ST X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 User manual

Introduction
The X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 is an expansion board for any STM32 Nucleo development board equipped with the Arduino R3
connectors. It provides a complete evaluation kit that allows you to learn, evaluate, and develop applications using the
VL53L7CX Time-of-Flight 8x8 multizone ranging sensor with 90° FoV.
The expansion board is delivered with a cover glass holder in which you can fit three different spacers of 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mm
height below the cover glass to simulate various air gaps. A small oval cover glass fitting the sensor is included.
Several ST expansion boards can be stacked through the Arduino connectors, which allow, for example, the development of
VL53L7CX applications with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi interfaces.
Figure 1. X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 expansion board, spacers, cover glass holder, and oval cover glass
Getting started with the X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 expansion board for STM32 Nucleo
based on the VL53L7CX
UM3067
User manual
UM3067 - Rev 1 - October 2022
For further information contact your local STMicroelectronics sales office. www.st.com

1Getting started
1.1 Safety considerations
1.1.1 Electrostatic precautions
Warning: Take electrostatic precautions, including ground straps, when using the X-NUCLEO-53L7A1
expansion board. Failure to prevent electrostatic discharge could damage the device.
Figure 2. Electrostatic logo
1.1.2 Laser safety considerations
The VL53L7CX contains a laser emitter and the corresponding drive circuitry.
The laser output is designed to remain within Class 1 laser safety limits under all reasonable foreseeable
conditions, including single faults, in compliance with the IEC 60825-1:2014 (third edition).
The laser output remains within Class 1 limits as long as you use the STMicroelectronics recommended device
settings and respect the operating conditions specified in the data sheet.
The laser output power must not be increased and no optics should be used with the intention of focusing the
laser beam.
Figure 3. Class 1 laser product label
1.2 Features
•VL53L7CX Time-of-Flight 8x8 multizone ranging sensor with 90° FoV
• Accurate absolute ranging distance, independent of the reflectance of the target
• Up to 350 cm ranging
• Histogram-based technology
• Multiobject detection capability
• 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mm spacers to simulate air gaps
• One cover glass to protect the sensor from dust
• Compatible with STM32 Nucleo development boards
• Equipped with Arduino® UNO R3 connectors
• Full system software supplied, including code examples and graphical user interface
• RoHS, CE, UKCA, and China RoHS compliant
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Getting started
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1.3 VL53L7CX Time-of-Flight sensor characteristics
• Laser wavelength: 940 nm
•Invisible laser radiation
• Maximum laser power emitted: 130 mW
• Integration time: 2 ms minimum
1.4 Spacers and covers
The X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 expansion board is delivered with:
•three spacers of 0.25 mm, 0.5 mm, and 1 mm height, used to simulate different air gaps between the
VL53L7CX and the rectangular-shaped cover glass;
• two nine-pin headers that allow connecting the two breakout boards to the X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 expansion
board.
Attention: The VL53L7CX is delivered with a liner to prevent potential foreign material from piercing the module holes
during the assembly process. Remove this liner before use.
1.5 Ordering information
Table 1. Ordering information
Order code Core product
X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 VL53L7CX
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VL53L7CX Time-of-Flight sensor characteristics
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2Simplified schematic
Figure 4. X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 expansion board - simplified schematic
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Simplified schematic
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3Using the expansion board
The X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 expansion board allows the user to test the VL53L7CX sensor functionality, to program it
and to understand how to develop an application using this sensor.
The X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 integrates:
• the VL53L7CX sensor;
• Arduino UNO R3 connectors;
• Connectors for SATEL-VL53L7CX optional breakout boards;
Important: Program a microcontroller to control the VL53L7CX through the I2C bus.
The application software and an example of the C-ANSI source code are available on the sensor web page.
The X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 expansion board can be connected to the STM32 Nucleo development board through
the Arduino UNO R3 connectors (CN5, CN6, CN8, and CN9) as shown in Figure 4.
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Using the expansion board
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4Breakout boards
The X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 package does not include the VL53L7CX breakout boards.
You can purchase them in a pack of two PCBs as SATEL-VL53L7CX.
The X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 supplies the VL53L7CX breakout boards at 3.3 V (see Figure 4).
For mechanical integration purposes, it could be interesting to use the mini PCB by breaking the SATEL-
VL53L7CX along the red line as shown in the figure below. It is easier to integrate this setup into a customer's
device thanks to its small size.
Figure 5. SATEL-VL53L7CX
The SATEL-VL53L7CX boards can be directly plugged onto the X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 through the two 9-pin
headers (see Figure 6. SATEL-VL53L7CX breakout boards connected to the X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 expansion
board).
As an alternative, they can be connected to the X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 by using the mini PCB through flying wires
(see Figure 7).
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Breakout boards
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Figure 6. SATEL-VL53L7CX breakout boards connected to the X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 expansion board
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Breakout boards
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Figure 7. VL53L7CX mini PCB flying wire connection to the X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 expansion board
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Breakout boards
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5Graphical user interface (GUI) and programming example for the
X-NUCLEO-53L7A1
To evaluate the VL53L7CX device performance, use the related GUI.
The X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 expansion board requires the NUCLEO-F401RE development board to use the GUI.
Important: Despite the fact that the X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 can be stacked on any STM32 Nucleo board equipped the Arduino
R3 connectors, the GUI is designed to work with the NUCLEO-F401RE only.
Download the GUI (in the Tools and Software tab of the X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 web page) to evaluate the
VL53L7CX.
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Graphical user interface (GUI) and programming example for the X-NUCLEO-53L7A1
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6Schematic diagrams
Figure 8. X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 circuit schematic (1 of 5)
INT
LPn
SCL
SDA
I2C_RST
PWR_EN
Sensor.SchDoc
PWR_EN
INT
LPn
SDA
I2C_RST
SCL
Right
Satellite Connector.SchDoc
PWR_EN
INT
LPn
SCL
I2C_RST
SDA
Left
Satellite Connector.SchDoc
PA1
PA0
PA3
PA4
PA2
PA6
PA5
PA7
PA8
PA10
PA9
PC1
PC0
PC7
PB0
PB10
PB6
PB5
PB4
PB3
PB8
PB9
Host.SchDoc
3V3
R1
2.2k
R2
2.2k
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Schematic diagrams
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