Time-of-Flight sensors

STMicroelectronics’s 4th generation of FlightSense™ sensors offer a multi-zone ranging sensor able to create a 64-zone mini depth map up to 4 m.

ST ToF sensors are an all-in-one (emitter, receiver, and processor) system for an easy, cost effective, and small footprint integration.

Benefits of FlightSense sensors

• True distance measurement, independent of target size, color, and reflectance
• Accurate and high-speed distance measurement
• All-in-one integrated module for easy integration
• Low power consumption
• Truly invisible 940nm illumination

What is FlightSense?

FlightSense is the trademark of the ST Time-of-Flight technology. The time-of-flight principle is based on the speed of the light. An emitter sends photons which are reflected by the target and detected by the receiver (called SPAD for Single Photon Avalanche Diode). The time difference between the emission and the reception provides the actual distance of the target in millimeters with a high accuracy.

ST's patented histogram algorithms enable measuring distances to multiple objects as well as increasing accuracy. In addition to increased cover-glass crosstalk immunity and improved ranging under ambient lighting, the histogram algorithms ensure real-time smudge compensation for applications operating in dirty industrial environments.

• Maximum distance measurement can reach 8 meters
• Multi-target detection and measurement in the FoV
• Smudge immunity above 60 cm

FlightSense proximity and ranging sensors are supplied with a complete documentation package, example source code and software APIs (application programming interface) which are compatible with a range of microcontrollers and processors. The application software development and the physical integration into OEM devices is simplified thanks to the X-NUCLEO expansion and breakout boards which are compatible with the STM32 ODE environment and STM32CubeMX graphical user interface and initialization code generator.

ST ToF sensors enable endless variety of use-cases and applications. Some of the most popular applications include:

• Obstacle detection for robotics and drones
• Gesture control
• User presence detection
• Liquid level measurement
• Inventory management
• Camera autofocus assist