This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the Optical Sensors - Distance Measuring category on DigiKey.com
Optical distance measuring sensors 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.
SelectionCharacteristics
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.
ProductExamples
| MFR PART # | VL53L3CXV0DH/1 |
|---|---|
| DIGI-KEY PART # | 497-VL53L3CXV0DH/1TR-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | STMicroelectronics |
| DESCRIPTION | Optical Sensor 10mm ~ 310cm I²C Output |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | GP2Y0A51SK0F |
|---|---|
| DIGI-KEY PART # | 1855-1027-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | SHARP/Socle Technology |
| DESCRIPTION | Optical Sensor 2 ~ 15cm Analog Output |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | SEN-14599 |
|---|---|
| DIGI-KEY PART # | 1568-1867-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | SparkFun Electronics |
| DESCRIPTION | Optical Sensor 1.97" ~ 1574.804" (5 ~ 4000cm) I²C, PWM Output |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | AFBR-S50MV85G |
|---|---|
| DIGI-KEY PART # | 516-4328-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Broadcom Limited |
| DESCRIPTION | Optical Sensor 393.7" (10m) 32.8’ SPI Output |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | Q4XTILAF300-Q8 |
|---|---|
| DIGI-KEY PART # | 2170-Q4XTILAF300-Q8-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Banner Engineering Corporation |
| DESCRIPTION | Optical Sensor 0.98" ~ 11.81" (3 ~ 30cm) Output |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
MediaLinks
Videos
Seeed Seeedstudio Grove - TF Mini LiDAR
Adafruit VL53L0X Time-of-Flight Distance Sensor
OD Mini from SICK: Short-Range Displacement Distance Sensor
Articles
ToF Sensors Provide Accurate Distance Sensing
Simplifying Time-of-Flight Distance Measurements
Product Training Modules
iSYS-6030 Radar System - InnoSenT
TechForum
TechForum Articles on Distance Sensors