ToF ranging sensors for gesture, proximity and many more applications

The sensing capabilities of the new VL53L0X Time-of-Flight (ToF) ranging sensors from STMicroelectronics can support a wide range of functions including gesture sensing or proximity detection for new innovative user interfaces, wall detection, cliff detection and collision avoidance for robotic appliances such as vacuum cleaners, as well as hands-free actuation of home appliances or washroom devices such as faucets, soap dispensers, hand dryers, and flushers. Other applications include user-presence detection for laptops or monitors for power-on/off control, drones, and Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices. Compared to infrared proximity sensors, the VL53L0X gives accurate distance measurement in millimeters, and is unaffected by the color or reflectivity of the sensed target. Its fast-acting FlightSense technology, well known from the laser-assisted camera auto-focus featured in several smartphones from top brands, can also distinguish movement towards or away from the sensor or from side to side. Distance is calculated internally and communicated over I2C thereby minimizing demands on the system host controller. The VL53L0X extends the ToF measurement range to two meters, and is accurate to within ±3%. It is also faster, measuring the distance in under 30ms, and is energy-efficient, consuming only 20mW in active ranging mode and drawing 5µA in standby. Measuring 2.4mm x 4.4...