3-Channel Wide FOV Time-of-Flight Distance Sensor Using OPT3101 (No Headers)

This board is a 3-channel time-of-flight proximity and distance sensor module based on the OPT3101 IC from Texas Instruments. Unlike conventional IR sensors that use the intensity of reflected light to estimate the distance to an object, this board emits 940 nm infrared light pulsed at 10 MHz, and then measures the phase (delay) of the reflected signal, which corresponds to the distance to the target object. It also measures the amplitude of the signal, which indicates how bright/reflective/close the object is.

This board has three channels that each cover approximately 50° to 60°, giving the sensor a wide field of view (FOV). In favorable conditions, the sensor can measure objects at distances up to 1 m. Distance measurements are available through the sensor’s I²C interface, which is also used to configure the sensor.

This module is designed to be mounted onto the 7-pin connector on the front of a TI-RSLK MAX chassis board, but it can be used with any I²C-capable device. The board can be powered from a 2.5 V to 5.5 V supply. On-board regulators supply the 3.3 V logic voltage to the OPT3101. The board includes a circuit that shifts the I²C clock and data lines to the same logic voltage level as the supplied VIN, making it simple to interface the board with 3.3 V or 5 V systems, and the board’s 0.1″ pin spacing makes it easy to use with standard solderless breadboards and 0.1″ perfboards.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 1.1″ × 1.2″ (27.9 mm × 30.5 mm)
• Weight without header pins: 2.7 g (0.095 oz)
• Operating voltage: 2.5 V to 5.5 V
• Sensor channels: 3 (each with an FOV of approximately 50° – 60° for a combined FOV of nearly 180°)
• Supply current: 130 mA (typical average during operation in high-brightness mode with 3.3 V power supply)
• Distance measuring range: up to 1 m (3.3 ft) (depends on the target object; see the FAQs tab for more information on distance measurement accuracy)

Connections

Four connections are necessary to use the OPT3101 board: GND, VIN, SDA, and SCL. The VIN pin should be connected to a 2.5 V to 5.5 V source, and GND should be connected to 0 volts. The board’s I²C pins (SCL and SDA) should be connected to an I²C bus operating at the same logic level as VIN.Pinout