VL53L8CX -- 8x8 Multizone Time-of-Flight Sensor

Source: STMicroelectronics Datasheet (DS14161)
Manufacturer: STMicroelectronics
Part Number: VL53L8CX
Document: DS14161 -- Rev 7, August 2023

Description

The VL53L8CX is an 8x8 multizone Time-of-Flight (ToF) ranging sensor with low-power operation and enhanced distance ranging performance under ambient light. Based on STMicroelectronics' FlightSense technology, the sensor provides accurate ranging up to 400 cm with a 65-degree diagonal field of view.

The VL53L8CX integrates a new-generation VCSEL and two advanced metasurface lenses in an innovative "all in one" module. This enables high-performance use cases including low-power system activation, gesture recognition, SLAM for robotics, liquid level monitoring, and more.

Thanks to patented algorithms, the VL53L8CX can detect and track multiple targets within the FoV with a 64-zone depth measurement. STMicroelectronics' histograms ensure cover glass crosstalk immunity above 60 cm.

The VCSEL emits fully invisible 940 nm IR light with Class 1 laser safety certification (IEC 60825-1:2014). The sensor supports both SPI and I2C interfaces for high frequency frame rates and short boot times.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value
Package	Optical LGA16
Size	6.4 x 3.0 x 1.75 mm
Ranging Distance	2 to 400 cm per zone
AVDD Supply	3.3 V
Core Supply (CORE_1V8)	1.8 V
IOVDD Supply	1.2 V or 1.8 V
Operating Temperature	-30 to 85 C
Sample Rate	Up to 60 Hz
Infrared Emitter	940 nm VCSEL
I2C Interface	1 MHz, address 0x52
SPI Interface	Up to 3 MHz
Field of View (diagonal)	65 degrees
Zone Resolution	4x4 (16 zones) or 8x8 (64 zones)
Pin Count	16 (LGA)
Typical Power (continuous)	215 mW
Typical Power (autonomous, 1 Hz 4x4)	1.6 mW
Laser Safety	Class 1 (IEC 60825-1:2014)

Features

• Multizone distance measurement with either 4x4 or 8x8 separate zones
• Autonomous low-power mode with interrupt programmable threshold to wake up the host
• Ranging up to 400 cm with enhanced performance under ambient light
• Multitarget detection and distance measurement in each zone
• Histogram processing and algorithmic compensation to minimize cover glass crosstalk
• Motion indicator for each zone showing if targets have moved and how
• Frame rate capability of 60 Hz
• New generation high-power 940 nm invisible light VCSEL with integrated analog driver
• 65-degree diagonal square FoV using DOEs on both transmitter and receiver
• Receiving array of SPADs (single photon avalanche diodes)
• Low-power microcontroller running firmware
• Single reflowable component with no additional optics required
• I2C (up to 1 MHz) or SPI (up to 3 MHz) interface
• Compatible with wide range of cover glass materials, can be hidden behind dark cover glass

Pin Configuration

Pin	Name	Type	Description
A1	INT	I/O	Interrupt output, defaults to open drain (tristate), 47k pullup to IOVDD
A2	LPn	Input	Low-power mode control; drive low to disable I2C in LP mode, high to enable
A3	IOVDD	Power	1.2 V or 1.8 V I/O supply
A4	SDA / MOSI	I/O	I2C: bidirectional data, 2.2k pullup to IOVDD; SPI: main output secondary input
A5	SCL / MCLK	Input	I2C: clock, 2.2k pullup to IOVDD; SPI: main clock
A6	RSVD1	Reserved	Connect to ground
A7	RSVD2	Reserved	Connect to ground
B1	SYNC	I/O	General purpose I/O, defaults to open drain (tristate), 47k pullup to IOVDD
B4	THERMALPAD	Ground	Connect to ground plane for thermal conduction
B7	CORE_1V8	Power	1.8 V analog core supply
C1	SPI_I2C_N	Input	I2C: low selects I2C mode, also serves as I2C reset pin; SPI: connect to IOVDD
C2	NCS	Input	I2C: not used, connect to GND with 47k pulldown; SPI: active low chip select
C3	GND	Ground	Ground
C4	AVDD	Power	3.3 V analog and VCSEL supply
C5	MISO	Output	I2C: do not connect; SPI: main input secondary output, push-pull to IOVDD
C6	RSVD3	Reserved	Connect to ground
C7	GND	Ground	Ground

