VL53L8CH Detection Thresholds: Corresponding mode and power consumption?

[KKKK9]

Hello,

I’ve been reviewing the current consumption section (Section 7.4) of the VL53L8CH datasheet.

I’m currently using the Detection Thresholds plugin, and I would like to ask:

1. Which power mode does this correspond to?

   • Continuous mode (Table 15)?

   • Autonomous mode (Table 16)?

2. When Detection Thresholds are enabled, what are the assumed internal ranging settings (e.g., frame rate or integration time)?

Additionally, if we reduce the integration time to 1 ms, could you clarify:

• How much power savings can we expect?

• Would this affect detection reliability or ranging stability?

Thank you for your support.

[John E KVAM · Accepted solution]

Continuous mode means that when one range is done, another starts immediately. So, in this mode the sensor is going to consume the max amount of power. You choose how many ranges per second, and the sensor will integrate for whatever time it can. (At 15 frames continuous, each integration takes 1/15 of a second.

Autonomous mode (which is an awful name) means the ranging is intermittent. You can choose for how long you integrate and how long to rest between ranges. 

Lots of people range once per second using 10ms integration time. 

So take the line marked 'active ranging' and multiply that by the amount of ranging you are going to do in one second. 

As for your 1ms ranging. I don't think you can go that low with any amount of precision. 

(Longer integration time -> more precision and more power consumption.)

But the chart says:

8x8 mode 1 Hz frame rate with 5 ms integration time -> 6.7

Meaning you range in 8x8 mode for 5ms, one time per second and you consume 6.7mW.

So, at one 1ms integration time, I'd guess about 2mW. (there is some overhead).

But I doubt you would like the answer, unless you just wanted a there/not there kind of answer. 

Can you get by with 4x4? That would get you down to 1.6mW with accuracy. 

- john