VL6180X Time of Flight Distance Sensor

Miaoye and I choose the VL6180X TOF distance sensor as our research target.

Description:

Instead of estimating the distance by measuring the amount of light reflected back from the object (which is significantly influenced by color and surface), the VL6180X precisely measures the time the light takes to travel to the nearest object and reflect back to the sensor (Time-of-Flight). Since it uses a very narrow light source, it is good for determining the distance of only the surface directly in front of it, the ‘cone’ of sensing is very narrow.

A three-in-one ready-to-use reflowable package: Combining an IR emitter, a range sensor, and an ambient light sensor.

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Datasheet:

Proximity and ambient light sensing (ALS) module

You can find the datasheet here

Ranging: from 0 to 100mm
[0-100mm(precise measuring), 0-200mm(also could be detected)]

Ambient light sensor: < 1 Lux up to 100kLux; 16-bit output; 8 manual gain settings

Operating voltage: Functional range(2.6 to 3.0V); Optimum range(2.7 to 2.9V)
[Since the chip uses 2.8 VDC, we have included a voltage regulator on board that will take 3-5VDC and safely convert it down. ]

Operating voltage: Functional range(-20 to 70°C ); Optimum range(-10 to 60°C)

Strengths & Weakness:

Strengths:

Precise reading for the short distance, suitable for any object to be played with hand.
Sensitive reading, simple to use in any circumstance requiring a captured moment.
Ultra-low power operation, measurements can be automatically performed at user-defined intervals.

Weakness:

Only detect the object precisely in front of the sensor, but NOT for the nearby objects.
VL6180X does NOT have reverse voltage protection. The sensor will be unresponsive and cannot be detected if you make the mistake of reversing the GND and Vin pins.
The readings are inaccurate when the object is TOO close to the sensor. When my finger is fully pressed on the sensor, it reads 20mm. Miaoye tried her sensor, which read around 10mm for the same scene.