The TFMini-S Micro LiDAR Module is a small, lightweight, and low-power Time-of-Flight (ToF) LiDAR sensor designed for distance sensing applications. It has a measuring range of up to 12 meters with a high accuracy of ±5cm and a data output rate of up to 100Hz. The module is easy to integrate with microcontrollers or single-board computers through UART communication and supports various communication protocols. It is commonly used in robotics, drones, and other applications that require accurate distance measurement.

 

Package Includes:

• 1 x TFMini-S Micro LiDAR Module
• 1 x Cable

 

Features:

• Measuring range: The module has a measuring range of up to 12 meters with a high accuracy of ±6cm at 0.1m to 6m and ±1% at 6m to 12m. This makes it suitable for a wide range of applications that require high-speed and accurate distance measurement.
• Distance resolution: The module has a distance resolution of 1cm, providing precise distance measurements.
• Frame rate: The module has a high frame rate of up to 100Hz, enabling it to capture fast-moving objects and provide real-time distance measurements.
• Ambient light immunity: The module has high ambient light immunity of up to 70 Klux, allowing it to operate reliably in bright sunlight or other high ambient light environments.
• Safe to use: The module has a Class 1 photobiological safety rating, making it safe for use in all environments and poses no risk to human health.
• Communication interface: The module can communicate through UART or I2C, and it supports various communication protocols, making it highly versatile and easy to use.
• Small and lightweight: The module has a small form factor, with a dimension of 42mm x 15mm x 16mm and weighs only 5g, making it ideal for use in applications that require a small and lightweight sensor.
• Low power consumption: The module has an average current consumption of ≤140mA, with a peak current consumption of 200mA, making it energy-efficient and suitable for battery-powered applications.

 

Description:

The TFMini-S Micro LiDAR Module is a small, lightweight, and low-power Time-of-Flight (ToF) LiDAR sensor designed for distance sensing applications. It uses a pulsed laser to measure the distance between the sensor and an object by measuring the time it takes for the laser pulse to reflect back to the sensor. The module has a measuring range of up to 12 meters with high accuracy of ±6cm at 0.1m to 6m and ±1% at 6m to 12m. It has a distance resolution of 1cm and a frame rate of 100Hz, making it suitable for applications that require high-speed and accurate distance measurement. One of the key features of the TFMini-S is its high ambient light immunity of up to 70 Klux, which allows it to operate reliably in bright sunlight or other high ambient light environments. The TFMini-S Micro LiDAR Module is easy to integrate with microcontrollers or single-board computers through UART communication or I2C communication, and it supports various communication protocols, making it highly versatile and easy to use. The module has a supply voltage of 5V and an average current consumption of ≤140mA, with a peak current consumption of 200mA. It has a small form factor, with a dimension of 42mm x 15mm x 16mm, and weighs only 5g, making it ideal for use in applications that require a small and lightweight sensor.

 

Principle of Work:

The Sparkfun TFMini - Micro LiDAR Module is a compact and reliable distance sensor that works on the principle of Time-of-Flight (ToF) LiDAR technology. It uses an infrared laser emitter to emit a pulsed beam of light and measures the time it takes for the light to reflect off an object and return to the sensor. By calculating the speed of light, the module can accurately determine the distance to the object. The module features a VCSEL (Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser) as its light source, which emits an infrared laser beam with a wavelength of 850nm. The beam is focused and directed by an optical lens onto the target object. The beam reflects back to the module and is captured by a detector that converts the reflected light into an electrical signal. The module then measures the time it takes for the laser beam to travel to the object and back to the module using a high-precision timer. The distance between the module and the object is then calculated based on the measured time and the speed of light. This distance measurement is then outputted through the module's communication interface, which is UART.

 

Pinout of the Board:

Pin Number	TFMini Pinout	Wire Color
1	UART_TX (3.3V TTL)	Green
2	UART_RX (3.3V TTL)	White
3	5V	Red
4	GND	Black

 

Applications:

1. Robotics: The module is commonly used in robotics for obstacle detection and avoidance and for autonomous navigation.
2. Drones: The module is used in drones for obstacle detection, altitude control, and precision landing.
3. Industrial automation: The module is used for measuring distances in industrial automation processes, such as conveyor belt monitoring and material handling.
4. Security systems: The module is used in security systems for intrusion detection and surveillance.
5. Traffic monitoring: The module is used in traffic monitoring systems for measuring distances between vehicles, and for detecting and monitoring traffic flow.
6. Agriculture: The module is used in agriculture for measuring crop height, plant density, and for monitoring irrigation systems.
7. Gaming: The module is used in gaming systems for motion detection.

