VL6180

Proximity sensing module

Datasheet - production data

Applications
 Laser Assisted Auto Focus
 Smartphones/portable touchscreen devices
 Tablet/laptop/gaming devices
 Domestic appliances/industrial devices

Description
The VL6180 is the latest product based on ST’s
patented FlightSense™ technology. This is a
Features ground-breaking technology allowing absolute
distance to be measured independent of target
 Two-in-one smart optical module reflectance. Instead of estimating the distance by
– VCSEL light source measuring the amount of light reflected back from
– Proximity sensor the object (which is significantly influenced by
color and surface), the VL6180 precisely
 Fast, accurate distance ranging measures the time the light takes to travel to the
– Measures absolute range from 0 to 62 cm nearest object and reflect back to the sensor
max (depending on conditions) (Time-of-Flight). 
– Independent of object reflectance Combining an IR emitter and a range sensor in a
– Ambient light rejection two-in-one ready-to-use reflowable package, the
– Cross-talk compensation for cover glass VL6180 is easy to integrate and saves the end-
product maker long and costly optical and
 Gesture recognition mechanical design optimizations. 
– Distance and signal level can be used by The module is designed for low power operation.
host system to implement gesture Ranging measurements can be automatically
recognition performed at user defined intervals. Multiple
– Demo systems (implemented on Android threshold and interrupt schemes are supported to
smartphone platform) available. minimize host operations.
 Easy integration Host control and result reading is performed using
an I2C interface. Optional additional functions,
– Single reflowable component
such as measurement ready and threshold
– No additional optics interrupts, are provided by two programmable
– Single power supply GPIO pins.
– I2C interface for device control and data A complete API is also associated with the device
– Provided with a documented C portable which consists of a set of C functions controlling
API (Application Programming Interface) the VL6180 to enable fast development of end-
user applications. This API is structured in a way
 Two programmable GPIO
that it can be compiled on any kind of platform
– Window and thresholding functions for through a well isolated platform layer (mainly for
ranging low level I2C access).

July 2021 DocID024986 Rev 14 1/73

This is information on a product in full production. www.st.com
Contents VL6180

Contents

1 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
1.1 Technical specification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
1.2 System block diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
1.3 Device pinout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
1.4 Typical application schematic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
1.5 Recommended solder pad dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
1.6 Recommended reflow profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

2 Functional description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.1 Ranging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.2 System state diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.3 Timing diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2.4 Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2.5 Operating modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.5.1 Polling mode - single shot measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.5.2 Interrupt mode - continuous measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2.5.3 Asynchronous mode - single shot measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
2.6 Range timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
2.7 Range error codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
2.8 Range checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
2.8.1 Early convergence estimate (ECE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
2.8.2 Range ignore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
2.8.3 Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
2.9 Manual/autoVHV calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
2.10 History buffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
2.11 Wrap Around Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
2.12 Scaling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
2.13 Maximum ranging distance (Dmax) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
2.14 Current consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
2.14.1 Ranging current consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
2.14.2 Current consumption calculator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
2.14.3 Current distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

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2.15 Other system considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

2.15.1 Part-to-part range offset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
2.15.2 Cross-talk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
2.15.3 Offset calibration procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
2.15.4 Cross-talk calibration procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
2.15.5 Cross-talk limit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
2.15.6 Cross-talk vs air gap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

3 Ranging specification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
3.1 Proximity ranging (0 to 100mm) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
3.1.1 Max range vs. ambient light level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
3.2 Extended range (>100mm) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
3.2.1 Extended range conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
3.2.2 Max range vs. ambient light level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

4 I2C control interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

4.1 I2C interface - timing characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

5 Electrical characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
5.1 Absolute maximum ratings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
5.2 Normal operating conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
5.3 Electrical characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

6 Device registers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
6.1 Register encoding formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
6.2 Register descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
6.2.1 IDENTIFICATION__MODEL_ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
6.2.2 IDENTIFICATION__MODEL_REV_MAJOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
6.2.3 IDENTIFICATION__MODEL_REV_MINOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
6.2.4 IDENTIFICATION__MODULE_REV_MAJOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
6.2.5 IDENTIFICATION__MODULE_REV_MINOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
6.2.6 IDENTIFICATION__DATE_HI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
6.2.7 IDENTIFICATION__DATE_LO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
6.2.8 IDENTIFICATION__TIME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
6.2.9 SYSTEM__MODE_GPIO0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
6.2.10 SYSTEM__MODE_GPIO1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

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Contents VL6180

6.2.11 SYSTEM__HISTORY_CTRL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
6.2.12 SYSTEM__INTERRUPT_CONFIG_GPIO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
6.2.13 SYSTEM__INTERRUPT_CLEAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
6.2.14 SYSTEM__FRESH_OUT_OF_RESET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
6.2.15 SYSTEM__GROUPED_PARAMETER_HOLD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
6.2.16 SYSRANGE__START . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
6.2.17 SYSRANGE__THRESH_HIGH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
6.2.18 SYSRANGE__THRESH_LOW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
6.2.19 SYSRANGE__INTERMEASUREMENT_PERIOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
6.2.20 SYSRANGE__MAX_CONVERGENCE_TIME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
6.2.21 SYSRANGE__CROSSTALK_COMPENSATION_RATE . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
6.2.22 SYSRANGE__CROSSTALK_VALID_HEIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
6.2.23 SYSRANGE__EARLY_CONVERGENCE_ESTIMATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
6.2.24 SYSRANGE__PART_TO_PART_RANGE_OFFSET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
6.2.25 SYSRANGE__RANGE_IGNORE_VALID_HEIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
6.2.26 SYSRANGE__RANGE_IGNORE_THRESHOLD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
6.2.27 SYSRANGE__MAX_AMBIENT_LEVEL_MULT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
6.2.28 SYSRANGE__RANGE_CHECK_ENABLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
6.2.29 SYSRANGE__VHV_RECALIBRATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
6.2.30 SYSRANGE__VHV_REPEAT_RATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
6.2.31 RESULT__RANGE_STATUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
6.2.32 RESULT__INTERRUPT_STATUS_GPIO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
6.2.33 RESULT__HISTORY_BUFFER_x . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
6.2.34 RESULT__RANGE_VAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
6.2.35 RESULT__RANGE_RAW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
6.2.36 RESULT__RANGE_RETURN_RATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
6.2.37 RESULT__RANGE_REFERENCE_RATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
6.2.38 RESULT__RANGE_RETURN_SIGNAL_COUNT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
6.2.39 RESULT__RANGE_REFERENCE_SIGNAL_COUNT . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
6.2.40 RESULT__RANGE_RETURN_AMB_COUNT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
6.2.41 RESULT__RANGE_REFERENCE_AMB_COUNT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
6.2.42 RESULT__RANGE_RETURN_CONV_TIME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
6.2.43 RESULT__RANGE_REFERENCE_CONV_TIME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
6.2.44 READOUT__AVERAGING_SAMPLE_PERIOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
6.2.45 FIRMWARE__BOOTUP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
6.2.46 I2C_SLAVE__DEVICE_ADDRESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

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7 Outline drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

8 Laser safety considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

8.1 Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

9 Ordering information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
9.1 Traceability and identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
9.2 Part marking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
9.3 Packaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
9.3.1 Package labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
9.4 Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
9.5 ROHS Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

10 ECOPACK® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

11 Revision history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

DocID024986 Rev 14 5/73

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List of tables VL6180

List of tables

Table 1. Technical specification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Table 2. VL6180 pin numbers and signal descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Table 3. Recommended reflow profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Table 4. Power-up timing constraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Table 5. VL6180 operating modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Table 6. Continuous mode limits (10 Hz operation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Table 7. Typical range convergence time (ms). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Table 8. Range error codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Table 9. History buffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Table 10. Typical current consumption in different operating states . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Table 11. Breakdown of current consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Table 12. Average current consumption on AVDD and AVDD_VCSEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Table 13. Ranging specification 0 to 100mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Table 14. Worst case max range vs. ambient 0 to 100mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Table 15. Worst case max range vs. ambient >100mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Table 16. Range limits for a 400 mm target @ ambient rate 2.1Mcps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Table 17. Worst case achievable light levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Table 18. I2C interface - timing characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Table 19. Absolute maximum ratings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Table 20. Normal operating conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Table 21. Digital I/O electrical characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Table 22. Register groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Table 23. 32-bit register example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Table 24. Register formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Table 25. Register summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Table 26. Delivery format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Table 27. Storage conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Table 28. Document revision history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

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VL6180 List of figures

List of figures

Figure 1. VL6180 block diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Figure 2. VL6180 pinout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Figure 3. VL6180 schematic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Figure 4. Recommended solder pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Figure 5. Recommended reflow profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Figure 6. Ranging pipe architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Figure 7. System state diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Figure 8. Power-up timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Figure 9. Simple range routine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Figure 10. Polling mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Figure 11. Interrupt mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Figure 12. Asynchronous mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Figure 13. Total range execution time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Figure 14. ECE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Figure 15. Wrap around . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Figure 16. Typical ranging current consumption (10 Hz sampling rate). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Figure 17. VCSEL pulse duty cycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Figure 18. Part-to-part range offset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Figure 19. Cross-talk compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Figure 20. Cross-talk vs air gap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Figure 21. Typical ranging performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Figure 22. Serial interface data transfer protocol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Figure 23. I2C device address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Figure 24. Single location, single write . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Figure 25. Single location, single read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Figure 26. Multiple location write . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Figure 27. Multiple location read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
I2
Figure 28. C timing characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Figure 29. Outline drawing - module - VL6180V1NR/1 - (page 1/2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Figure 30. Outline drawing - module - VL6180V1NR/1 - (page 2/2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Figure 31. Class 1 laser product label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Figure 32. Part marking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Figure 33. Tape and reel packaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Figure 34. Package labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

DocID024986 Rev 14 7/73

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Overview VL6180

1 Overview

This datasheet is applicable to the final VL6180 ROM code revision.

1.1 Technical specification

Table 1. Technical specification
Feature Detail

Package Optical LGA12

Size 4.8 x 2.8 x 1.0 mm
Ranging 0 to 62(1) cm maximum
Functional operating voltage 2.6 to 3.0 V
Hardware standby (GPIO0 = 0): < 1 uA(2)
Typical power consumption Software standby: < 1uA(2)
Ranging: 1.7 mA (typical average)(3)
Functional operating temperature -20 to 70°C
IR emitter 850 nm
400 kHz serial bus
I2C
Address: 0x29 (7-bit)
1. Maximum distance dependent on target reflectance and external conditions (ambient light level,
temperature, voltage).
2. GPIO0, GPIO1, SCL and SDA are pulled up to AVDD (2.8V)
3. Assumes 10 Hz sampling rate, 17% reflective target at 50 mm

1.2 System block diagram

Figure 1. VL6180 block diagram
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VL6180 Overview

1.3 Device pinout

Figure 2 shows the pinout of the VL6180.

