Hi:
A guide for using the artificial intelligence enabler VL53L7CH and VL53L8CH multizone Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors - User manual
According to UM file, a multi-module implementation using several VL53L7CH or VL53L8CH devices is supported at system level.
Both devices support I²C communication. VL53L8CH also supports SPI.
Section 2.3 states that the I²C address can be changed to avoid conflicts and to facilitate the use of multiple modules for a greater system FoV.
UM3183 also includes reference diagrams for:
Multiple sensors on I²C bus
Multiple sensors on SPI (for VL53L8CH)
Therefore, from a hardware connectivity point of view, using 4 sensors in one system is possible.
However, it is important to clarify that this does not create a native single-device 16×16 zone sensor. Each module still operates independently with its own 8×8 output. A larger effective array can only be achieved by host-side stitching / fusion of the four sensor outputs.
In addition, the resulting FoV extension should not be considered seamless. Based on the module optical structure and orientation behavior described in UM3183, several practical limitations must be taken into account:
each sensor has its own zone orientation
the effective image is subject to horizontal and vertical flip
module mounting orientation must be kept consistent
optical axes may not be perfectly aligned
mechanical tolerances may introduce offsets
adjacent FoVs may overlap or leave gaps
edge zones may not behave exactly like center zones
For these reasons, a 4-sensor arrangement should be considered as a system-level expanded FoV solution, rather than a perfect mathematically uniform 16×16 grid.
Main limitations
Hardware
On I²C, each device must be assigned a different address, typically by controlling LPn during initialization.
On SPI (VL53L8CH only), each sensor requires an independent NCS line.
Mechanical placement, sensor orientation, FoV overlap, and possible optical interaction between modules must be carefully evaluated.
Software
The ULD does not provide a built-in function to merge 4 sensors into a native 16×16 output.
The host must handle initialization, synchronization, coordinate remapping, calibration, and data fusion.
Using 4 sensors increases bus traffic, memory usage, and host processing load.
Reference in UM3183
Please refer to:
Section 2.3 – Schematics and I²C/SPI configuration
Figure 4 – Multiple sensors on I²C bus
Figure 5 – Multiple sensors on SPI
Section 2.2 – Effective orientation
Section 4.15 – External synchronization pin (VL53L8CH only)
Best regards,
Bin FAN
