmini Plus is a great improvement over the original TFmini. It is a small single-point ranging sensor with unique optical and electrical algorithms, which can realize accurate and quick distance measurement as well as keep a stable and high-sensitive performance.

TFmini Plus is based on TOF, namely, Time of Flight principle. To be specific, the product emits modulation wave of near infrared ray on a periodic basis, which will be reflected after contacting object. The product obtains the time of flight by measuring round-trip phase difference and then calculates relative range between the product and the detection object.

Inherited characters of low cost, small size and low power consumption from TFmini, TFmini Plus has greatly improved its whole performance—increasing the frame rate from 100Hz to 1000Hz, reducing blind zone to 10cm, improving accuracy and stability. What’s more, TFmini Plus introduces IP65 enclosures that could effectively prevent water and dust, which also makes the product more adaptable to outdoor light or environment with different temperatures and reflectance. The sensor can provide much lower power consumption and more flexible detecting frequency. It is compatible with UART and IIC communication (send command to switch) and adopts standard 5V power supply. The average power is 0.55W.

This sensor works well with all sorts of Arduino controllers. It can be easily integrated into the system when used with the Arduino library developed by DFRobot.

TFmini Plus features a tiny size of 35*21*18.5mm(1.38*0.83*1.73”), as large as a man’s finger, but it brings us excellent ranging performance. Use the sensor to detect the distance between it and obstacle ahead; use it as an eye of a robot to provide distance information for robot to safely avoid obstacle and select route; or apply it in Automotive Collision Avoidance System; it is also suitable for altitude holding system of UAV and UAV landing scenarios.

Dimension Diagram

Notes:

1. The maintenance of this product should be done by the professional technician, and the product can only work with the factory spare part for ensuring the performance and safety.

2. This product itself has no polarity and over-voltage protection. Please properly connect and supply power as described in this manual.

3.Operating temperature of this product is between -20℃ and 60℃. Do not use it beyond this temperature range to prevent malfunction.

4. Storage temperature of this product is between -20℃ and 75℃. Do not store it beyond this temperature range to prevent malfunction.

5. For ensuring the product performance, do not open the product shell to do any adjustment or maintenance against the instruction.

6. Detecting object with high reflectivity, such as the mirror or the smooth floor tile, may cause a system malfunction.

7. The product will malfunction if there is any transparent object between it and the detecting object, such as glass or water.

8. The product will malfunction if its emitting or receiving IR-pass filter is covered by the dust. Please keep the IR-pass filters clean. Please do not spread ethyl alcohol on the IR-pass filters, which are made of acrylic, IR-pass filters will be damaged.

9. Please do not pull the fine wire, the wire may be damaged.

10. Please always send the command of save settings when try to modify parameters of TFmini Plus, otherwise the settings will not take effect. Bytes with yellow undertone“SU”represent checksum: sum of all bytes from Head to payload. Lower 8 bits.

SPECIFICATION

Product Characteristics

• Detecting Range: 0.1m~12m
• Accuracy: ±5cm@ (0.1-6m), ±1%@(6m-12m)
• Resolution: 5mm
• Frame Rate : 1-1000Hz(adjustable)
• Anti-ambient Light: 70klux 
• Operating Temperature: -20℃~60℃
• Protection Degree: IP65

Optical Characteristics

• Light Source: LED
• Operating Center Wavelength: 850nm
• Signal Acceptance Angle: 3.6°

Electrical Characteristics 

• Input Voltage: 5V±0.5V
• Average Current: ≤110mA
• Power Consumption: 550mW (Low Power Mode: 85mW)
• Peak Current: 500mA
• Communication Level: LVTTL (3.3V)
• Communication Interface: UART, IIC, I/O 

Others

• Enclosure Material: ABS+PC
• Storage Temperature: -20℃~75℃
• Weight: 12g
• Wire Length: 30cm