Figure 2. VL6180 pinout

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Table 2. VL6180 pin numbers and signal descriptions

Pin number Signal name Signal type Signal description

Interrupt output. Open-drain. If used,

1 GPIO1 Digital I/O it should be pulled high with 47 k
resistor, otherwise left unconnected.
2 NC No connect
3 NC No connect
Power-up default is chip enable
4 GPIO0/CE Digital I/O (CE). It should be pulled high with a
47 kresistor.
5 SCL Digital input I2C serial clock
6 SDA Digital I/O I2C serial data
7 NC No connect
8 AVDD_VCSEL Supply VCSEL power supply. 2.6 to 3.0 V
9 AVSS_VCSEL Ground VCSEL ground
Digital/analog power supply. 2.6 to
10 AVDD Supply
3.0 V
11 NC No connect
12 GND Ground Digital/analog ground

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Overview VL6180

1.4 Typical application schematic

Figure 3 shows the typical application schematic of the VL6180.

Figure 3. VL6180 schematic

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1. Open drain. If pin is used, then 47krecommended, otherwise leave floating

2. Open drain. 47krecommended
3. Open drain. Pull up resistors typically fitted once per I2C bus at host

Note: Capacitors on AVDD and AVDD_VCSEL should be placed as close as possible to the
supply pads.

1.5 Recommended solder pad dimensions

Figure 4. Recommended solder pattern
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VL6180 Overview

1.6 Recommended reflow profile

The recommend reflow profile is shown in Figure 5 and Table 3.

Figure 5. Recommended reflow profile

Table 3. Recommended reflow profile

Profile Ramp to strike

Temperature gradient in preheat (T= 70 - 180C): 0.9 +/- 0.1C/s

Temperature gradient (T= 200 - 225C): 1.1 - 3.0C/s
Peak temperature in reflow 237C - 245C
Time above 220C 50 +/- 10 seconds
Temperature gradient in cooling -1 to -4 C/s (-6C/s maximum)
Time from 50 to 220C 160 to 220 seconds

Note: As the VL6180 package is not sealed, only a dry re-flow process should be used (such as
convection re-flow). Vapor phase re-flow is not suitable for this type of optical component.
The VL6180 is an optical component and as such, it should be treated carefully. This would
typically include using a ‘no-wash’ assembly process.

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Functional description VL6180

2 Functional description

It is assumed in the rest of the document that the host application is controlling the VL6180
device through it’s C API.
For a more detailed explanation of the API functions please refer to the documentation that
is supplied with the API.
The API is available on request from ST.

2.1 Ranging
The VL6180 uses a simple pipe architecture to achieve range measurement.

Figure 6. Ranging pipe architecture

2.2 System state diagram

Figure 7 describes the main operating states of the VL6180. Hardware standby is the reset
state (GPIO0=0)(a). The device is held in reset until GPIO0 is de-asserted. Note that the
device will not respond to I2C communication in this mode. When GPIO0=1, the device
enters software standby after the internal MCU boot sequence has completed.

a. Use of GPIO0 is optional

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VL6180 Functional description

From a customer application point of view, the following sequence must be followed at the
power-up stage
 Set GPIO0 to 0
 Set GPIO0 to 1
 Wait for a minimum of 400us
 Call VL6180x_WaitDeviceBooted()(b) API function (or wait 1ms to ensure device is
ready).
Then, at this stage, it is possible to configure the device and start single-shot or continuous
ranging operation through API functions calls.

Figure 7. System state diagram

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b. Warning: The VL6180x_WaitDeviceBooted() function expects the device to be fresh out of reset. Calling this
function when the device is not fresh out of rest will result in an infinite loop.

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Functional description VL6180

2.3 Timing diagram

Figure 8 and Table 4.show the VL6180 power-up timing constraints.
 AVDD_VCSEL must be applied before or at the same time as AVDD.
 GPIO0 defaults to an active low shutdown input. When GPIO0 = 0, the device is in
hardware standby. If GPIO0 is not used it should be connected to AVDD.
 The internal microprocessor (MCU) boot sequence commences when AVDD is up and
GPIO0 is high whichever is the later.
 GPIO1 power-up default is output low. It is tri-stated during the MCU boot sequence.
Note: In hardware standby, GPIO1 is output low and will sink current through any pull-up resistor.
This leakage can be minimized by increasing the value of the pull-up resistor.
 After the MCU boot sequence the device enters software standby. Host initialization
can commence immediately after entering software standby.

Figure 8. Power-up timing

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Table 4. Power-up timing constraints

Symbol Parameter Min Max Unit

t1 AVDD_VCSEL power applied after AVDD - 0 ms

t2 Minimum reset on GPIO0 100 - ns
t3 GPIO1 output low after hardware standby - 400 s
t4 MCU boot - 1 ms
t5 Software standby to host initialization - 0 ms

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VL6180 Functional description

2.4 Software
Figure 9 shows a simple start-up routine from initialization to completing a range
measurement (ignoring offset and cross-talk calibration).The polling function is a very
simple function, but would not be used in the final application as it is a blocking function.

Figure 9. Simple range routine

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Functional description VL6180

2.5 Operating modes

The VL6180 device can operate in 2 different range modes:
Single-shot measurement or Continuous measurement.
From these 2 device modes, the VL6180 API enables 3 different typical operating modes:
Polling, interrupt or asynchronous.
Note: Wrap Around Filter is not available in Continuous measurement mode.

Table 5. VL6180 operating modes

API
VL6180
operating Description API functions Comments
mode
mode

Host requests single

shot measurement Recommended for first
Polling VL6180x_RangePollMeasurement Single shot
and waits for the API porting or debug
result
VL6180x_RangeSetInterMeasPeriod
Recommended for User
VL6180x_SetupGPIO1 Detection applications
Ranging results are VL6180x_RangeConfigInterrupt where CPU is
Interrupt retrieved from (VL6180x_RangeSetThreshold) Continuous interrupted by VL6180
interrupts VL6180x_RangeStartContinuousMode so can be asleep when
VL6180x_RangeGetMeasurement no target is detected
(power saving)
VL6180x_ClearAllInterrupt
Recommended for AF-
Assist applications,
Host requests a
Android OS-based
single shot VL6180x_RangeStartSingleShot system where CPU is
Asynchro measurement and
VL6180x_RangeGetMeasurement Single shot synchronized by
nous regularly checks to
IfReady EOF/SOF from camera
see if result is ready
or by a timer so that top
or not
application controls
measurement periods

2.5.1 Polling mode - single shot measurement

Host calls a blocking API function that requests a single shot measurement and waits for the
result. CPU is blocked during ranging.

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VL6180 Functional description

Figure 10. Polling mode

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2.5.2 Interrupt mode - continuous measurement

Host programs the device in continuous mode and ranging results are retrieved from
interrupts.

Figure 11. Interrupt mode

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Functional description VL6180

VL6180x_RangeConfigInterrupt()
The VL6180 can be configured to generate a range interrupt flag under any of the following
conditions:
 New sample ready
 Level low (range value < low threshold)
 Level high (range value > high threshold)
 Out of window (range value < low threshold) OR (range value > high threshold)
In new sample ready mode, an interrupt flag will be raised at the end of every measurement
irrespective of whether the measurement is valid or if an error has occurred. This mode is
particularly useful during development and debug. 
In level interrupt mode the system will raise an interrupt flag if either a low or high
programmable threshold has been crossed. 
Out of window interrupt mode activates both high and low level thresholds allowing a
window of operation to be specified.
Range interrupt modes are selected via VL6180x_RangeConfigInterrupt() with
VL6180x_RangeSetThresholds() used to set thresholds. Use
VL6180x_RangeGetInterruptStatus() to return the ranging interrupt status.
Note: In level or window interrupt modes range errors will only trigger an interrupt if the logical
conditions described above are met.

Continuous mode limits

To take account of oscillator tolerances and internal processing overheads it is necessary to
place the following constraints on continuous mode operations. The following equations
define the minimum inter-measurement period to ensure correct operation:
Continuous range:
VL6180x_RangeSetMaxConvergenceTime() + 5  
VL6180x_RangeSetInterMeasPeriod() * 0.9
Table 6. gives an example how to apply these limits in continuous mode operating at a
sampling rate of 10 Hz.

Table 6. Continuous mode limits (10 Hz operation)

Parameter Period (ms)

VL6180x_RangeSetMaxConvergenceTime() 30
Total RANGE EXECUTION TIME 35

2.5.3 Asynchronous mode - single shot measurement

Host requests a single shot measurement and can either check regularly to see if result is
ready or wait for an interrupt then call RangeGetMeasurementIfReady().

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VL6180 Functional description

Figure 12. Asynchronous mode

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2.6 Range timing

Figure 13 gives a breakdown of total execution time for a single range measurement.
 The pre-calibration phase is fixed (3.2 ms).
 The range convergence time is variable and depends on target distance/reflectance
(see Table 7).
 The recommended readout averaging period is 4.3 ms. Readout averaging helps to
reduce measurement noise. The recommended setting for
READOUT__AVERAGING_SAMPLE_PERIOD{0x10A} is 48(c) but is programmable in
the range 0-255. Note however that lower settings will result in increased noise.
Register READOUT__AVERAGING_SAMPLE_PERIOD{0x10A} is not programmable via the
API.
Note: When a target is detected the API returns the actual range convergence time. The
convergence time returned by the API does not include the readout average. Range
convergence and readout averaging must be completed within the specified max
convergence time.
VL6180x_RangeSetMaxConvergenceTime() - sets maximum time to run measurement in
all ranging modes. Range = 1 - 63 ms; measurement aborted when limit reached. Effective
max convergence time depends on the actual convergence time plus readout averaging
sample period setting.

c. Default readout averaging period is calculated as follows: 1300 µs + (48 x 64.5 µs) = 4.3 ms

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Functional description VL6180

Figure 13. Total range execution time

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Table 7. Typical range convergence time (ms)

Target reflectance
Range (mm)
3% 5% 17% 88%

10 0.43 0.33 0.18 0.18

20 0.94 0.73 0.28 0.18
30 1.89 1.40 0.51 0.18
40 3.07 2.25 0.81 0.18
50 4.35 3.24 1.18 0.24
60 5.70 4.22 1.60 0.32
70 7.07 5.35 2.07 0.49
80 8.41 6.45 2.58 0.50
90 9.58 7.56 3.14 0.61
100 10.73 8.65 3.69 0.73

2.7 Range error codes

Before using a measurement returned with a range API function, the application must first
check that the function call has succeeded (returned 0) and then check the
Range.errorStatus for possible error codes.
Table 8 gives a summary of the error codes. Calling VL6180x_RangeGetStatusErrString()
will also return the error code/description.

