TOF050C Laser Ranging Sensor Module - VL6180 Chip, I2C Interface, 0-50cm Range

The TOF050C module communicates exclusively via the I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) serial protocol. It uses standard I2C read and write commands to report distance measurements and configure settings. The module's I2C address is typically set by the VL6180 chip and can be found in its datasheet, allowing for easy daisy-chaining with other I2C peripherals on the same bus.

The module operates from 3.0V to 5.0V DC, making it fully compatible with both 3.3V and 5V logic systems. When powered at 3.3V, the I2C communication lines will be at 3.3V logic levels, allowing direct connection to microcontrollers like the ESP32 or STM32 without requiring level shifters. Ensure your power supply can provide the required maximum current of 40 mA.

The dead zone is the 0 to 2 cm range directly in front of the sensor where accurate distance measurement is not possible due to optical and signal processing limitations of the VL6180 chip. Objects placed within this zone may return unreliable or out-of-range values. For reliable operation, targets should be positioned beyond 2 cm from the sensor's face.

Connect the module's VCC and GND pins to Arduino's 3.3V or 5V and GND respectively. Connect the SDA and SCL pins to the corresponding I2C pins on your Arduino (e.g., A4/A5 on Uno). Use an existing library for the VL6180X sensor, such as the one by Pololu or STMicroelectronics, to initialize the sensor and read distance values directly in millimeters via simple function calls.