X-NUCLEO-53L4A3 Time of Flight (ToF) Sensor [Unboxing + Resource Integration + Code Testing]

御坂10032号

X-NUCLEO-53L4A3 Time of Flight (ToF) Sensor [Unboxing + Resource Integration + Code Testing] [Copy link]

Introduction

I am very honored to participate in this evaluation of the X-NUCLEO-53L4A3 time-of-flight sensor. The ultimate goal of this evaluation is to use the time-of-flight sensor to compare with other common ranging radar modules on the market in various aspects, such as

The accuracy and distance of ranging, etc.

Unboxing photos

Since I have never used ST's official board before, I obtained the main information this time based on the ST website link on the packaging box. It took me a long time to download the information shown below.

The original text is in English, and the picture above has been renamed by me.

After decompressing the en.X-CUBE-TOF1 above, you can find the three test demos currently on board according to the screenshot below.

The project provides a variety of engineering environments, where you can choose according to your own environment.

I chose STM32CUBE-IDE here

The configuration of STM32CUBE-IDE can be performed according to the sequence in the figure above. Then configure the Debug (download) option according to the figure below.

After that, we click the Run new configuration button to download the compiled firmware to the development board.

Introduction to Time of Flight Sensors

A Time of Flight (ToF) sensor is a sensor that determines the distance between an object and the sensor by measuring the flight time of a light signal. It emits a beam of light (usually infrared light or laser), which is reflected back to the sensor after hitting an object. The sensor determines the distance of the target by calculating the time difference between the light being emitted and the light being returned.

The working principle of ToF sensor is based on the relationship between the speed of light and the flight time, that is: distance = (speed of light / flight time) / 2

The comparison with the common ultrasonic module is distance = (sound speed / time) / 2

However, the accuracy and range of X-NUCLEO-53L4A3 far exceed those of common ultrasonic modules and ordinary millimeter-wave radars. The accuracy of ranging can reach the millimeter level (tested in the next article). Official introduction: It has accurate absolute distance measurement and is not affected by the reflectivity of the target (reflection of light).

After we burn the above code into the computer, and open it through the serial port tool (baud rate 460800), we can see the following information.

I will extract a piece of data to introduce the format of the data.

Targets = 1
|--->
Status = 0, Distance = 2175 mm, Ambient = 0.37 kcps/spad, Signal = 2.24 kcps/spad

I didn't find any specific instructions. Target should be the amount of data detected. Status should be the status of the current test result. Distance is the distance. Ambient is the noise caused by the intensity of ambient light (I guess). Signal is the reflection status of the current light.

I burned the wrong code at first, and then I checked the reviews of other big guys on the forum. I found that this time-of-flight sensor actually has an ST official GUI tool. In the next post, we will reproduce the measurement and use of the GUI tool.

Attachments (may be useful):

飞行时间传感器数原理图.pdf (139.7 KB, downloads: 0)

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开发板原理图.pdf (1.25 MB, downloads: 0)

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Jacktang

It is possible that this time-of-flight sensor also has an official ST GUI tool.

lugl4313820

I feel like I haven't understood these three parameters clearly. I only know the distance.

御坂10032号

lugl4313820 posted on 2024-11-6 10:43 I feel that I don’t understand these three parameters clearly. I only know one distance.

You can try it. It should be possible to set it to multi-target detection. The rest are probably parameter data of the environment. Then it is reflected in the status to indicate the accuracy of the current measurement.

御坂10032号

Jacktang posted on 2024-11-6 07:27 It is possible that this time-of-flight sensor also has an official ST GUI tool.

I also saw it when I was sorting out the information. I don't know how that guy found it.

wangerxian

Can I read the sensor parameters directly? Get the distance of an area.

lugl4313820

wangerxian posted on 2024-11-6 17:35 Can I read the sensor parameters directly? Get the distance of an area.

You mean 3D scanning, which requires a platform or motor for precise control.

wangerxian

lugl4313820 posted on 2024-11-7 07:39 You mean 3D scanning, which requires a platform or motor for precise control.

No, I remember that the ST TOF scanned a rectangular plane distance of x, and then calculated the average distance. I want to get the original visual value of x.

lugl4313820

wangerxian posted on 2024-11-7 09:01 No, I remember that ST's TOF scanned out a rectangular plane distance of x, and then calculated the average distance. I want to get the original visual value of x.

That is another model that can generate an 8*8 array.

wangerxian

lugl4313820 posted on 2024-11-7 10:51 That is another model that can generate an 8*8 array.

Oh, I thought it was this model of sensor.