Table 8. Range error codes

Bits [7:4] Error code Description

0 No error Valid measurement

System error detected (can only happen on
1-5 System error
power on). No measurement possible.
6 Early convergence estimate ECE check failed
System did not converge before the specified
7 Max convergence
max. convergence time limit
8 Range ignore Ignore threshold check failed

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VL6180 Functional description

Table 8. Range error codes (continued)

Bits [7:4] Error code Description

9-10 Not used -

Ambient conditions too high. Measurement not
11 Signal to Noise Ratio
valid
Range value < 0 
If the target is very close (0-10mm) and the offset
12/14 Range underflow
is not correctly calibrated it could lead to a small
negative value
Range value out of range. This occurs when the
target is detected by the device but is placed at a
high distance resulting in internal variable
13/15 Range overflow overflow.
Proximity ranging, target > 200mm (scaling = 1)
Extended ranging, target > 550mm (scaling = 3)
Distance filtered by Wrap Around Filter (WAF).
16 Ranging_Filtered Occurs when a high reflectance target is
detected between 600mm to 1.2m
17 Not used -
Error returned by
18 Data_Not_Ready VL6180x_RangeGetMeasurementIfReady()
when ranging data is not ready

2.8 Range checks

Error codes 6, 8 & 11 in Table 8 are configurable by the user (SNR, error 11, has not yet
been integrated into the API).

2.8.1 Early convergence estimate (ECE)

Note: Early convergence estimate (ECE) is not used, by default, in extended ranging mode.
Early convergence estimate (ECE) is a programmable feature designed to minimize power
consumption when there is no target in the field-of-view (FOV).
The system is said to have ‘converged’ (i.e. range acquired), when the convergence
threshold(d) is reached before the max. convergence time limit (see Figure 14). This ratio
specifies the minimum return signal rate required for convergence. If there is no target in the
FOV, the system will continue to operate until the max. convergence time limit is reached
before switching off thereby consuming power. With ECE enabled, the system estimates the
return signal rate 0.5 ms after the start of every measurement. If it is below the ECE
threshold, the measurement is aborted and an ECE error is flagged.

d. For proximity ranging, the convergence threshold is set to 10240. The convergence threshold register is not
accessible by the user.

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Functional description VL6180

Figure 14. ECE

ECE is enabled by setting VL6180x_RangeSetEceState() and configured with

VL6180x_RangeSetEceFactor(). This allows the user to change the ECE threshold from
the default of 15% below minimum convergence rate. As shown by the example below.

85%  0.5  10240

ECE threshold = --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Max convergence time (in ms)

If the max convergence time is set to 30 ms (using

VL6180x_RangeSetMaxConvergenceTime()), then the ECE threshold is 196. That is, if
the return count is less than 196 after 0.5 ms, the measurement will be aborted.
Note: The optimum value for the ECE threshold should be determined in the final application.

2.8.2 Range ignore

In a system with cover glass, the return signal from the glass (cross-talk) may be sufficient
to cause the system to converge and return a valid range measurement even when there is
no target present. The range ignore feature is designed to ensure that the system does not
range on the glass. (Cross-talk is described in more detail in Section 2.15.2).
The ignore threshold is enabled with VL6180x_RangeIgnoreSetEnable(). If enabled, the
ignore threshold and valid height must be specified, this is set with
VL6180x_RangeIgnoreConfigure().
A range ignore error will be flagged if the return signal rate is less than the ignore threshold.
Note: The optimum value for the ignore threshold and valid height should be determined in the
final application.

2.8.3 Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)

SNR function not yet implemented in API.
In high ambient conditions range accuracy can be impaired so the SNR threshold is used as
a safety limit to invalidate range measurements where the ambient/signal ratio is considered
too high.The default ambient/signal ratio limit is 10 (i.e. an SNR of 0.1) which is then
encoded in 4.4 format as follows:
SYSRANGE__MAX_AMBIENT_LEVEL_MULT{0x2C}= 10 x 16 = 160

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VL6180 Functional description

To enable the SNR check, set bit 4 in SYSRANGE__RANGE_CHECK_ENABLES (0x02D). A

lower setting results in a more aggressive filter which will result in a lower effective range but
greater accuracy. A higher setting results in a less aggressive filter which will result in a
greater effective range but lower accuracy.
The SNR value can be calculated as follows:

RESULT__RANGE_RETURN_SIGNAL_COUNT{0x6C}
SNR = --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RESULT__RANGE_RETURN_AMB_COUNT{0x74} * 6

Note: The SNR value is the inverse of the ambient/signal ratio limit {0x2C}.
Note: The optimum value for SNR threshold should be determined in the final application.

2.9 Manual/autoVHV calibration

Manual/auto VHV not yet implemented in API.
SPAD(e) sensitivity is temperature dependent so VHV(f) calibration is used to regulate SPAD
sensitivity over temperature in order to minimize signal rate variation. VHV calibration is
performed either manually by the host processor or automatically by internal firmware.
Execution time is typically 200 s so has no impact on normal operation.
A VHV calibration is run once at power-up and then automatically after every N range
measurements defined by the SYSRANGE__VHV_REPEAT_RATE{0x31}register. AutoVHV
calibration is disabled by setting this register to 0. Default is 255. If autoVHV is disabled it is
recommended to run a manual VHV calibration periodically to recalibrate for any significant
temperature variation. A manual VHV calibration is performed by setting
SYSRANGE__VHV_RECALBRATE{0x2E} to 1. This register auto-clears. This operation
should only be performed in software standby.

2.10 History buffer

History buffer not yet implemented in API.
The history buffer is a 8 x 16-bit memory which can be used to store the last 16 range
measurements (8-bit). Use of the history buffer is controlled via register
SYSTEM__HISTORY_CTRL{0x12}. There are 3 basic functions:
 enable
 range selection
 clear buffer
The buffer is read via eight 16-bit registers (RESULT__HISTORY_BUFFER_0{0x52} to
RESULT__HISTORY_BUFFER_7{0x60}). The buffer holds the last 16 x 8-bit range results
as shown in Table 9.

e. Photon detectors - Single Photon Avalanche Diodes

f. VHV is an adjustable SPAD bias voltage and stands for Very High Voltage (typically around 14 V). Also
sometimes referred to as CP (Charge Pump).

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Table 9. History buffer

Range
History buffer
(High byte) (Low byte)

0 Range [15] (newest) Range [14]

1 Range [13] Range [12]
2 Range [11] Range [10]
3 Range [9] Range [8]
4 Range [7] Range [6]
5 Range [5] Range [4]
6 Range [3] Range [2
7 Range [1] Range [0] (oldest)

Note: Only one data stream can be buffered at one time. There is no associated time stamp
information.
The clear buffer command is not immediate; it takes effect on the next range start
command.
The history buffer works independently of interrupt control i.e. the history buffer records all
new samples; its operation is unchanged in threshold and window modes.

2.11 Wrap Around Filter

Wrap-around is an effect linked to the ratio between the VCSEL pulse period and the photon
return pulse.

Figure 15. Wrap around

High reflective targets (like mirrors) placed at a far distance (>600mm) from the VL6180 can
still produce enough return signal for the VL6180 to declare a valid target and meet the
wrap-around condition resulting in a wrong (under-estimated) returned distance.
The WAF implemented in the API is able to automatically detect if a target is in the wrap-
around condition and filter it by returning an invalid distance (Range.errorStatus = 16). The
WAF is enabled/disabled via VL6180x_FilterSetState() and read with
VL6180x_FilterGetState().

2.12 Scaling
The default scaling factor is 3, which allows for maximum ranging capabilities. The scaling
factor can be decreased to x2 or x1 for short range applications.

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Note: With a scaling factor of 2/3. the reported range minimum resolution also increases to
2/3mm.
VL6180x_UpscaleSetScaling() is a single API function which allows the user to change the
scaling factor of the device. VL6180x_UpscaleGetScaling() can be used to read the
scaling factor.
Scaling factor = 1 = proximity ranging (up to ~20 cm)
Scaling factor = 1 = proximity ranging (up to ~40 cm)
Scaling factor = 3 = extended ranging (up to ~60 cm)

2.13 Maximum ranging distance (Dmax)

A target placed in front of the VL6180 device may not be detected because it is too far away
for the given ambient light conditions.
When ambient light level increases, max detection range (Dmax) decreases
When no target is detected (no valid distance), the VL6180 API is able to estimate Dmax as
the maximum distance up to which a 17% target would have been detected with the current
ambient light level.
When no target is detected by the VL6180, the application can interpret the Dmax value as
no target is detected and there is no 17% (or above) target between 0 and Dmax mm.
DMAX is enabled/disabled by VL6180x_DMaxSetState() and read with
VL6180x_DMaxGetState().
Note: Dmax is estimated for a 17% reflectance target. If the real target has a lower reflectance,
then the Dmax calculated by the API could be overestimated.

2.14 Current consumption

Table 10. gives an overview of current consumption in different operating states.

Table 10. Typical current consumption in different operating states

Mode Current Conditions

Hardware standby < 1 A Shutdown (GPIO0 = 0). No I2C comms

Software standby < 1 A After MCU boot. Device ready
Ranging 1.7 mA Average consumption during ranging(1)
1. 10 Hz sampling rate, 17% reflective target at 50 mm.

2.14.1 Ranging current consumption

Figure 16 shows typical ranging current consumption of the VL6180. Current consumption
depends on target distance, target reflectance and sampling rate. The example shown here
is based on default settings and a sampling rate of 10 Hz. The average current consumption
for a 17% reflective target at 50 mm operating at 10 Hz is 1.7 mA. At different sampling rates
the current consumption scales accordingly i.e. the average current consumption at 1 Hz
under the same conditions would be 0.17 mA.

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Figure 16. Typical ranging current consumption (10 Hz sampling rate)

The minimum average current consumption in Figure 16. is 1.5 mA, 0.5 mA of which comes
from pre-calibration before each measurement and 1.0 mA from post-processing (readout
averaging). Pre-calibration is a fixed overhead but readout averaging can be reduced or
effectively disabled by setting the READOUT__AVERAGING_SAMPLE_PERIOD{0x10A} to
zero (default setting is 48).
Note: Decreasing the READOUT__AVERAGING_SAMPLE_PERIOD will increase sampling noise. It
is recommended that any change in setting be properly evaluated in the end application.
Minimum current consumption scales with sampling rate i.e. at a sampling rate of 1 Hz the
current consumption associated with pre- and post-processing will be 0.15 mA.

2.14.2 Current consumption calculator

Table 11. gives a breakdown of typical current consumption for pre-calibration, ranging and
readout averaging.

