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UM2657
User manual
How to use the VL6180 proximity sensor X-NUCLEO-6180A1 expansion board
with the STM32 Nucleo board
Introduction
This user manual provides detailed hardware information on the X-NUCLEO-6180A1 expansion board (see figure below). This
board is designed around the VL6180 proximity sensor and it is compatible with the STM32 Nucleo and Arduino Uno boards.
The document provides an introduction to the proximity sensing capabilities of the VL6180 module which is based on ST's
patented Time-of-Flight (ToF) technology. Several ST expansion boards can be superposed through the Arduino connectors,
which allow development of VL6180 applications with Bluetooth or WiFi interfaces.
Figure 1. X-NUCLEO-6180A1 expansion board
Table 1. Ordering information
Order code Description
X-NUCLEO-6180A1 X-NUCLEO-6180A1 expansion board for use with STM32 Nucleo board
References
• VL6180 datasheet: Time-of-Flight proximity sensor and IR emitter two-in-one module
• X-NUCLEO-6180A1 data brief: Proximity Time-of-Flight sensor expansion board based on VL6180 for STM32 Nucleo
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For further information contact your local STMicroelectronics sales office.
www.st.com
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1 Hardware description
This section describes the X-NUCLEO-6180A1 expansion board features and provides information on the
electrical schematics.
Figure 2. X-NUCLEO-6180A1 expansion board block diagram
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Hardware description
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1.1 Board description
The X-NUCLEO-6180A1 expansion board allows the user to test the VL6180 functionality and program it. Also,
advice is given on how to develop an application using the VL6180. The X-NUCLEO-6180A1 expansion board
integrates:
• a 4-digit display to render the range value in mm
• a 2.8 V regulator to supply the VL6180
• two level shifters to adapt the I/O level to the microcontroller main board
• the necessary connectivity for the application
It is fundamental to program a microcontroller to control the VL6180 through the I2C bus and drive the 4-digit
display on-board. Application software and examples of C-ANSI source code are available on www.st.com/
VL6180.
The X-NUCLEO-6180A1 expansion board and STM32 Nucleo are connected through Arduino compatible
connectors CN5, CN6, CN8 and CN9 as shown and described in the figure and tables below.
The Arduino connectors on the STM32 Nucleo board support Arduino Uno revision 3.
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Board description
Figure 3. Arduino connector layout
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Table 2. Arduino left connector on STM32 Nucleo board
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Board description
CN number
X-NUCLEO-6180A1
expansion board
Pin number Pin name MCU pin
X-NUCLEO-6180A1 expansion board
function
1 NC
VIO 2 VIO Level shifter reference (3.3 V)
3 NC
CN6 power
Power 4 3V3 3.3 V supply
5 NC
Gnd 6 Gnd Gnd Gnd
Gnd 7 Gnd Gnd Gnd
8 NC —
1 NC
2 NC
Interrupt signal from X-NUCLEO-6180A1
bottom breakout plug-in
Interrupt signal from X-NUCLEO-6180A1 on-
board soldered device
Interrupt signal from X-NUCLEO-6180A1
bottom breakout plug-in
Interrupt signal from X-NUCLEO-6180A1 on-
board soldered device
CN8 analog
GPIO1_B 3 INT_B PA4
GPIO1 4 INT PB0
GPIO1_B 5 INT_B*
GPIO1 6 INT*
PC1 or PB9
(1)
PC1 or PB8
(1)
1. Depends on Nucleo board solder bridges (see details on Nucleo board documentation). These interrupt signals are
duplicated, but not used which offers the hardware connection flexibility in case of a conflict on the MCU interface when the
expansion board is used superposed with other expansion boards. In such cases, remove the 0-ohm resistor from the
current interrupt and connect it in place of the “do not mount” resistor.
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Table 3. Arduino right connector on STM32 Nucleo board
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Board description
CN number
X-NUCLEO-6180A1
expansion board
Pin number Pin name MCU pin
X-NUCLEO-6180A1 expansion board
function
SCL 10 D15 PB8 I2C1_SCL
SDA 9 D14 PB9 I2C1_SDA
8 NC
Gnd 7 Gnd Gnd Gnd
Interrupt signal from X-NUCLEO-6180A1 left
breakout plug-in
CN5 digital
GPIO1_L 6 INT_L PA5
5 NC
4 NC
3 NC
2 NC
GPIO1_L 1 INT_L* PA9
Interrupt signal from X-NUCLEO-6180A1 left
breakout plug-in
(1)
8 NC
7 NC
6 NC
GPIO1_R 5 INT_R* PB5
CN9 digital
Interrupt signal from X-NUCLEO-6180A1 right
breakout plug-in
(1)
4 NC
GPIO1_R 3 INT_R PA10
Interrupt signal from X-NUCLEO-6180A1 right
breakout plug-in
2 NC
1 NC
1. These interrupt signals are duplicated, but not used which offers the hardware connection flexibility in case of a conflict on
the MCU interface when the expansion board is used superposed with other expansion boards. In such cases, remove the
0-ohm resistor from the current interrupt and connect it in place of the “do not mount” resistor.