 

Circuit:

The connections between the Sparkfun TFMini - Micro LiDAR Module and an Arduino:

TFMini Pin	Arduino Pin
VCC	5V
GND	GND
TX	D3
RX	D2

 

Library: 

To install the necessary libraries for the TFMini module in Arduino IDE, you can follow these steps:

1. Open the Arduino IDE and click on "Sketch" from the menu bar.
2. Click on "Include Library" from the dropdown menu.
3. Click on "Manage Libraries".
4. In the search bar, type "TFMini" and press Enter.
5. Select the "SparkFun TFMini Plus" library from the list and click on "Install".
6. Wait for the library to install, and once it's done, you can close the Library Manager.

 

Code:

 A simple code for interfacing the Sparkfun TFMini - Micro LiDAR Module with an Arduino:

#include "SoftwareSerial.h"
#include "TFMini.h"

SoftwareSerial SerialTFMini(2, 3); // Software serial instance for TFMini module

TFMini tfmini; // TFMini module instance

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200); // Initialize hardware serial port (for debugging)
  while (!Serial); // Wait for serial port to connect (needed for native USB port only)
  Serial.println("Initializing...");
  
  SerialTFMini.begin(TFMINI_BAUDRATE); // Initialize software serial port for TFMini module
  tfmini.begin(&SerialTFMini); // Begin communication with TFMini module
}

void loop() {
  int distance = 0;
  int strength = 0;
  
  // Read distance and signal strength from the TFMini module
  tfmini.getDistance(&distance, &strength);
  
  // If distance is 0 (invalid value), keep trying to get a valid distance
  while (distance == 0) {
    tfmini.getDistance(&distance, &strength);
  }
  
  // Print the distance and signal strength
  Serial.print(distance);
  Serial.print(" cm\t");
  Serial.print("strength: ");
  Serial.println(strength);
  
  delay(100);
}

• The code uses the SoftwareSerial library to create a software serial instance for the TFMini module and initializes the module using the begin() method of the TFMini library. The getDistance() method of the TFMini library is used to read the distance and signal strength from the module, and the results are printed to the serial port using the Serial.println() method. The code also includes error handling to ensure that only valid distances are printed.

 

Technical Details: 

• Operating Range:
  • 0.1m~12m@90%Reflectivity
  • 0.1~7m@10% Reflectivity
  • 0.1m~12m@90%Reflectivity（70Klux）
  • 0.1~7m@10% Reflectivity（70Klux)
• Accuracy:
  • ±6cm@（0.1-6m)
  • ±1%@（6m-12m）
• Distance Resolution: 1cm
• Frame Rate: 100Hz
• Ambient light immunity: 70Klux
• Operating Temperature: 0℃~60℃
• Light source: VCSEL
• Central wavelength: 850nm
• Photobiological safety: Class1（EN60825）
• FOV: 2°2
• Supply voltage: 5V±0.1V
• Average current: ≤140mA
• Power consumption: ≤0.7W
• Peak current: 200mA
• Communication level: LVTTL（3.3V）
• Communication interface: UART / I2C
• Dimension: 42mmx15mmx16mm (LxWxH)
• Housing: PC/ABS
• Storage temperature: -20℃~75℃
• Weight: 5g±0.3g
• Cable length: 10cm

Resources:

• Datasheet
• Product Manual
  
  

Comparisons:

The TFMini and GP2Y0A41SK0F are both distance sensors but they use different technologies to operate.

• The TFMini is a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor, which uses laser light to calculate distances. It has a range of 0.1m to 12m and a resolution of 1cm. It also has a fast response time of 100Hz, which makes it suitable for applications that require real-time distance measurement. The TFMini uses UART or I2C communication interfaces and is relatively small and lightweight, making it suitable for use in drones, robots, and other applications where size and weight are important factors.
• The GP2Y0A41SK0F, on the other hand, is an infrared proximity sensor that uses an infrared LED and phototransistor to calculate distances. It has a range of 4cm to 30cm and a resolution of 1cm. It has a slower response time compared to the TFMini, and is more suitable for applications that don't require real-time distance measurement. The GP2Y0A41SK0F uses an analog output signal and requires an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to interface with a microcontroller.