Table 11. Breakdown of current consumption

Label Phase I (mA) t (ms) Q (C) = I x t

Q1 Pre-calibration 13.0 3.2 41.6

Q2 Ranging 22.0 per ms 22.0 per ms
Q3 Readout averaging 25.0 per ms 25.0 per ms

Current consumption can then be calculated as follows:

I (A) = sampling_rate * [Q1 + (Q2 * RESULT__RANGE_RETURN_CONV_TIME in ms) + 
Q3 * (1.3 + (READOUT__AVERAGING_SAMPLE_PERIOD * 0.0645 ms))]
Table 7. gives typical convergence times for different target reflectance.
So, for example, RESULT__RANGE_RETURN_CONV_TIME for a 3% target at 50 mm is 4.35
ms. At 10 Hz sampling rate this gives:
I (A) = 10 * [41.6 + (22 * 4.35) + 25 * (1.3 + (48 * 0.0645))] = 2472 A

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2.14.3 Current distribution

Table 12. shows how current consumption is distributed between the two supplies in ranging
mode. AVDD_VCSEL supplies the VCSEL current and AVDD supplies all other functions.
Angle of divergent laser emission is 25° +/- 5°.
The condition of divergent angle of 25° laser emission is 1/e2 of the peak intensity.
Note: The VCSEL driver is pulsed at 100 MHz with a 33% duty cycle (see Figure 17.) so average
current consumption on AVDD_VCSEL is one third of the peak.

Table 12. Average current consumption on AVDD and AVDD_VCSEL

Power supply(1) Current Note

AVDD 14 mA Average during active ranging

AVDD_VCSEL 8 mA(2) Average during active ranging (33% duty cycle).
1. Normally, both supplies will be driven from a common source giving a peak instantaneous current demand
of 38 mA.
2. Peak emitter current during ranging is 24 mA.Peak power is 14mW.

Figure 17. VCSEL pulse duty cycle

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2.15 Other system considerations

This section describes part-to-part range offset and system cross-talk. In addition, a
procedure for cross-talk calibration is given.

2.15.1 Part-to-part range offset

The VL6180 is factory calibrated to produce an absolute linear range output as shown in
Figure 18. The part-to-part range offset is calibrated during manufacture and stored in NVM.
Use VL6180x_GetOffsetCalibrationData() to read offset from NVM (after
VL6180x_InitData()). The API always returns the range with the part-to-part offset already
applied.

Figure 18. Part-to-part range offset

2.15.2 Cross-talk
Cross-talk is defined as the signal return from the cover glass. The magnitude of the cross-
talk depends on the type of glass, air gap and filter material. Cross-talk results in a range
error (see Figure 19) which is proportional to the ratio of the cross-talk to the signal return
from the target. The true range is recovered by applying automatic cross-talk compensation.

Figure 19. Cross-talk compensation

Cross-talk compensation is enabled by using VL6180x_SetXTalkCompensationRate(). A

cross-talk calibration procedure is described in Section 2.15.4.

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2.15.3 Offset calibration procedure

Complete steps 1-4 to see if part-to-part offset calibration is required.
1. Read scaling factor VL6180x_UpscaleGetScaling(), turn off WAF
VL6180x_FilterSetState() = 0, turn off range ignore features
VL6180x_RangeIgnoreSetEnable() = 0 and clear all interrupts
VL6180x_ClearAllInterrupt().
2. Position a white target (88% reflectance(g)) at a distance of 50mm (scaling factor 1) or
100 mm (scaling factor 2/3) from the top of the cover glass.
3. Perform a minimum of 10 range measurements and compute the average range using
VL6180x_RangePollMeasurement().
4. If the average range is within target distance  3 mm, offset calibration is not required.
Otherwise, complete the calibration procedure.
5. Set VL6180x_SetOffsetCalibrationData() = 0.
6. Perform a minimum of 10 range measurements and compute the average range from
VL6180x_RangePollMeasurement().
7. Calculate the part-to-part offset as follows:

part-to-part offset = target distance(mm) – average range(mm)

8. The new offset value should be stored on system and written to the VL6180 by using
VL6180x_SetOffsetCalibrationData() each time the device is reset.

2.15.4 Cross-talk calibration procedure

This section describes a procedure for calibrating system cross-talk.
1. Perform offset calibration if required (see Section 2.15.3) and write the value to the
device by using VL6180x_SetOffsetCalibrationData().
Note: If the offset is incorrectly calibrated, cross-talk calibration will be inaccurate.
2. Read scaling factor VL6180x_UpscaleGetScaling(), turn off WAF
VL6180x_FilterSetState() = 0 turn off range ignore features
VL6180x_RangeIgnoreSetEnable() = 0 and clear all interrupts
VL6180x_ClearAllInterrupt().
3. Position a grey target (17% reflectance(h)) at a distance of 100mm (scaling factor 1) or
300mm (scaling factor 2) or 400mm (scaling factor 3) from the top of the cover glass.
4. Write 0 to VL6180x_SetXTalkCompensationRate().
5. Perform a minimum of 10 range measurements and compute the average return rate
and range value from VL6180x_RangePollMeasurement().
6. Calculate the cross-talk factor as follows:
average range(mm)
cross-talk (in Mcps) = average return rate   1 – -----------------------------------------------------
 target distance(mm)
7. The cross-talk value should be stored on system and written to the VL6180 by using
VL6180x_SetXTalkCompensationRate() each time the device is reset.

g. Target reflectance should be high but absolute value is not critical.

h. Target reflectance should be low but absolute value is not critical.

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Note: Cross-talk compensation is only applied to targets above 20 mm. This is to ensure that
cross-talk correction is not applied to near targets where the signal rate is decreasing. The
API sets the cross-talk valid height dependent on scaling factor. 
The default is 20mm for scaling 1, 10mm (20/2) for scaling 2 and 7mm (~20/3) for scaling 3.

2.15.5 Cross-talk limit

For proximity ranging (scaling 1), a practical limit for cross-talk is < 3.0 Mcps. This is based
on two factors:
1. The return rate for a 3% reflective target at 100 mm without glass is typically around 1.5
Mcps. If glass is added with a cross-talk of 3.0 Mcps, the resultant return rate will be 4.5
Mcps. This results in a cross-talk correction factor of x3 so for a 100 mm target the raw
range will be in the region of 30 mm. To ensure the cross-talk valid height restriction is
not breached, the minimum raw range allowing for noise margin is around 30 mm.
2. A cross-talk correction factor of x3 also means that any range noise will be multiplied
by 3 so noise also becomes a limiting factor.
For extended ranging (scaling 3), a practical limit for cross-talk is < 0.2 Mcps.

2.15.6 Cross-talk vs air gap

Figure 20 shows the typical cross-talk vs air gap using low cross-talk glass. Above 1.5 mm,
the cross-talk rises rapidly.

Figure 20. Cross-talk vs air gap

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3 Ranging specification

3.1 Proximity ranging (0 to 100mm)

The following table specifies ranging performance up to 100mm. These results are derived
from characterization of both typical and corner samples (representative of worst case
process conditions).
Unless specified otherwise, all results were performed at room temperature (23°C), nominal
voltage (2.8V) and in the dark. Results are based on the average of 100 measurements for
a 17% reflective target @ 50mm.

Table 13. Ranging specification 0 to 100mm

Parameter Min. Typ. Max. Unit

Noise(1) - - 2.0 mm
Range offset error(2) - - 13 mm
(3)
Temperature dependent drift - 9 15 mm
Voltage dependent drift (4)
- 3 5 mm
Convergence time (5) - - 15 ms
1. Maximum standard deviation of 100 measurements
2. Maximum offset drift after 3 reflow cycles. This error can be removed by re-calibration in the final system
3. Tested over optimum operating temperature range (see Table 20.: Normal operating conditions)
4. Tested over optimum operating voltage range (see Table 20.: Normal operating conditions)
5. Based on a 3% reflective target @ 100 mm

3.1.1 Max range vs. ambient light level

The data shown in this section is worst case data for reference only.
Table 14 shows the worst case maximum range achievable under different ambient light
conditions.

Table 14. Worst case max range vs. ambient 0 to 100mm(1)(2)

Target Worst case indoor light High ambient light
In the dark(3) Unit
reflectance (1 kLux diffuse halogen) (5 kLux diffuse halogen)

3% > 100 > 80 > 40 mm

5% > 100 > 90 > 45 mm
17% > 100 > 100 > 60 mm
88% > 100 > 100 > 70 mm
1. Tested in an integrating sphere (repeatable lab test, not representative of real world ambient light) at 1
kLux and 5 kLux (halogen light source) using 80 x 80 mm targets. Due to high IR content, 5 kLux halogen
light approximates to 10 kLux to 15 kLux natural sunlight.
2. SNR limit of 0.1 applied. Note: maximum range could be increased by reducing the SNR limit to 0.06
3. Also applicable to lighting conditions with low IR content e.g typical office fluorescent lighting

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Figure 21. Typical ranging performance

3.2 Extended range (>100mm)

3.2.1 Extended range conditions
Ranging beyond 100 mm requires a low cross-talk system, use of a gasket, small air gap
(below 1 mm) and cover glass with IR filter (transmission >80% @ 850nm and <15% @
450-700nm). Tuning of the following parameters are required:
 SNR limit
 Convergence threshold
 Max convergence time
 Factory calibrated ambient window calibration settings applied by the host

3.2.2 Max range vs. ambient light level

Table 15 shows the worst case maximum range achievable under different ambient light
conditions. No cover glass was used in these tests. The device was tuned as per
recommendations in Section 3.2.1. The minimum detection rate is the worst case
percentage of measurements that will return a valid measurement.

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The light source used was a large, adjustable halogen ‘theatre’ lamp. The lamp was
mounted behind the device under test, pointing directly at the test chart, therefore the
ambient rate measured by VL6180 is from the light reflected off the test chart.

Table 15. Worst case max range vs. ambient >100mm

Target Minimum Detection Rate(2)
Distance (mm) Ambient Rate(1) (Mcps)
reflectance (%) (%)

5 200 3.7 97.5

88 200 37 97.5
17 400 2.1 94.7
1. Ambient light level set at 23°C
2. Over the optimum operating temperature range (-10°C to + 60°C)

Table 16.shows upper and lower measurement limits based on characterization of both
typical and limit samples for a 17% target at 400 mm according to the conditions laid out in
Table 15. Testing was performed at 2.8 V and over the optimum operating temperature
range (-10°C to + 60°C).

Table 16. Range limits for a 400 mm target @ ambient rate 2.1Mcps
Lower limit (mm) Upper limit (mm)

330 470

The data shown in Table 17 is worst case maximum range data for reference only and
shows the light levels that can be achieved using a low cross-talk system as defined in
Section 3.2.1.

Table 17. Worst case achievable light levels

Equivalent Light
Target reflectance
Distance (mm) level on top of Notes
(%)
glass (lux)

5 200 5,200 Sunlight

17 400 950 Halogen light source
88 200 3,700 Sunlight

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4 I2C control interface

The VL6180 is controlled over an I2C interface. The default I2C address is 0x29 (7-bit). This
section describes the I2C protocol.

Figure 22. Serial interface data transfer protocol

Acknowledge
Start condition

SDA
MSB LSB

SCL
S 7 8 P
1 2 3 4 5 6 As/Am
Address or data byte
Stop condition

Information is packed in 8-bit packets (bytes) always followed by an acknowledge bit, As for
sensor acknowledge and Am for master acknowledge. The internal data is produced by
sampling SDA at a rising edge of SCL. The external data must be stable during the high
period of SCL. The exceptions to this are start (S) or stop (P) conditions when SDA falls or
rises respectively, while SCL is high.
A message contains a series of bytes preceded by a start condition and followed by either a
stop or repeated start (another start condition but without a preceding stop condition)
followed by another message. The first byte contains the device address (0x52) and also
specifies the data direction. If the least significant bit is low (0x52) the message is a master
write to the slave. If the lsb is set (0x53) then the message is a master read from the slave.

