ST VL53L8CX sensor: 3D scene mapping and simultaneous distance measurement of multiple objects in multiple zones.

Increased detection of 3D spatial object position and movement… ST sensor provides distance values for 64 areas.

ST will host a webinar on May 16th on how to use the VL53L8CX multi-zone distance measurement sensor and EVK.

[Editor's Note] Featuring ST's proven histogram processing technology, the VL53L8CX multi-zone ranging sensor significantly reduces the impact of cover glass crosstalk, allowing it to be easily integrated unobtrusively behind various types of front panels. It also features a new, innovative motion indicator to detect whether a target is moving. To learn more about ST's sensor, we will be hosting a webinar with ST on May 16th titled "How to Use the VL53L8CX Multi-zone Ranging Sensor and EVK." Before the webinar, we heard from ST Vice President Shin Jin-wook, who will be speaking.

▲Shin Jin-wook, ST Vice President

■ Please explain why the ToF sensor is attracting attention and its basic concepts.

ToF sensor is considered one of the easiest ways to obtain distance values to objects in three-dimensional space.

The basic concept is that light is emitted from a transmitter, and this light is reflected from an object and received by a receiver, which internally digitizes the pulse.

Through this, the time difference of light during transmission and reception is calculated, and the distance value to the object is calculated using the speed of light and the time difference.

■ Market demands related to ToF sensors and how is ST responding to them?

The initial market was deployed as a single zone with simple distance sensing capabilities.

Recently, there is an increasing demand to understand the position/movement of objects in more complex X/Y/Z axes and 3D space.

In line with this, ST has released a product, the VL53L8 CX, which can provide distance values in 64 areas by dividing the resolution of the X/Y space into 8x8. />
■ Introduction to ST's ToF sensor products and solutions

ST TOF products have a diverse lineup of TOF products that provide distance measurement functions from single zone (1D) to multi-zone (up to 64 zones) and from 120 cm to 800 cm.

Please refer to the ST website for further details and specifications.

■ What are the key takeaways from the May 16 webinar?

The VL53L8CX being introduced can detect 64 zones (8x8) by default and measure the distance to multiple objects in each zone up to 4m.

ST's patented histogram algorithm provides detection and measurement of multiple targets within the field of view, as well as smudge immunity of 60cm or greater.

It provides consistent linearity even when measuring distances of objects as close as 2 cm, allowing customers to easily obtain distance measurement capabilities in three-dimensional space.

■ What are some examples of ST’s ToF sensor applications?

ST's FlightSense multi-zone sensor offers powerful capabilities such as 3D scene mapping and simultaneous measurement of multiple object distances in multiple zones.

ST TOF is being used to implement vivid situational awareness in smart equipment applications such as home automation, appliances, computers, robots, and even stores and factories.

OwlIt is also being used to improve the performance of applications such as smart waste management that tracks full and empty bins, and is also being used in robots for floor detection, cliff prediction, obstacle avoidance, and small object detection.

In addition, the STGesture™ software pack is used to enhance hand tracking capabilities for gesture recognition and for applications such as keystone correction for projectors.

The May 16th webinar will also cover development tools. Could you briefly explain and explain their benefits?

The development tool introduced in the upcoming webinar can be connected to the STM32 MCU F401 Mother board, and using the development tool allows for easier porting and use of the S/W package provided by ST.

You can receive not only the basic Ranging example source code but also the Turnkey Solution S/W package, which will be of great help in the preliminary development of the desired application.

■ Please give a word to e4ds readers regarding the content introduced today.

Dear e4ds readers, I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to introduce ST TOF, and in particular the VL53L8CX, through this webinar.

A variety of TOF products are available at ST.com.

We hope you will visit our website and gain valuable information to help you implement the features you desire with ST TOF.

thank you