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The X-NUCLEO-6180A1 expansion board allows up to three VL6180 breakout boards to be connected to it (see
Figure 4. Connections of VL6180 breakout boards). This allows the development of applications that can control
up to four VL6180 devices.
The I2C bus is shared with the VL6180 on-board I2C bus. The GPIO1 (interrupt) pins and GPIO0 (reset) pins are
separate pins to control each sensor separately.
The GPIO1 signals are output on the Arduino connectors and the GPIO0 signals are controlled through the GPIO
expander device. Refer to Figure 3. Arduino connector layout and Figure 11. X-NUCLEO-6180A1 expansion
board with GPIO expander for detailed connectivity.
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Figure 4. Connections of VL6180 breakout boards
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Board description
Note: The VL6180 breakout boards can be ordered under the reference: VL6180-SATEL
Figure 5. VL6180 SATEL (2x breakout boards)
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1.2 Electrical schematics and list of materials
The figures of this section describe the electrical schematics for each type of board function. The relevant lists of
materials are also presented.
Figure 6. X-NUCLEO-6180A1 expansion board with VL6180 application
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Electrical schematics and list of materials
Table 4. List of material for VL6180 application
Reference
C1, C5 100 nF
C2 4.7 µF Ceramic - 6 V - decoupling
R1, R2 47 kΩ Pull up - in a final product, could be in a 0402 package
R15, R16 4.7 kΩ Pull up - in a final product, could be in a 0402 package and used for several devices
S1 VL6180 Module Proximity module
Value Package Comment
Ceramic - decoupling - in a final product, could be in a 0402 package
0603
Figure 7. X-NUCLEO-6180A1 expansion board with 2.8 V supply regulator
Note: This regulator is requested to convert the 3.3 V coming from the Nucleo or Arduino boards to 2.8 V. In a final
product, the 2.8 V regulator (if it exists) can be used to supply the VL6180.
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Electrical schematics and list of materials
Figure 8. X-NUCLEO-6180A1 expansion board with level shifters
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The level shifters are used only to provide adequate voltage for the I/O’s and I2C bus which allows a 5 V Arduino
board to be connected without hardware modifications. In a final product, depending on the power management
tree, the level shifters could be omitted.
Figure 9. X-NUCLEO-6180A1 expansion board with breakout board connector
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Electrical schematics and list of materials
Figure 10. X-NUCLEO-6180A1 expansion board with display control
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Figure 11. X-NUCLEO-6180A1 expansion board with GPIO expander
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Table 5. List of materials for other features
Reference Value Package Comment
2v8 regulator
C3, C4 10 µF 0805
R4 20 kΩ
R5 50 kΩ
U1 LD39050PUR DFN6 Regulator
Level shifters
C6, C9 1 µF
R17, R18, R19, R20 4.7 kΩ
U2, U3 ST2329AQTR QFN10 Level shifter
External VL6180 and Nucleo_Arduino connectors
R14 47 kΩ 0603
R26 10 kΩ 0603
Display control
R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13 300 Ω
R28, R29, R30, R31 100 kΩ
Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 SI2333 SOT23 P channel MOSFET
Display1 ATA2453BG-1 4 digits
GPIO expander
U4 STMPE1600 QFN24 STMicroelectronics
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Electrical schematics and list of materials
0603
0603C7, C8, C10, C11 100 nF
0603
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2 Safety considerations
2.1 Electrostatic precaution
It is important to exercise electrostatic precautions when using the X-NUCLEO-6180A1 expansion board e.g. use
ground straps. Failure to prevent electrostatic discharge could damage the device.
2.2 Laser safety
The VL6180 contains a laser emitter and corresponding drive circuitry. The laser output is designed to remain
within Class 1 laser safety limits under all reasonably foreseeable conditions, including single faults, in
compliance with the IEC 60825-1:2007. The laser output remains within Class 1 limits as long as the
STMicroelectronics recommended device settings are used and the operating conditions specified in the
datasheet are respected. The laser output power must not be increased and no optics should be used with the
intention of focusing the laser beam.
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Safety considerations
Figure 12. Electrostatic logo
Figure 13. Class 1 laser product label
Compliance
The VL6180 laser emitter and corresponding drive circuitry comply with 21 CFR 1040.10 and 1040.11 except for
deviations conforming with the laser notice No.50, dated June 24, 2007.
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Revision history
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Table 6. Document revision history
Date Version Changes
10-Mar-2020 1 Initial release
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Contents
Contents
1 Hardware description ..............................................................2
1.1 Board description ..............................................................3
1.2 Electrical schematics and list of materials ..........................................7
2 Safety considerations.............................................................11
2.1 Electrostatic precaution ........................................................11
2.2 Laser safety ..................................................................11
Revision history .......................................................................12
Contents ..............................................................................13
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© 2020 STMicroelectronics – All rights reserved
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