Figure 23. I2C device address

MSBit LSBit

0 1 0 1 0 0 1 R/W

All serial interface communications with the sensor must begin with a start condition. The
sensor acknowledges the receipt of a valid address by driving the SDA wire low. The state
of the read/write bit (lsb of the address byte) is stored and the next byte of data, sampled
from SDA, can be interpreted. During a write sequence the second and third bytes received
provide a 16-bit index which points to one of the internal 8-bit registers.

Figure 24. Single location, single write

Sensor acknowledges Acknowledge from sensor

Start valid address

S ADDRESS[7:0] As INDEX[15:8] As INDEX[7:0] As DATA[7:0] As P

0x52 (write)
Stop

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As data is received by the slave it is written bit by bit to a serial/parallel register. After each
data byte has been received by the slave, an acknowledge is generated, the data is then
stored in the internal register addressed by the current index.
During a read message, the contents of the register addressed by the current index is read
out in the byte following the device address byte. The contents of this register are parallel
loaded into the serial/parallel register and clocked out of the device by the falling edge of
SCL.

Figure 25. Single location, single read

0x52 (write)
S ADDRESS[7:0] As INDEX[15:8] As INDEX[7:0] As P

0x53 (read)
S ADDRESS[7:0] As DATA[7:0] Am P

At the end of each byte, in both read and write message sequences, an acknowledge is
issued by the receiving device (that is, the sensor for a write and the master for a read).
A message can only be terminated by the bus master, either by issuing a stop condition or
by a negative acknowledge (that is, not pulling the SDA line low) after reading a complete
byte during a read operation.
The interface also supports auto-increment indexing. After the first data byte has been
transferred, the index is automatically incremented by 1. The master can therefore send
data bytes continuously to the slave until the slave fails to provide an acknowledge or the
master terminates the write communication with a stop condition. If the auto-increment
feature is used the master does not have to send address indexes to accompany the data
bytes.

Figure 26. Multiple location write

0x52 (write)
S ADDRESS[7:0] As INDEX[15:8] As INDEX[7:0] As

DATA[7:0] As DATA[7:0] As DATA[7:0] As P

Figure 27. Multiple location read

0x52 (write)

S ADDRESS[7:0] As INDEX[15:8] As INDEX[7:0] As P

0x53 (read)
S ADDRESS[7:0] As DATA[7:0] Am DATA[7:0] Am

DATA[7:0] Am DATA[7:0] Am DATA[7:0] Am P

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4.1 I2C interface - timing characteristics

Timing characteristics are shown in Table 18. Please refer to Figure 28 for an explanation of
the parameters used.

Table 18. I2C interface - timing characteristics

Symbol Parameter Minimum Typical Maximum Unit

FI2C Operating frequency 0 - 400(1) kHz

tLOW Clock pulse width low 0.5 - - s
tHIGH Clock pulse width high 0.26 - - s
Pulse width of spikes which are
tSP - - 50 ns
suppressed by the input filter
tBUF Bus free time between transmissions 0.5 - - s
tHD.STA Start hold time 0.26 - - s
tSU.STA Start set-up time 0.26 - - s
tHD.DAT Data in hold time 0 - - s
tSU.DAT Data in set-up time 50 - - ns
tR SCL/SDA rise time - - 120 ns
tF SCL/SDA fall time - - 120 ns
tSU.STO Stop set-up time 0.26 - - s
Ci/o Input/output capacitance (SDA) - - 4 pF
Cin Input capacitance (SCL) - - 4 pF
CL Load capacitance - 125 - pF
1. The maximum bus speed may also be limited by the combination of load capacitance and pull-up resistor.
Please refer to the I2C specification for further information.

Figure 28. I2C timing characteristics

stop start start stop

VIH
SDA ... VIL

tBUF tLOW tR tF tHD.STA

VIH
SCL
VIL
...

tHD.STA tHD.DAT tHIGH tSU.DAT tSU.STA tSU.STO

Note: All timing characteristics are measured with respect to VIL_MAX or VIH_MIN.

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5 Electrical characteristics

5.1 Absolute maximum ratings

Table 19. Absolute maximum ratings
Parameter Min. Typ. Max. Unit

AVDD -0.5 - 3.6 V

AVDD_VCSEL -0.5 - 3.6 V
SCL, SDA, GPIO0 and GPIO1 -0.5 - 3.6 V
VESD (Electrostatic discharge model)
-2 2 KV
Human body model(1)
-500 500 V
Charge device model(2)
Temperature (storage - manufacturing
-40 - +85 °C
test)
1. HBM tests are performed in compliance with ESDA/JEDEC JS-001-2010 (ex: JESD22-A114)
MM test is performed in compliance with JESD22-A115.
2. CDM ESD tests are performed in compliance with JESD22-C101.

Note: Stresses above those listed in Table 19. may cause permanent damage to the device. This
is a stress rating only and functional operation of the device at these or any other conditions
above those indicated in the operational sections of the specification is not implied.
Exposure to absolute maximum rating conditions for extended periods may affect device
reliability.

5.2 Normal operating conditions

Table 20. Normal operating conditions
Parameter Min. Typ. Max. Unit

Voltage (AVDD and AVDD_VCSEL)

Voltage (optimum operating) 2.7 2.8 2.9 V
Voltage (functional operating) 2.6 2.8 3.0 V
Temperature
Temperature (optimum operating) -10 +60 °C
Temperature (functional operating) -20 - +70 °C

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5.3 Electrical characteristics

Table 21. Digital I/O electrical characteristics
Symbol Parameter Minimum Typical Maximum Unit

CMOS digital I/O (SDA, SCL, GPIO0 and GPIO1)

VIL Low level input voltage -0.5 - 0.6 V

VIH High level input voltage 1.12 - AVDD+0.5 V
VOL Low level output voltage (8mA load) - - 0.4 V
VOH High level output voltage (8mA load) AVDD-0.4 - - V
IIL Low level input current - - -10 µA
IIH High level input current - - 10 µA

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6 Device registers

This section describes in detail all user accessible device registers. Registers are grouped
by function as shown in Table 22. to make them easier to read but also to simplify multi-byte
read/write I2C accesses (burst mode). More details in Section 4. Reset values are given for
each register which denotes the register value in software standby.

Table 22. Register groups

Register group Address range

IDENTIFICATION 0x000 - 0x00F

SYSTEM SETUP 0x010 - 0x017
RANGE SETUP 0x018 - 0x037
RESULTS 0x04D - 0x080

Note that registers can be 8-,16- or 32-bit. Multi-byte registers are always addressed in
ascending order with MSB first as shown in Table 23.

Table 23. 32-bit register example

Register address Byte

Address MSB
Address + 1 ..
Address + 2 ..
Address + 3 LSB

6.1 Register encoding formats

Some registers are encoded to allow rational numbers to be expressed efficiently. Table 24
gives an explanation of 9.7 and 4.4 encoding formats. Table 25 gives a summary of the
device registers.

Table 24. Register formats

Format Description

9 integer bits + 7 fractional bits (stored over 2 bytes)

9.7 For example, the value 4.2 is multiplied by 128, rounded and stored as
537 decimal. To decode, divide 537 by 128 = 4.19.

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Table 25. Register summary

Address Register name Reference

0x000 IDENTIFICATION__MODEL_ID Section 6.2.1 on page 42

0x001 IDENTIFICATION__MODEL_REV_MAJOR Section 6.2.2 on page 42
0x002 IDENTIFICATION__MODEL_REV_MINOR Section 6.2.3 on page 42
0x003 IDENTIFICATION__MODULE_REV_MAJOR Section 6.2.4 on page 43
0x004 IDENTIFICATION__MODULE_REV_MINOR Section 6.2.5 on page 43
0x006 IDENTIFICATION__DATE_HI Section 6.2.6 on page 43
0x007 IDENTIFICATION__DATE_LO Section 6.2.7 on page 44
0x008:0x009 IDENTIFICATION__TIME Section 6.2.8 on page 44
0x010 SYSTEM__MODE_GPIO0 Section 6.2.9 on page 45
0x011 SYSTEM__MODE_GPIO1 Section 6.2.10 on page 46
0x012 SYSTEM__HISTORY_CTRL Section 6.2.11 on page 47
0x014 SYSTEM__INTERRUPT_CONFIG_GPIO Section 6.2.12 on page 48
0x015 SYSTEM__INTERRUPT_CLEAR Section 6.2.13 on page 48
0x016 SYSTEM__FRESH_OUT_OF_RESET Section 6.2.14 on page 48
0x017 SYSTEM__GROUPED_PARAMETER_HOLD Section 6.2.15 on page 49
0x018 SYSRANGE__START Section 6.2.16 on page 49
0x019 SYSRANGE__THRESH_HIGH Section 6.2.17 on page 50
0x01A SYSRANGE__THRESH_LOW Section 6.2.18 on page 51
0x01B SYSRANGE__INTERMEASUREMENT_PERIOD Section 6.2.19 on page 51
0x01C SYSRANGE__MAX_CONVERGENCE_TIME Section 6.2.20 on page 51
0x01E SYSRANGE__CROSSTALK_COMPENSATION_RATE Section 6.2.21 on page 52
0x021 SYSRANGE__CROSSTALK_VALID_HEIGHT Section 6.2.22 on page 52
0x022 SYSRANGE__EARLY_CONVERGENCE_ESTIMATE Section 6.2.23 on page 52
0x024 SYSRANGE__PART_TO_PART_RANGE_OFFSET Section 6.2.24 on page 53
0x025 SYSRANGE__RANGE_IGNORE_VALID_HEIGHT Section 6.2.25 on page 53
0x026 SYSRANGE__RANGE_IGNORE_THRESHOLD Section 6.2.26 on page 53
0x02C SYSRANGE__MAX_AMBIENT_LEVEL_MULT Section 6.2.27 on page 54
0x02D SYSRANGE__RANGE_CHECK_ENABLES Section 6.2.27 on page 54
0x02E SYSRANGE__VHV_RECALIBRATE Section 6.2.29 on page 55
0x031 SYSRANGE__VHV_REPEAT_RATE Section 6.2.30 on page 55
0x04D RESULT__RANGE_STATUS Section 6.2.31 on page 56
0x04F RESULT__INTERRUPT_STATUS_GPIO Section 6.2.32 on page 57
0x052:0x060
RESULT__HISTORY_BUFFER_x Section 6.2.33 on page 57
(0x2)
0x062 RESULT__RANGE_VAL Section 6.2.34 on page 58

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Table 25. Register summary (continued)

Address Register name Reference

0x064 RESULT__RANGE_RAW Section 6.2.35 on page 58

0x066 RESULT__RANGE_RETURN_RATE Section 6.2.36 on page 59
0x068 RESULT__RANGE_REFERENCE_RATE Section 6.2.37 on page 60
0x06C RESULT__RANGE_RETURN_SIGNAL_COUNT Section 6.2.38 on page 60
0x070 RESULT__RANGE_REFERENCE_SIGNAL_COUNT Section 6.2.39 on page 61
0x074 RESULT__RANGE_RETURN_AMB_COUNT Section 6.2.40 on page 61
0x078 RESULT__RANGE_REFERENCE_AMB_COUNT Section 6.2.41 on page 61
0x07C RESULT__RANGE_RETURN_CONV_TIME Section 6.2.42 on page 62
0x080 RESULT__RANGE_REFERENCE_CONV_TIME Section 6.2.43 on page 62
0x10A READOUT__AVERAGING_SAMPLE_PERIOD Section 6.2.44 on page 62
0x119 FIRMWARE__BOOTUP Section 6.2.44 on page 62
0x212 I2C_SLAVE__DEVICE_ADDRESS Section 6.2.46 on page 63

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6.2 Register descriptions

6.2.1 IDENTIFICATION__MODEL_ID

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
identification__model_id
R/W

Address: 0x000
Type: R/W
Reset: 0xB4
Description:
[7:0] identification__model_id: Device model identification number. 0xB4 = VL6180

6.2.2 IDENTIFICATION__MODEL_REV_MAJOR

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
RESERVED identification__model_rev_major
R R/W

Address: 0x001
Type: R/W
Reset: 0x01
Description:
[2:0] identification__model_rev_major: Revision identifier of the Device for major change.

