VL53L0X940 nm time-of-flight ranging sensor

Measure distance from the flight time of invisible infrared light.

Manufacturer-referenced

STMicroelectronics · VL53L0X

Optical LGA-12DocID029104 Rev 2 · April 2018

VL53L0X combines a 940 nm vertical-cavity laser, a single-photon avalanche-diode receiver and ranging electronics in a 4.4 × 2.4 mm optical package. It estimates distance using time of flight, then delivers a range result and validity status over I²C. The bare sensor uses 2.6–3.5 V power. It supports 1.8 V or supply-level I/O, selected during initialization; the example uses 2.8 V with the API configured for 2V8 mode. A breakout board may add regulation or level shifting, but those are not features of the bare package. Range depends on the selected timing budget, target reflectance and ambient infrared light. The 2 m profile is intended for dark conditions, not a guaranteed distance under sunlight. Use ST’s API, calibration and cover-glass guidance, and check measurement status before accepting a reading.

Real View

VL53L0X optical package with two unobstructed apertures and twelve silver underside contacts.

Pinout

VL53L0XOptical LGA-12Top view · pin 1 bottom-right

PCB Footprint

Loading footprint…

3D View

Preparing 3D preview…

12Physical pins VL53L0XOptical LGA-12 Manufacturer-referencedSTMicroelectronics

Pin diagram

Select a pin to explore its connection

Package map

Highlight

VL53L0XOptical LGA-12Top view · pin 1 bottom-right

Click a lead or use the arrow keys. Top view · pin 1 bottom-right

PIN 1 · Supply

AVDDVCSEL

Emitter supply

Function

Supply for the infrared VCSEL.

How to connect

Connect to the main 2.6–3.5 V rail; bypass near pins 1 and 2.

Key specifications

Infrared pulses illuminate the target. The receiver and timing engine estimate flight time; signal processing produces a distance and status for the host.

Main supply2.6–3.5 V · nominal 2.8 V

Emitter wavelength940 nm · infrared

I²C bus400 kHz maximum

Operating ambient−20–70 °C

Operating profile

Supply, signals and operating conditions

VL53L0X operating profile
Parameter	Value	Conditions / notes
Selected package	Optical LGA-12	VL53L0X
Default address	0x29	seven-bit · software changeable
Long-range profile	2	m typical · dark conditions

Package details

VL53L0X · Optical LGA-12

Selected package

Selected VL53L0X physical package
Property	Details
Manufacturer	STMicroelectronics
Part number	VL53L0X
Package	Optical LGA-12
Connections	12 pins
Mounting	SMD
Lead pitch	0.80 mm
Package code	LGA-12
Thermal reference	−20°C to +70°C

Electrical conditions

Bare sensor, not a regulated breakout module

Manufacturer specifications 8 parameters

Scroll sideways to see all columns.

Parameter	Value	Conditions / notes
AVDD and AVDDVCSEL	2.6–3.5 V	Connect to the same rail; nominal 2.8 V
Standard I/O mode	1.6–1.9 V	1.8 V nominal; API default mode
2V8 I/O mode	2.6–3.5 V	HIGH levels equal AVDD; configure via API
Ambient temperature	−20 to +70°C	Normal operating range
Active ranging current	19 mA typical	23°C / 2.8 V, default API, 33 ms budget
Peak current	Up to 40 mA	Including VCSEL
Hardware standby	5 µA typical / 7 µA maximum	At stated nominal temperature and voltage
Absolute voltage limit	−0.5 to 3.6 V	AVDD and digital I/O; stress limit, not operating range

Provide supply capacity for peak current and place the bypass capacitors close to the emitter supply pins.

Ranging profiles

Typical examples from manufacturer Table 13

Manufacturer specifications 6 parameters

Scroll sideways to see all columns.

Parameter	Value	Conditions / notes
Default	30 ms	1.2 m; accuracy depends on Table 12 test conditions
High accuracy	200 ms	1.2 m, better than ±3% under specified conditions
Long range	33 ms	2 m only in dark conditions without ambient IR
High speed	20 ms	1.2 m, ±5% under specified conditions
Interpretation	Budget is not a guaranteed sample period	Include host transfers and housekeeping
Validity	Check range status	Do not accept a numeric distance from a failed sample

Target reflectance, ambient light, cover glass and calibration affect performance.