Absolute Maximum Ratings

Parameter	Min	Max	Unit
AVDD	-0.5	3.47	V
CORE_1V8	-0.5	1.98	V
IOVDD	-0.5	1.98	V

Recommended Operating Conditions

Parameter	Min	Typ	Max	Unit
AVDD supply	3.13	3.3	3.47	V
CORE_1V8 supply	1.62	1.8	1.98	V
IOVDD supply (1.2V config)	1.08	1.2	1.32	V
IOVDD supply (1.8V config)	1.62	1.8	1.98	V
Ambient temperature	-30	--	85	C

Electrical Characteristics

Current Consumption

Device State	AVDD Typ	AVDD Max	CORE_1V8 Typ	CORE_1V8 Max	IOVDD Typ	IOVDD Max	Unit
LP idle	55	390	0.01	0.5	0.5	2	uA
HP idle	1	1.6	3	17	0.0003	0.002	mA
Active ranging	43	50	50	80	0.003	0.006	mA

Typical Power Consumption

Mode	Power	Unit
Continuous (4x4 or 8x8)	215	mW
Autonomous 4x4, 1 Hz, 5 ms integration	1.6	mW
Autonomous 4x4, 5 Hz, 5 ms integration	12.5	mW
Autonomous 8x8, 1 Hz, 5 ms integration	6.7	mW
Autonomous 8x8, 5 Hz, 5 ms integration	32.3	mW

ESD Performance

Parameter	Specification	Conditions
Human body model	JEDEC JS-001-2014	+/- 2 kV, 1500 ohm, 100 pF
Charged body model	JEDEC JS-001-2014	+/- 500 V

Power Domains

The VL53L8CX requires three independent power supplies:

• CORE_1V8: 1.8 V analog core supply
• AVDD: 3.3 V analog and VCSEL supply
• IOVDD: 1.2 V or 1.8 V I/O supply (when 1.8 V, can share with CORE_1V8)

All three supplies should be applied and removed at the same time. Minimum slew rates must be met for proper power-on reset operation (AVDD: 0.001 V/us, CORE_1V8: 0.012 V/us, IOVDD: 0.012 V/us).

Communication Interface

I2C Interface

The I2C bus operates at up to 1 Mbit/s (fast mode plus) with a device 8-bit address of 0x52. Both SDA and SCL require pull-up resistors (2.2k ohm recommended). The interface supports autoincrement indexing with 16-bit register addresses.

SPI Interface

The SPI interface operates at up to 3 MHz using 4-wire configuration (NCS, MCLK, MOSI, MISO). Clock polarity = 1, clock phase = 1 (data captured on rising edge, propagated on falling edge). Address length is 15 bits, data length is 8 bits. Supports autoincrement read and write modes.

Software API

The host application controls the VL53L8CX through an API delivered as a C driver (and reference Linux driver). The driver provides high-level functions for device initialization, ranging start/stop, and mode select.

The device supports three power states:

• LP idle: Low-power idle with data retention, RAM and registers preserved
• HP idle: High-power idle, power-up state, required before starting ranging
• Ranging: Full operation with VCSEL actively pulsing

Transitions between states are controlled via I2C/SPI commands. Refer to UM3109 for detailed API usage.

Applications

• Robotic applications: SLAM, wall tracking, small object detection, cliff prediction, floor recognition
• System activation under ambient light for smart buildings and smart lighting
• Content management for tanks, loads in trucks, and waste bins
• Liquid level monitoring
• Gesture recognition
• Keystone correction for video projectors
• Augmented reality/Virtual reality enhancement with dual camera stereoscopy
• IoT and battery-powered devices for user and object detection
• Laser assisted autofocus (LAF) for camera systems in low light or low contrast scenes

Packages

Order Code	Package	Packing	Min Order Qty
VL53L8CXV0GC/1	Optical LGA16 with liner	Tape and reel	3600 pcs

Package Details

• Body size: 6.4 x 3.0 x 1.75 mm
• 16-pin land grid array (LGA) with thermal pad
• Dual-source cap assemblies with identical pad and substrate design
• Product marking: L8A-
• Moisture sensitivity level: MSL 3 (IPC/JEDEC JSTD-020-C)
• Storage temperature: -40 to 90 C
• Maximum compression force: 25 N
• Reflow: Pb-free convection reflow only (no vapor phase), peak 240 C recommended / 260 C max

Recommended Solder Profile

Parameter	Recommended	Maximum	Unit
Min preheat temp	130	150	C
Max preheat temp	200	200	C
Preheat time	90-110	60-120	s
Liquidus temp	217	217	C
Time above liquidus	55-65	55-65	s
Peak temperature	240	260	C
Time to peak	300	300	s
Ramp down rate	-4	-6	C/s