6.2.3 IDENTIFICATION__MODEL_REV_MINOR

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
RESERVED identification__model_rev_minor
R R/W

Address: 0x002
Type: R/W
Reset: 0x03, register default overwritten at boot-up by NVM contents.
Description:
[2:0] identification__model_rev_minor: Revision identifier of the Device for minor change.
IDENTIFICATION__MODEL_REV_MINOR = 3 for latest ROM revision

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6.2.4 IDENTIFICATION__MODULE_REV_MAJOR

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
RESERVED identification__module_rev_major
R R/W

Address: 0x003
Type: R/W
Reset: 0xXX, register default overwritten at boot-up by NVM contents.
Description:
[2:0] identification__module_rev_major: Revision identifier of the Module Package for major change.
Used to store NVM content version. Contact ST for current information.
VL6180V0NR1: 001
VL6180V1NR1: 010

6.2.5 IDENTIFICATION__MODULE_REV_MINOR

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
RESERVED identification__module_rev_minor
R R/W

Address: 0x004
Type: R/W
Reset: 0xXX
Description:
[2:0] identification__module_rev_minor: Revision identifier of the Module Package for minor change.
Used to store NVM content version. Contact ST for current information.
VL6180V0NR1: 010
VL6180V1NR1: 000

6.2.6 IDENTIFICATION__DATE_HI

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
identification__year identification__month
R/W R/W

Address: 0x006
Type: R/W
Reset: 0xYY, register default overwritten at boot-up by NVM contents.
Description: Part of the register set that can be used to uniquely identify a module.

[7:4] identification__year: Last digit of manufacturing year (bits[3:0]).

[3:0] identification__month: Manufacturing month (bits[3:0]).

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6.2.7 IDENTIFICATION__DATE_LO

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
identification__day identification__phase
R/W R/W

Address: 0x007
Type: R/W
Reset: 0xYY, register default overwritten at boot-up by NVM contents.
Description: Part of the register set that can be used to uniquely identify a module.

[7:3] identification__day: Manufacturing day (bits[4:0]).

[2:0] identification__phase: Manufacturing phase identification (bits[2:0]).

6.2.8 IDENTIFICATION__TIME

15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
identification__time
R/W

Address: 0x008:0x009
Type: R/W
Reset: 0xYYYY, register default overwritten at boot-up by NVM contents.
Description: Part of the register set that can be used to uniquely identify a module.

[15:0] identification__time: Time since midnight (in seconds) = register_value * 2.

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6.2.9 SYSTEM__MODE_GPIO0

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

system__gpio0_is_xshutdown

system__gpio0_polarity

system__gpio0_select
RESERVED

RESERVED
R R/W R/W R/W R/W

Address: 0x010
Type: R/W
Reset: 0x60
Description:
[6] system__gpio0_is_xshutdown: Priority mode - when enabled, other bits of the register are
ignored. GPIO0 is main XSHUTDOWN input.
0: Disabled
1: Enabled - GPIO0 is main XSHUTDOWN input.
[5] system__gpio0_polarity: Signal Polarity Selection.
0: Active-low
1: Active-high
[4:1] system__gpio0_select: Functional configuration options.
0000: OFF (Hi-Z)
1000: GPIO Interrupt output
[0] Reserved. Write 0.

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6.2.10 SYSTEM__MODE_GPIO1

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

system__gpio1_polarity

system__gpio1_select
RESERVED

RESERVED
R R/W R/W R/W

Address: 0x011
Type: R/W
Reset: 0x20
Description:
[5] system__gpio1_polarity: Signal Polarity Selection.
0: Active-low
1: Active-high
[4:1] system__gpio1_select: Functional configuration options.
0000: OFF (Hi-Z)
1000: GPIO Interrupt output
[0] Reserved. Write 0.

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6.2.11 SYSTEM__HISTORY_CTRL

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

system__history_buffer_enable
system__history_buffer_mode
system__history_buffer_clear
RESERVED

R R/W R/W R/W

Address: 0x012
Type: R/W
Reset: 0x0
Description:
[2] system__history_buffer_clear: User-command to clear history (FW will auto-clear this bit when
clear has completed).
0: Disabled
1: Clear all history buffers
[1] system__history_buffer_mode: Select mode buffer results for:
0: Ranging (stores the last 8 ranging values (8-bit)
1: n/a
[0] system__history_buffer_enable: Enable History buffering.
0: Disabled
1: Enabled

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6.2.12 SYSTEM__INTERRUPT_CONFIG_GPIO

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
RESERVED RESERVED range_int_mode
R R/W R/W

Address: 0x014
Type: R/W
Reset: 0x0
Description:
[2:0] range_int_mode: Interrupt mode source for Range readings:
0: Disabled
1: Level Low (value < thresh_low)
2: Level High (value > thresh_high)
3: Out Of Window (value < thresh_low OR value > thresh_high)
4: New sample ready

6.2.13 SYSTEM__INTERRUPT_CLEAR

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
RESERVED int_clear_sig
R R/W

Address: 0x015
Type: R/W
Reset: 0x0
Description:
[2:0] int_clear_sig: Interrupt clear bits Writing a 1 to each bit will clear the intended interrupt note that
the int is only cleared upon the write command itself. 
Bit [0] - Clear Range Int 
Bit [1] - Reserved
Bit [2] - Clear Error Int.

6.2.14 SYSTEM__FRESH_OUT_OF_RESET

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
fresh_out_of_reset
RESERVED

R R/W

Address: 0x016
Type: R/W

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Reset: 0x1
Description:
[0] fresh_out_of_reset: Fresh out of reset bit, default of 1, user can set this to 0 after initial boot and
can therefore use this to check for a reset condition

6.2.15 SYSTEM__GROUPED_PARAMETER_HOLD

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

grouped_parameter_hold
RESERVED

R R/W

Address: 0x017
Type: R/W
Reset: 0x0
Description:
[0] grouped_parameter_hold: Flag set over I2C to indicate that data is being updated
0: Data is stable - FW is safe to copy
1: Data being updated - FW not safe to copy
Usage: set to 0x01 first, write any of the registers listed below, then set to 0x00 so that the
settings are used by the firmware at the start of the next measurement.
SYSTEM__INTERRUPT_CONFIG_GPIO
SYSRANGE__THRESH_HIGH
SYSRANGE__THRESH_LOW

6.2.16 SYSRANGE__START

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
sysrange__mode_select

sysrange__startstop
RESERVED

R R/W R/W

Address: 0x018
Type: R/W
Reset: 0x0

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Description:
[1] sysrange__mode_select: Device Mode select
0: Ranging Mode Single-Shot
1: Ranging Mode Continuous
[0] sysrange__startstop: StartStop trigger based on current mode and system configuration of
device_ready. FW clears register automatically.
Setting this bit to 1 in single-shot mode starts a single measurement. 
Setting this bit to 1 in continuous mode will either start continuous operation (if stopped) or halt
continuous operation (if started). 
This bit is auto-cleared in both modes of operation.

6.2.17 SYSRANGE__THRESH_HIGH

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
sysrange__thresh_high
R/W

Address: 0x019
Type: R/W
Reset: 0xFF
Description:
[7:0] sysrange__thresh_high: High Threshold value for ranging comparison. Range 0-255mm.

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6.2.18 SYSRANGE__THRESH_LOW

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
sysrange__thresh_low
R/W

Address: 0x01A
Type: R/W
Reset: 0x0
Description:
[7:0] sysrange__thresh_low: Low Threshold value for ranging comparison. Range 0-255mm.

6.2.19 SYSRANGE__INTERMEASUREMENT_PERIOD

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
sysrange__intermeasurement_period
R/W

Address: 0x01B
Type: R/W
Reset: 0xFF
Description:
[7:0] sysrange__intermeasurement_period: Time delay between measurements in Ranging
continuous mode. Range 0-254 (0 = 10ms). Step size = 10ms.

6.2.20 SYSRANGE__MAX_CONVERGENCE_TIME

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
RESERVED sysrange__max_convergence_time
R R/W

Address: 0x01C
Type: R/W
Reset: 0x31
Description:
[5:0] sysrange__max_convergence_time: Maximum time to run measurement in Ranging modes.
Range 1 - 63 ms (1 code = 1 ms); Measurement aborted when limit reached to aid power
reduction. For example, 0x01 = 1ms, 0x0a = 10ms.
Note: Effective max_convergence_time depends on readout_averaging_sample_period
setting.

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6.2.21 SYSRANGE__CROSSTALK_COMPENSATION_RATE

15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
sysrange__crosstalk_compensation_rate
R/W

Address: 0x01E
Type: R/W
Reset: 0x0
Description:
[15:0] sysrange__crosstalk_compensation_rate: User-controlled cross-talk compensation in Mcps
(9.7 format)

6.2.22 SYSRANGE__CROSSTALK_VALID_HEIGHT

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
sysrange__crosstalk_valid_height
R/W

Address: 0x021
Type: R/W
Reset: 0x14
Description:
[7:0] sysrange__crosstalk_valid_height: Minimum range value in mm to qualify for cross-talk
compensation.

6.2.23 SYSRANGE__EARLY_CONVERGENCE_ESTIMATE

15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
sysrange__early_convergence_estimate
R/W

Address: 0x022
Type: R/W
Reset: 0x0
Description:
[15:0] FW carries out an estimate of convergence rate 0.5ms into each new range measurement. If
convergence rate is below user input value, the operation aborts to save power.
Note: This register must be configured otherwise ECE should be disabled via
SYSRANGE__RANGE_CHECK_ENABLES.

