LightRanger 14 Click

How does it work?

LightRanger 14 Click is based on the TMF8829, a high-performance direct time-of-flight (dToF) sensor from ams OSRAM capable of providing depth resolution up to 48x32 zones with an exceptionally wide field of view of 80° (diagonal, 4:3 aspect ratio). The TMF8829 combines advanced SPAD detection, time-to-digital conversion, and histogram processing technologies within a single package, allowing precise distance measurements from as close as 10mm up to 11.000mm. This sensor delivers outstanding signal-to-noise ratio, high dynamic range, and immunity to multi-path reflections, ensuring stable and reliable operation even in demanding optical environments. The LightRanger 14 Click is an ideal solution for both industrial and consumer-grade distance and depth measurement systems including laser detect autofocus (LDAF), depth mapping for bokeh effects, simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), robotic automation tasks such as obstacle avoidance, cliff detection, and room scanning, as well as people counting and advanced gesture recognition.

Featuring configurable output resolutions of 8x8, 16x16, 32x32, and 48x32 depth maps, the TMF8829 can adapt to a wide range of applications from long-range sensing to high-resolution depth imaging while maintaining accuracy with a minimum measurable distance of just 1cm and a fine resolution of 0.25mm. The embedded Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) and multi-lens-array (MLA) expand the field of illumination, enabling efficient and uniform projection across the entire sensing area. All essential signal processing is performed internally, offloading the host system and providing direct access to processed distance data, confidence levels, signal amplitudes, and ambient light information.

This Click board™ is designed in a unique format supporting the newly introduced MIKROE feature called "Click Snap." Unlike the standardized version of Click boards, this feature allows the main sensor/IC/module area to become movable by breaking the PCB, opening many new possibilities for implementation. Thanks to the Snap feature, the TMF8829 can operate autonomously by accessing its signals directly on the pins marked 1-8. Additionally, the Snap part includes a specified and fixed screw hole position, enabling users to secure the Snap board in their desired location.

The TMF8829 supports both I2C (I3C-compatible) and SPI interfaces, selectable via COMM SEL jumpers, offering fast and flexible communication for raw data streaming and algorithmic results. It can also deliver full histogram data at high speed, making it suitable for AI-enabled applications that rely on machine learning or computer vision for environmental awareness. The sensor’s dToF architecture supports detection of up to four objects per depth point simultaneously and maintains high accuracy even when the sensor cover glass is smudged or contaminated. Besides interface pins, the board also includes an EN pin for device enable control and an INT pin for interrupt signaling from the sensor, allowing straightforward system integration and event-driven operation.

This Click board™ can be operated only with a 3.3V logic voltage level. The board must perform appropriate logic voltage level conversion before using MCUs with different logic levels. It also comes equipped with a library containing functions and example code that can be used as a reference for further development.

Click Snap

Click Snap is an innovative feature of our standardized Click add-on boards, designed to bring greater flexibility and optimize your prototypes. By simply snapping the PCB along predefined lines, you can easily detach the main sensor/IC/module area, reducing the overall size, weight, and power consumption - ideal for the final phase of prototyping. For more details about Click Snap, visit the official page dedicated to this feature.

Specifications

Pinout diagram

This table shows how the pinout on LightRanger 14 Click corresponds to the pinout on the mikroBUS™ socket (the latter shown in the two middle columns).

Notes	Pin					Pin	Notes
	NC	1	AN	PWM	16	EN	Device Enable
ID SEL	RST	2	RST	INT	15	INT	Interrupt
SPI Select / ID COMM	CS	3	CS	RX	14	NC
SPI Clock	SCK	4	SCK	TX	13	NC
SPI Data OUT	SDO	5	MISO	SCL	12	SCL	I2C Clock
SPI Data IN	SDI	6	MOSI	SDA	11	SDA	I2C Data
Power Supply	3.3V	7	3.3V	5V	10	5V	Power Supply
Ground	GND	8	GND	GND	9	GND	Ground

Onboard settings and indicators

LightRanger 14 Click electrical specifications

Software Support

LightRanger 14 Click demo application is developed using the NECTO Studio, ensuring compatibility with mikroSDK's open-source libraries and tools. Designed for plug-and-play implementation and testing, the demo is fully compatible with all development, starter, and mikromedia boards featuring a mikroBUS™ socket.

Example Description

This example demonstrates the use of the LightRanger 14 Click board by initializing the device, loading the firmware and configuration, and then reading and displaying distance measurement results. Each measurement frame contains distance data (in millimeters) and a confidence value. Data is displayed only if confidence exceeds a threshold, otherwise it is marked as invalid. The example also logs the device information such as firmware version, chip version, and serial number.

Key Functions

• lightranger14_cfg_setup This function initializes Click configuration structure to initial values.
• lightranger14_init This function initializes all necessary pins and peripherals used for this Click board.
• lightranger14_default_cfg This function executes a default configuration of LightRanger 14 Click board.
• lightranger14_start_measurement This function starts measurement by writing the measure command to the command register.
• lightranger14_read_results This function reads the measurement results frame including header, payload, and footer.
• lightranger14_stop_measurement This function stops measurement by writing the stop command to the command register.

Application Init

Initializes the log interface, sets up the LightRanger 14 Click driver, loads the default configuration for 8x8 measurement map, and prints device information.

Application Task

Waits for a data ready interrupt, clears the interrupt flags, and then reads and logs the distance frame results with confidence filtering. The chip temperature and status flags are also displayed.

Application Output

This Click board can be interfaced and monitored in two ways:

• Application Output - Use the "Application Output" window in Debug mode for real-time data monitoring. Set it up properly by following this tutorial.
• UART Terminal - Monitor data via the UART Terminal using a USB to UART converter. For detailed instructions, check out this tutorial.

Additional Notes and Information

The complete application code and a ready-to-use project are available through the NECTO Studio Package Manager for direct installation in the NECTO Studio. The application code can also be found on the MIKROE GitHub account.