Example Code for Arduino-UART Ranging

Hardware Preparation

• DFRduino UNO R3 (or similar) x 1
• Gravity: IO Expansion Shield for Arduino V7.1 x1
• TFS20-L LiDAR x1
• 0.8mm-to-2.54mm Dupont Cable (20cm) x1

Software Preparation

• Arduino IDE
• Download the DFRobot_TFmini library, which is a general library for TF series single-point LiDAR.

Wiring Diagram

Connect pin 5 of TFS20-L to GND for UART mode. Adjust the VCC voltage of Arduino UNO R3 development board to 3.3V. Do not power TFS20-L with 5V. It will get hot if powered with 5V for a long time.

Other Preparation Work

Adjust the VCC voltage of Arduino UNO R3 development board to 3.3V. Do not power TFS20-L with 5V. It will get hot if powered with 5V for a long time.

Sample Code

#include <DFRobot_TFmini.h>
SoftwareSerial mySerial(8, 9); // RX, TX
DFRobot_TFmini  TFmini;
uint16_t distance, strength;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  TFmini.begin(mySerial);
}

void loop() {
  if (TFmini.measure()) {                    
    distance = TFmini.getDistance();       
    strength = TFmini.getStrength();       
    Serial.print("Distance = ");
    Serial.print(distance);
    Serial.println("cm");
    Serial.print("Strength = ");
    Serial.println(strength);
    delay(100);
  }
  delay(100);
}

Result

Print the collected distance value and signal strength value.