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6.2.24 SYSRANGE__PART_TO_PART_RANGE_OFFSET

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
sysrange__part_to_part_range_offset
R/W

Address: 0x024
Type: R/W
Reset: 0xYY, register default overwritten at boot-up by NVM contents.
Description:
[7:0] sysrange__part_to_part_range_offset: 2s complement.

6.2.25 SYSRANGE__RANGE_IGNORE_VALID_HEIGHT

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
sysrange__range_ignore_valid_height
R/W

Address: 0x025
Type: R/W
Reset: 0x0, register default overwritten at boot-up by NVM contents.
Description:
[7:0] sysrange__range_ignore_valid_height: Range below which ignore threshold is applied. Aim is
to ignore the cover glass i.e. low signal rate at near distance. Should not be applied to low
reflectance target at far distance. Range in mm.
Note: It is recommended to set this register to 255 if the range ignore feature is used.

6.2.26 SYSRANGE__RANGE_IGNORE_THRESHOLD

15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
sysrange__range_ignore_threshold
R/W

Address: 0x026
Type: R/W
Reset: 0x00
Description:
[15:0] sysrange__range_ignore_threshold: User input min threshold signal return rate. Used to filter
out ranging due to cover glass when there is no target above the device. Mcps 9.7 format.
Note: Register must be initialized if this feature is used.

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6.2.27 SYSRANGE__MAX_AMBIENT_LEVEL_MULT

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
sysrange__max_ambient_level_mult
R/W

Address: 0x02C
Type: R/W
Reset: 0xA0, register default overwritten at boot-up by NVM contents.
Description:
[7:0] sysrange__max_ambient_level_mult: User input value to multiply return_signal_count for
AMB:signal ratio check. If amb counts > return_signal_count * mult then abandon
measurement due to high ambient (4.4 format).

6.2.28 SYSRANGE__RANGE_CHECK_ENABLES

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

sysrange__early_convergence_enable
sysrange__signal_to_noise_enable

sysrange__range_ignore_enable
RESERVED

R R/W R/W R R/W R/W

Address: 0x02D
Type: R/W
Reset: 0x11, register default overwritten at boot-up by NVM contents.
Description:
[4] sysrange__signal_to_noise_enable: Measurement enable/disable
[1] sysrange__range_ignore_enable: Measurement enable/disable
[0] sysrange__early_convergence_enable: Measurement enable/disable

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6.2.29 SYSRANGE__VHV_RECALIBRATE

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

sysrange__vhv_recalibrate
sysrange__vhv_status
RESERVED
R R/W R/W

Address: 0x02E
Type: R/W
Reset: 0x0
Description:
[1] sysrange__vhv_status: FW controlled status bit showing when FW has completed auto-vhv
process.
0: FW has finished autoVHV operation
1: During autoVHV operation
[0] sysrange__vhv_recalibrate: User-Controlled enable bit to force FW to carry out recalibration of
the VHV setting for sensor array. FW clears bit after operation carried out.
0: Disabled
1: Manual trigger for VHV recalibration. Can only be called when ranging is in STOP mode

6.2.30 SYSRANGE__VHV_REPEAT_RATE

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
sysrange__vhv_repeate_rate
R/W

Address: 0x031
Type: R/W
Reset: 0x0
Description:
[7:0] sysrange__vhv_repeate_rate: User entered repeat rate of auto VHV task (0 = off, 255 = after
every 255 measurements)

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6.2.31 RESULT__RANGE_STATUS

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

result__range_measurement_ready
result__range_max_threshold_hit
result__range_min_threshold_hit

result__range_device_ready
result__range_error_code

R R R R R

Address: 0x04D
Type: R
Reset: 0x1
Description:
[7:4] result__range_error_code: Specific error codes
0000: No error
0001: VCSEL Continuity Test
0010: VCSEL Watchdog Test
0011: VCSEL Watchdog
0100: PLL1 Lock
0101: PLL2 Lock
0110: Early Convergence Estimate
0111: Max Convergence
1000: No Target Ignore
1001: Not used
1010: Not used
1011: Max Signal To Noise Ratio
1100: Raw Ranging Algo Underflow
1101: Raw Ranging Algo Overflow
1110: Ranging Algo Underflow
1111: Ranging Algo Overflow
[3] result__range_min_threshold_hit: Legacy register - DO NOT USE
Use instead 6.2.32: RESULT__INTERRUPT_STATUS_GPIO.
[2] result__range_max_threshold_hit: Legacy register - DO NOT USE
Use instead 6.2.32: RESULT__INTERRUPT_STATUS_GPIO.
[1] result__range_measurement_ready: Legacy register - DO NOT USE
Use instead 6.2.32: RESULT__INTERRUPT_STATUS_GPIO.
[0] result__range_device_ready: Device Ready. When set to 1, indicates the device mode and
configuration can be changed and a new start command will be accepted. When 0, indicates
the device is busy. Any new start commands will be ignored until device is ready. (RO).

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6.2.32 RESULT__INTERRUPT_STATUS_GPIO

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
result_int_error_gpio RESERVED result_int_range_gpio
R R R

Address: 0x04F
Type: R
Reset: 0x0
Description:
[7:6] result_int_error_gpio: Interrupt bits for Error:
0: No error reported
1: Laser Safety Error
2: PLL error (either PLL1 or PLL2)
[2:0] result_int_range_gpio: Interrupt bits for Range:
0: No threshold events reported
1: Level Low threshold event
2: Level High threshold event
3: Out Of Window threshold event
4: New Sample Ready threshold event

6.2.33 RESULT__HISTORY_BUFFER_x

15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
RESULT__HISTOR
result__history_buffer_0
Y_BUFFER_0
RESULT__HISTOR
result__history_buffer_1
Y_BUFFER_1
RESULT__HISTOR
result__history_buffer_2
Y_BUFFER_2
RESULT__HISTOR
result__history_buffer_3
Y_BUFFER_3
RESULT__HISTOR
result__history_buffer_4
Y_BUFFER_4
RESULT__HISTOR
result__history_buffer_5
Y_BUFFER_5
RESULT__HISTOR
result__history_buffer_6
Y_BUFFER_6
RESULT__HISTOR
result__history_buffer_7
Y_BUFFER_7
R

Address: 0x052 + x * 0x2 (x=0 to 7)

Type: R
Reset: 0x0
Description: See also 6.2.11: SYSTEM__HISTORY_CTRL

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RESULT__HISTOR
result__history_buffer_0: Range result value. 
Y_BUFFER_0:
Range mode; Bits[15:8] range_val_latest; Bits[7:0] range_val_d1;
[15:0]
RESULT__HISTOR
result__history_buffer_1: Range result value. 
Y_BUFFER_1:
Range mode; Bits[15:8] range_val_d2; Bits[7:0] range_val_d3;
[15:0]
RESULT__HISTOR
result__history_buffer_2: Range result value. 
Y_BUFFER_2:
Range mode; Bits[15:8] range_val_d4; Bits[7:0] range_val_d5;
[15:0]
RESULT__HISTOR
result__history_buffer_3: Range result value. 
Y_BUFFER_3:
Range mode; Bits[15:8] range_val_d6; Bits[7:0] range_val_d7;
[15:0]
RESULT__HISTOR
result__history_buffer_4: Range result value. 
Y_BUFFER_4:
Range mode; Bits[15:8] range_val_d8; Bits[7:0] range_val_d9;
[15:0]
RESULT__HISTOR
result__history_buffer_5: Range result value. 
Y_BUFFER_5:
Range mode; Bits[15:8] range_val_d10; Bits[7:0] range_val_d11;
[15:0]
RESULT__HISTOR
result__history_buffer_6: Range result value. 
Y_BUFFER_6:
Range mode; Bits[15:8] range_val_d12; Bits[7:0] range_val_d13;
[15:0]
RESULT__HISTOR
result__history_buffer_7: Range result value. 
Y_BUFFER_7:
Range mode; Bits[15:8] range_val_d14; Bits[7:0] range_val_d15;
[15:0]

6.2.34 RESULT__RANGE_VAL

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
result__range_val
R

Address: 0x062
Type: R
Reset: 0x0
Description:
[7:0] result__range_val: Final range result value presented to the user for use. Unit is in mm.

6.2.35 RESULT__RANGE_RAW

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
result__range_raw
R

Address: 0x064
Type: R

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Reset: 0x0
Description:
[7:0] result__range_raw: Raw Range result value with offset applied (no cross-talk compensation
applied).

6.2.36 RESULT__RANGE_RETURN_RATE

15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
result__range_return_rate
R

Address: 0x066
Type: R
Reset: 0x0
Description:
[15:0] result__range_return_rate: sensor count rate of signal returns correlated to IR emitter.
Computed from RETURN_SIGNAL_COUNT / RETURN_CONV_TIME. Mcps 9.7 format

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6.2.37 RESULT__RANGE_REFERENCE_RATE

15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
result__range_reference_rate
R

Address: 0x068
Type: R
Reset: 0x0
Description:
[15:0] result__range_reference_rate: sensor count rate of reference signal returns. Computed from
REFERENCE_SIGNAL_COUNT / RETURN_CONV_TIME. Mcps 9.7 format
Note: Both arrays converge at the same time, so using the return array convergence time is
correct.

6.2.38 RESULT__RANGE_RETURN_SIGNAL_COUNT

31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
result__range_return_signal_count
R

Address: 0x06C
Type: R
Reset: 0x0
Description:
[31:0] result__range_return_signal_count: sensor count output value attributed to signal correlated to
IR emitter on the Return array.

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6.2.39 RESULT__RANGE_REFERENCE_SIGNAL_COUNT

31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
result__range_reference_signal_count
R

Address: 0x070
Type: R
Reset: 0x0
Description:
[31:0] result__range_reference_signal_count: sensor count output value attributed to signal
correlated to IR emitter on the Reference array.

6.2.40 RESULT__RANGE_RETURN_AMB_COUNT

31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
result__range_return_amb_count
R

Address: 0x074
Type: R
Reset: 0x0
Description:
[31:0] result__range_return_amb_count: sensor count output value attributed to uncorrelated ambient
signal on the Return array. Must be multiplied by 6 if used to calculate the ambient to signal
threshold.

6.2.41 RESULT__RANGE_REFERENCE_AMB_COUNT

31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
result__range_reference_amb_count
R

Address: 0x078
Type: R
Reset: 0x0
Description:
[31:0] result__range_reference_amb_count: sensor count output value attributed to uncorrelated
ambient signal on the Reference array.

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Device registers VL6180

6.2.42 RESULT__RANGE_RETURN_CONV_TIME

31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
result__range_return_conv_time
R

Address: 0x07C
Type: R
Reset: 0x0
Description:
[31:0] result__range_return_conv_time: sensor count output value attributed to signal on the Return
array.