I²C and control

Address notation and board connections

Manufacturer specifications 7 parameters

Scroll sideways to see all columns.

Parameter	Value	Conditions / notes
Default address	0x29 seven-bit	Datasheet 0x52 write / 0x53 read include the direction bit
Maximum SCL	400 kHz	Use pull-ups for the selected I/O level
SDA / SCL pull-ups	1.5–2 kΩ example	ST recommendation at AVDD=2.8 V and 400 kHz
XSHUT / GPIO1 pull-ups	10 kΩ example	GPIO1 may be open when unused; XSHUT must be driven
Multiple sensors	Use separate XSHUT control lines	Enable one at a time and assign distinct addresses after each reset
Initialization	ST API required	This is not a simple analog distance-voltage output
DNC pin 8	Leave floating	Do not use as ground or supply

The illustrated host uses 2.8 V-compatible I/O and enables the sensor’s 2V8 mode.

Optics and calibration

Keep the optical path clear

Manufacturer specifications 7 parameters

Scroll sideways to see all columns.

Parameter	Value	Conditions / notes
Emitter	940 nm VCSEL	Invisible infrared source
Receiver	SPAD array	Single-photon avalanche-diode technology
Package height	1.0 mm nominal	4.4 × 2.4 mm outline
Cover glass	Offset and crosstalk calibration	Follow ST optical-window and exclusion-cone guidance
Reference calibration	Follow API sequence	Required for the target design
Distance equation	d = c × t / 2	Conceptual round-trip relation; internal algorithms handle timing
500 mm illustration	About 3.34 ns round trip	Physics illustration, not an accessible host timer reading

Do not obscure either optical aperture with labels, paint or board hardware.

2.8 V ranging circuit

Bare-sensor application connections

Manufacturer specifications 7 parameters

Scroll sideways to see all columns.

Parameter	Value	Conditions / notes
Supply	Pins 1 and 11 to 2.8 V	100 nF and 4.7 µF close to emitter supply / return
Ground	Pins 2, 3, 4, 6 and 12	Connect to a common ground plane
Bus	SDA9 and SCL10	1.8 kΩ pull-ups to 2.8 V in this example
Shutdown	XSHUT5 with 10 kΩ pull-up	Host can pull LOW for hardware standby
Interrupt	GPIO1 pin 7 with 10 kΩ pull-up	Optional host input
Reserved	DNC8 floating	No connection
Mode	2V8 API configuration	Use matching host logic levels

No 5 V tolerance or onboard regulator is assumed.

Connections by function

Select a pin for its function, connection guidance and electrical notes.

Supply2 pins

Ground5 pins

Shutdown1 pin

Interrupt1 pin

Do not connect1 pin

I²C bus2 pins

VL53L0X working principle: illustrated functional stages, basic circuit and connections — Select the diagram to read it at full resolution.

How it works

3 stages · Explore one step at a time

Step 1 / 3

Initialize and calibrate

Use ST’s API to initialize the sensor and apply required reference, offset and cover-glass calibration.

Step 2 / 3

Measure reflected light

The emitter and receiver collect timing information during the chosen measurement budget.

Step 3 / 3

Read distance and status

Wait for data-ready, read the result and clear the interrupt. Reject invalid or out-of-range samples.

Bare VL53L0X connected to a 2.8 V host with I2C pullups, supply bypass, shutdown and interrupt. — Configure 2V8 I/O mode in the ST API; pin 8 remains floating.

Connect it, step by step

Follow the component values and pin connections

Power

Connect both supplies and all five ground contacts.

Control

Fit pull-ups, drive XSHUT and connect the I²C host.

Measure

Initialize, calibrate, start ranging and verify result status.

VL53L0X compact functional cutaway with VCSEL, SPAD receiver, timing engine, processing and I2C interface. — Original functional illustration, not a transistor-level schematic.

Explore the circuit

Select a stage to see its role and connections

Emit

A 940 nm VCSEL sends infrared pulses.

Receive

The SPAD array detects returning photons.

Process

Timing and processing yield distance and validity status.

Selected packageOptical LGA-12VL53L0X

Physical connections12 pinsPackage-specific numbering

Reference collection6 tables35 parameters & pin functions