# Optical Sensors - Distance Measuring **URL:** \ **Category:** Product Selection Guide\ **Tags:** sensors-transducers, automation-and-control, optical-sensors\ **Created:** [May 27, 2023, 8:41am UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/optical-sensors-distance-measuring/31223 "2023-05-27T08:41:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![shawn\_adams](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/digikey/user_avatar/forum.digikey.com/shawn_adams/32/25203_2.png) [@shawn\_adams](https://forum.digikey.com/u/shawn_adams)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2023, 8:41am UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/optical-sensors-distance-measuring/31223/1 "2023-05-27T08:41:54Z")
This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the Optical Sensors - Distance Measuring category on [DigiKey.com](http://DigiKey.com) > [Optical distance measuring sensors](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/filter/optical-sensors/distance-measuring/542) employ the use of light in some fashion to gauge the distance between the sensor and an object. Devices designed for simple distance measurement to a single dominant object in the sensor’s field of view, as well as LiDAR devices useful for mapping the distance to nearby objects surrounding the sensor are included. **Selection**** Characteristics** Specifications to determine which optical distance measuring sensor is right for your application. > **Sensing Distance:** The range at which the distance measuring sensor can sense an input and give a valid output. > **Output Type:** Indicates the type of electrical signal the device provides, such as analog, digital, I2C, etc. > **Voltage - Supply:** Typically represented by a range, this indicates the low and high voltage limits which one can expect standard operation. Voltages outside this range may damage the device and other system components. > **Current - Supply:** This rating indicates the nominal amount of current you would expect the device to draw during normal operation. > **Voltage – Output Difference (Typ) @ Distance:** For analog-output sensors, the typical change in output voltage as a sensed object is moved through the range of distances indicated. > **Voltage – Output (Typ) @ Distance:** For analog-output sensors, the typical output voltage produced when sensing an object at the distance indicated. > **Operating Temperature:** Recommended operating temperature, typically given in a range or as a maximum. Exceeding these temperatures may affect performance or damage the device and other system components. **Product**** Examples** [![Image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/digikey/original/3X/4/d/4d5fba9ab3bf573c8428e4f0c8b844ab8a589e9a.jpeg)](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/stmicroelectronics/VL53L3CXV0DH-1/11658305) | MFR PART # | VL53L3CXV0DH/1 | | --- | --- | | DIGIKEY PART # | [497-VL53L3CXV0DH/1TR-ND - Tape & Reel (TR)](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/stmicroelectronics/VL53L3CXV0DH-1/11658305) | | MANUFACTURER | STMicroelectronics | | DESCRIPTION | Optical Sensor 10mm ~ 310cm I²C Output | | DATASHEET | [Click Here](https://www.st.com/resource/en/datasheet/vl53l3cx.pdf) | [![Image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/digikey/original/3X/d/7/d707acf6b3af94c2247890cd4ecc6531baa425fe.jpeg)](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/sharp-socle-technology/GP2Y0A51SK0F/4103863) | MFR PART # | GP2Y0A51SK0F | | --- | --- | | DIGIKEY PART # | [1855-1027-ND](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/sharp-socle-technology/GP2Y0A51SK0F/4103863) | | MANUFACTURER | SHARP/Socle Technology | | DESCRIPTION | Optical Sensor 2 ~ 15cm Analog Output | | DATASHEET | [Click Here](https://global.sharp/products/device/lineup/data/pdf/datasheet/gp2y0a51sk_e.pdf) | [![Image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/digikey/original/3X/5/3/5320ac47a509349c2fb7692a2c17734083d342ba.jpeg)](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/sparkfun-electronics/SEN-14599/9341917) | MFR PART # | SEN-14599 | | --- | --- | | DIGIKEY PART # | [1568-1867-ND](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/sparkfun-electronics/SEN-14599/9341917) | | MANUFACTURER | SparkFun Electronics | | DESCRIPTION | Optical Sensor 1.97" ~ 1574.804" (5 ~ 4000cm) I²C, PWM Output | | DATASHEET | [Click Here](https://cdn.sparkfun.com/assets/9/a/6/a/d/LIDAR_Lite_v3HP_Operation_Manual_and_Technical_Specifications.pdf) | [![Image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/digikey/original/3X/b/0/b0a404fcc298b9a218f9d655cf380110317ec715.jpeg)](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/broadcom-limited/AFBR-S50MV85G/9808765) | MFR PART # | AFBR-S50MV85G | | --- | --- | | DIGIKEY PART # | [516-4328-ND](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/broadcom-limited/AFBR-S50MV85G/9808765) | | MANUFACTURER | Broadcom Limited | | DESCRIPTION | Optical Sensor 393.7" (10m) 32.8’ SPI Output | | DATASHEET | [Click Here](https://docs.broadcom.com/doc/AFBR-S50MV85G-DS) | [![Image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/digikey/original/3X/d/d/ddb532907d67c88dce26687f1feeeb0bca34929a.jpeg)](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/banner-engineering-corporation/Q4XTILAF300-Q8/10651230?_ga=2.65055278.1663226242.1685171836-2100817636.1685171836) | MFR PART # | Q4XTILAF300-Q8 | | --- | --- | | DIGIKEY PART # | [2170-Q4XTILAF300-Q8-ND](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/banner-engineering-corporation/Q4XTILAF300-Q8/10651230) | | MANUFACTURER | Banner Engineering Corporation | | DESCRIPTION | Optical Sensor 0.98" ~ 11.81" (3 ~ 30cm) Output | | DATASHEET | [Click Here](https://info.bannerengineering.com/cs/groups/public/documents/literature/185624.pdf) | **Media**** Links** Videos [Seeed Seeedstudio Grove - TF Mini LiDAR](https://www.digikey.com/en/videos/s/seeed-tech/seeed-seeedstudio-grove--tf-mini-lidar--digikey-daily) [Adafruit VL53L0X Time-of-Flight Distance Sensor](https://www.digikey.com/en/videos/a/adafruit/adafruit-vl53l0x-timeofflight-distance-sensor--maker-minute) [OD Mini from SICK: Short-Range Displacement Distance Sensor](https://www.digikey.com/en/videos/s/sick/od-mini-from-sick-shortrange-displacement-distance-sensor) Articles [ToF Sensors Provide Accurate Distance Sensing](https://www.digikey.com/en/articles/fundamentals-distance-measurement-gesture-recognition-tof-sensors) [Simplifying Time-of-Flight Distance Measurements](https://www.digikey.com/en/articles/simplifying-time-of-flight-distance-measurements) Product Training Modules [iSYS-6030 Radar System - InnoSenT](https://www.digikey.com/en/ptm/i/innosent/isys-6030-radar-system-for-distance-measurement) TechForum [TechForum Articles on Distance Sensors](https://forum.digikey.com/search?q=distance%20sensor) ### If you have any questions on the specifications for selecting a [Distance Sensor](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/filter/dc-dc-converters/922), please reply using the button below. If you have questions on a specific distance sensor please post those questions in the [Sensors, Transducers](https://forum.digikey.com/c/automation/sensors-transducers/102) category.