SparkFun ToF Range Finder Breakout - VL6180

This is the SparkFun "Time-of-Flight" range finder, a breakout for the VL6180 distance sensor. Unlike most distance sensors that rely on reflected light intensity or angles to determine range, the VL6180 uses a precise clock to measure the time it takes light to bounce back from a surface. This affords the ToF range finder and VL6180 a significant benefit over other methods because it can be much more accurate and more immune to noise.

This breakout for the VL6180 is as simple as it gets. Only the required passives are populated to provide you with the smallest, most cost-effective way to use multiple sensors in a project with an I2C interface. The VL6180 is actually a 3-in-1 package that combines an IR emitter, a range sensor, and an ambient light sensor for easy use. We've broken out each pin required to use the VL6180, including: IO1, IO0, SCL, SDA, 2.8V, and GND. Please note, however, that the ToF range finder breakout only accepts 2.8V input and logic. You must provide a 2.8V voltage source and level shifting to 3.3V and 5V devices.

Note: Though the datasheet states the VL6180 measures an absolute range of up to 10cm, we have successfully tested it up to 25cm.

Features:

• Operating voltage: 2.8V
• 3-in-1 module
• IR emitter
• Range sensor
• Ambient light sensor
• Measures absolute range up to 10cm
• Gesture recognition
• I2C interface
• Two programmable GPIO
• Two mounting holes.