6.2.43 RESULT__RANGE_REFERENCE_CONV_TIME

31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
result__range_reference_conv_time
R

Address: 0x080
Type: R
Reset: 0x0
Description:
[31:0] result__range_reference_conv_time: sensor count output value attributed to signal on the
Reference array.

6.2.44 READOUT__AVERAGING_SAMPLE_PERIOD

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
readout__averaging_sample_period
R/W

Address: 0x10A
Type: R/W
Reset: 0x30
Description:
[7:0] readout__averaging_sample_period: The internal readout averaging sample period can be
adjusted from 0 to 255. Increasing the sampling period decreases noise but also reduces the
effective max convergence time and increases power consumption:
Effective max convergence time = max convergence time - readout averaging period (see
Section 2.6: Range timing). Each unit sample period corresponds to around 64.5 µs additional
processing time. The recommended setting is 48 which equates to around 4.3 ms.

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VL6180 Device registers

6.2.45 FIRMWARE__BOOTUP

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

firmware__bootup
RESERVED
R R/W

Address: 0x119
Type: R/W
Reset: 0x1
Description:
[0] firmware__bootup: FW must set bit once initial boot has been completed.

6.2.46 I2C_SLAVE__DEVICE_ADDRESS

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
RESERVED super_i2c_slave__device_address
R R/W

Address: 0x212
Type: R/W
Reset: 0x29

[6:0] super_i2c_slave__device_address: User programmable I2C address (7-bit). Device address

can be re-designated after power-up.

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 7

64/73
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Outline drawing

5(9,6,216

5(9 '(6&5,37,21 '$7(

$ ,1,7,$/5(/($6( 
A A

COSMETIC
B CIRCLE B
 
Outline drawing

3267,215(7851 VENT ONLY /,*+7(0,66,21

$3(5785( $3(5785(

C C

DocID024986 Rev 14
“
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D D

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E AREA RESERVED FOR E

PART MARKING
127(6

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$6,163(&7,21',0(16,216

Tolerances, unless otherwise stated Interpret drawing per BS8888, Material
Figure 29. Outline drawing - module - VL6180V1NR/1 - (page 1/2)

Linear 3RD Angle Projection Drawn Scale

All dimensions
0 Place Decimals 0 ±0.05 DAVID MCARDLE in mm Do Not Scale
F 1 Place Decimals 0.0 ±0.05 - 25:1 F
2 Place Decimals 0.00 ±0.05 Date STMicroelectronics
Angular ±0.25 degrees Finish 18 AUG 14 Imaging Division
Diameter +0.05 -
Position 0.10 Part No. Title Sheet
VL6180 BABYBEAR NAH
Surface Finish 1.6 microns 8570588 MODULE OUTLINE DRAWING 1 OF
VL6180V1NR/1 2
1 2 3 6 7 8
VL6180
 VL6180

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
REV A


A ,1326 A


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B PIN INDICATOR B



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TOLERANCE 0.03 APPLIES

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DocID024986 Rev 14
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D &211(&7,217$%/( D
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Figure 30. Outline drawing - module - VL6180V1NR/1 - (page 2/2)

Tolerances, unless otherwise stated Interpret drawing per BS8888,

Linear 3RD Angle Projection Drawn Scale
All dimensions
0 Place Decimals 0 ±0.05 DAVID MCARDLE in mm Do Not Scale
F 1 Place Decimals 0.0 ±0.05 - 25:1 F
2 Place Decimals 0.00 ±0.05 Date STMicroelectronics
Angular ±0.25 degrees Finish 18 AUG 14 Imaging Division
Diameter +0.05 -
Position 0.10 Part No. Title Sheet
VL6180 BABYBEAR NAH
Surface Finish 1.6 microns 8570588 VL6180V1NR/1
MODULE OUTLINE DRAWING 2 OF 2

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Outline drawing

1 2 3 6 7 8

69
Laser safety considerations VL6180

8 Laser safety considerations

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 IEC 60825-1:2007. The laser output will
remain within Class 1 limits as long as the STMicroelectronics recommended device
settings are used and the operating conditions specified in this datasheet are respected.
The laser output power must not be increased by any means and no optics should be used
with the intention of focusing the laser beam.

Figure 31. Class 1 laser product label

8.1 Compliance
Complies with 21 CFR 1040.10 and 1040.11 except for deviations pursuant to Laser Notice
No.50, dated June 24, 2007.

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VL6180 Ordering information

9 Ordering information

VL6180 is currently available in the following format. More detailed information is available
on request.

Table 26. Delivery format

Order code Description

VL6180V1NR/1 Tape and reel (5000 units in a reel).

9.1 Traceability and identification

Latest ROM revision can be identified as follows:
0x002 IDENTIFICATION__MODEL_REV_MINOR = 3
The minimum information required for traceability is the content of the following registers:
0x006 - IDENTIFICATION__DATE_HI
0x007 - IDENTIFICATION__DATE_LO
0x008 - IDENTIFICATION__TIME (16-bit)
0x00A - IDENTIFICATION__CODE
With this information, the module can be uniquely identified.
Preferably, all the IDENTIFICATION register contents should be provided for traceability.

9.2 Part marking

Devices are marked on the underside as shown below. 1st line is the product ID. 2nd line is
the manufacturing info. (circled in green), where the 1st four letters are the lot ID and the
last 3 digits are the year + week number. Here: 338 is 2013 wk38. The final letter, circled in
red, is the ROM revision (‘E’).

Figure 32. Part marking

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69
Ordering information VL6180

9.3 Packaging
The VL6180 is available in tape and reel packaging as shown in Figure 33. All dimensions
are in mm.

Figure 33. Tape and reel packaging


 'R  3R

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:




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3R 
3 
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7 
:
          

9.3.1 Package labeling

The labeling on the packing carton is shown in Figure 34. The latest ROM revision is
indicated alongside the order code (shaded green) and also after the product marking
(shaded pink).

Figure 34. Package labeling

9/9[15
9/9[15/&


1RWH[LQW\SHLVHTXDOWRRU

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VL6180 Ordering information

9.4 Storage
The VL6180 is a MSL 3 package.

Table 27. Storage conditions

Floor Life (out of bag) at Factory
Level
Ambient <30oC/60% RH

3 1 Week

After this limit, dry bake to be done; 6 hours at 85oC.

9.5 ROHS Compliance

The VL6180 is Ecopack2 compliant as per ST definition.
Devices which are ROHS compliant even with use of ROHS exemption(s) and free of
Halogenated flame retardant are named ECOPACK2 devices with the following definition:
 ROHS compliant even with use of ROHS exemption(s)
 500 ppm maximum of Antimony as oxide or organic compound in each organic
assembly material (glue, substrate, mod compounds, housing...). Antimony in ceramic
parts, in glass and in solder alloy is not restricted.
 900 ppm maximum Bromine + Chlorine in each organic assembly material (glue,
substrate, mold compounds, housing...)
These values are referring to maximum total content not to extractable ions content.
Purchasing specification of assembly materials can impose lower values for technical
reasons.
ECOPACK2 devices are of course fully compliant to ST banned and declarable substances
specification and for example cannot contain red Phosphorus flame retardant.

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ECOPACK® VL6180

10 ECOPACK®

In order to meet environmental requirements, ST offers these devices in different grades of

ECOPACK® packages, depending on their level of environmental compliance. ECOPACK®
specifications, grade definitions and product status are available at: www.st.com.
ECOPACK® is an ST trademark.

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VL6180 Revision history

11 Revision history

Table 28. Document revision history

Date Revision Changes

23-Sep-2013 1 Initial release.

General update for latest ROM revision:
Section 1.1: Technical specification updated
Section 1.4: Typical application schematic updated
Section 1.5: Recommended solder pad dimensions updated
Notes added to Figure 5.: Recommended reflow profile
Section 4: I2C control interface updated.
Section 5.1: Absolute maximum ratings added
30-Jan-2014 1.1
Section 5.2: Normal operating conditions extended
Section 4: I2C control interface added
Revised outline drawing added to Section 7: Outline drawing
Class 1 laser product label added to Section Figure 29.: Outline
drawing - module - VL6180V1NR/1 - (page 1/2)
Section 8.1: Compliance added information relating to device
marking and package labeling
Section 6.2.32: RESULT__INTERRUPT_STATUS_GPIO
corrected error codes.
Section 4: I2C control interface updated to show ranging beyond
20-Feb-2014 1.2
100mm.
Section 6.2.20: SYSRANGE__MAX_CONVERGENCE_TIME
updated.
Section Figure 21.: Typical ranging performance updated to add
28-Feb-2014 1.3
the concept of detection rate..
Update to the following sections:
Section 1.5: Recommended solder pad dimensions
Section 5.2: Normal operating conditions
Section 5.3: Electrical characteristics
24-Mar-2014 2 Section 3.1: Proximity ranging (0 to 100mm)
Section Figure 21.: Typical ranging performance
Added 11: Revision history and Appendix B: Extended range
settings
Added outline drawing of 2nd module cap supplier in Section 7:
10-Jun-2014 3 Outline drawing
Added Section 8.1: Compliance
12-Jun-2014 4 Update with single outline drawing
Updates:
7-Jul-2014 5 Figure 32: Part marking
Figure 34: Package labeling
Updates:
Section 2: Functional description
20-Aug-2014 6 Section 6: Device registers
Typical ranging performance graph updated.
Delivery & manufacturing info updated.

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Revision history VL6180

Table 28. Document revision history (continued)

Date Revision Changes

Add:
- Figure 29 and Figure 30
6-Nov-2014 7 - VL6180V1NR/1 ordering code in Table 26.
Modify title of Figure 29 and Figure 29
Update package figure on first page and Figure 34
Updates:
11-Dec-2014 8
– Figure 20: Cross-talk vs air gap
Add
– Footnote below Table 1: Technical specification
– Section 2.2: System state diagram
Update:
– Section 2.15.4: Cross-talk calibration procedure
17-Dec-2014 9
– Section 6.2.4: IDENTIFICATION__MODULE_REV_MAJOR
– Section 6.2.5: IDENTIFICATION__MODULE_REV_MINOR
Move
– Figure 21: Typical ranging performance to Section 3.1: Proximity
ranging (0 to 100mm)
Updates:
– API integrated into datasheet
– Section 2.14.3: Current distribution
– Section 2.15.3: Offset calibration procedure
– Section 2.15.4: Cross-talk calibration procedure
15-Oct-2015 10
Add:
– Section 2.11: Wrap Around Filter
– Section 2.12: Scaling
– Section 2.13: Maximum ranging distance (Dmax)
– Section 4.1: I2C interface - timing characteristics
Update:
11-May-2016 11
– Section 2.15.6: Cross-talk vs air gap, keep only one figure.
13-Mar-2017 12 Remove VL6180V0NR/1 device version
28-Feb-2020 13 Removed confidential watermark
xx-Jul-2021 14 Updated cover image

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IMPORTANT NOTICE – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

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Purchasers are solely responsible for the choice, selection, and use of ST products and ST assumes no liability for application assistance or
the design of Purchasers’ products.

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© 2021 STMicroelectronics – All rights reserved

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