In this example we connect a VL6180X Proximity sensor, gesture and ambient light sensing (ALS) module to an Arduino Uno
First lets look at some information about the sensor from the manufacturer
The VL6180X is a ground-breaking technology allowing absolute distance to be measured independent of target reflectance.
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).
Combining an IR emitter, a range sensor and an ambient light sensor, the VL6180X is easy to integrate and saves the end-product maker long and costly optical and mechanical design optimizations.
The module is designed for low power operation. Ranging and ALS measurements can be automatically performed at user defined intervals. Multiple threshold and interrupt schemes are supported to minimize host operations.
Host control and result reading is performed using an I2C interface. Optional additional functions, such as measurement ready and threshold interrupts, are provided by two programmable GPIO pins.
Key Features
- Three-in-one smart optical module
- Proximity sensor
- Ambient Light Sensor
- VCSEL light source
- Fast, accurate distance ranging
- Measures absolute range from 0 to above 10 cm (ranging beyond 10cm is dependent on conditions)
- Independent of object reflectance
- Ambient light rejection
- Cross-talk compensation for cover glass
- Gesture recognition
- Distance and signal level can be used by host system to implement gesture recognition
- Ambient light sensor
- High dynamic range
- Accurate/sensitive in ultra-low light
- Calibrated output value in lux
- Two programmable GPIO
- Window and thresholding functions for both ranging and ALS
Parts Required
Here are the parts I used
| Name | Link |
| Arduino Uno | UNO R3 CH340G/ATmega328P, compatible for Arduino UNO |
| vl6180x | VL6180X Range Finder Optical Ranging Sensor Module |
| Connecting wire | Free shipping Dupont line 120pcs 20cm male to male + male to female and female to female jumper wire |
| sensor shield | Expansion IO Board Sensor Shield |
Schematic/Connection
Arduino and VL6180X layout
Code Example
This example uses the Adafruit library https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_VL6180X
This is one of the default examples
[codesyntax lang=”cpp”]
#include <Wire.h>
#include "Adafruit_VL6180X.h"
Adafruit_VL6180X vl = Adafruit_VL6180X();
void setup() {
Serial.begin(115200);
// wait for serial port to open on native usb devices
while (!Serial) {
delay(1);
}
Serial.println("Adafruit VL6180x test!");
if (! vl.begin()) {
Serial.println("Failed to find sensor");
while (1);
}
Serial.println("Sensor found!");
}
void loop() {
float lux = vl.readLux(VL6180X_ALS_GAIN_5);
Serial.print("Lux: "); Serial.println(lux);
uint8_t range = vl.readRange();
uint8_t status = vl.readRangeStatus();
if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_NONE) {
Serial.print("Range: "); Serial.println(range);
}
// Some error occurred, print it out!
if ((status >= VL6180X_ERROR_SYSERR_1) && (status <= VL6180X_ERROR_SYSERR_5)) {
Serial.println("System error");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_ECEFAIL) {
Serial.println("ECE failure");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_NOCONVERGE) {
Serial.println("No convergence");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_RANGEIGNORE) {
Serial.println("Ignoring range");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_SNR) {
Serial.println("Signal/Noise error");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_RAWUFLOW) {
Serial.println("Raw reading underflow");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_RAWOFLOW) {
Serial.println("Raw reading overflow");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_RANGEUFLOW) {
Serial.println("Range reading underflow");
}
else if (status == VL6180X_ERROR_RANGEOFLOW) {
Serial.println("Range reading overflow");
}
delay(50);
}
[/codesyntax]
Output
Here is what I saw in Serial monitor
VL6180x test!
Sensor found!
Lux: 0.00
Range: 34
Lux: 0.00
Range: 44
Lux: 0.00
Range: 53
Lux: 0.00
Range: 47
Lux: 0.00
Range: 42
Lux: 0.06
Links
https://www.st.com/resource/en/datasheet/vl6180x.pdf
