VL53L5CX under Micropython

L77d · ‎2024-03-05

Hi,

Is there a way to interface VL53L5CX SATEL connected to a STM32F767ZI under micropython ?

Thx

John E KVAM · ‎2024-03-05

There are a couple of issues here. The first is that the code that talks to the sensor is written in C. And although you could translate that to micropython, I feel it would be much easier to dig into micropython and see if it can call functions written in C. Then it would be easy to integrate.

I did a quick google and came up with:

MicroPython external C modules — MicroPython latest documentation

It sure seems to imply that not only is it possible, it's easy. However, I did NOT read it carefully.

If you do this, keep in mind that the VL53L5 code resolved down to I2C reads and writes in the file called Platform.C

As we don't know which processor you are running on, you have to populate those empty files for your processor.

(See if you can borrow this from GitHub. Lots of projects there.)

I'd say go for it.

And if you get it to go, feel free to brag a bit and put the code on GitHub.

Good luck,

- john

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Andrew Neil · ‎2024-03-05

The VL53L5CX (like any other I2C slave) neither knows nor cares what language you write your code in - all it sees is transactions on the I2C bus.

So you just have to write appropriate code - in any language you like - to do the appropriate transactions on the I2C bus.

https://docs.micropython.org/en/latest/library/machine.I2C.html

L77d · ‎2024-03-05

Thank you for your answer

But It seems that VL53LCX does not interface like other I2C sensors but uses an ULD (ultra lite driver).

Is there a driver specific to micropython ?

L77d · ‎2024-03-05

Hello,

Where to find the C code and how to translate it in micropython ?

Why is the VL53L5CX not communicate as usual I2C components ?

Andrew Neil · ‎2024-03-05

That's all above the I2C - the VL53LCX is oblivious to that.

John E KVAM · ‎2024-03-05

Absolutely true! But if L77D uses the ST functions written in C, he is going to have to look in the Platform.c file and implement those functions such as VL53L4CX_WrByte() that access the I2C. These functions are empty in the ST delivery. Doesn't matter how he implements them.

It's my standard warning. I get a lot of calls saying "my I2C doesn't work", and it's because those functions are still empty. I should have put a divide by zero or some error trap in there instead of leaving them empty.

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L77d · ‎2024-03-05

Sorry but i'm not sure to anderstand both of you

One say to transcript C code to Micropython or interfacing C code with it (where is that code)

One seems to say communication with VL53L5CX is implicit ?

Do not understand the way to follow

Andrew Neil · ‎2024-03-05

If you want ready-made code, then that code is in C - that's what @John E KVAM said.

Note that you shouldn't need to "transcript" it - you should be able to call it from MicroPython.

What I'm saying is that there's nothing to stop you writing your own code in MicroPython to do the comms (over I2C) from scratch.

@L77d wrote:
Do not understand the way to follow

It sounds like you are not experienced with doing this kind of thing from scratch - so probably best to follow what @John E KVAM said.

You could try putting "VL53L5CX MicroPython" into your favourite internet search engine to see if there's any 3rd-party resources or solutions out there ...