SparkFun Qwiic Mini dToF Imager - TMF8821

The SparkFun Qwiic Mini dToF TMF8821 Imager is a direct time-of-flight (dToF) sensor that includes a single modular package with an associated Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) from AMS. The dToF device is based on a single-photon avalanche photodiode (SPAD) a time-to-digital converter (TDC) and histogram technology to achieve a 5000mm detection range. Because of its lens on the SPAD it supports 3x3 4x4 and 3x6 multizone output data as well as a very wide dynamically adjustable field of view. A multi-lens-array (MLA) inside the package above the VCSEL widens the FoI (field of illumination). All processing of the raw data is performed on-chip and the TMF8821 provides distance information together with confidence values on its I2C interface. The high-performance on-chip optical filter blocks most ambient light and enables distance measurements in both dark and sunlight environments.To make it even easier to get your readings all communication is handled exclusively via I2C using our handy Qwiic system so no soldering is required to connect it to the rest of your system. However we still have broken out 0.1”-spaced pins in case you prefer to use a breadboard. The TMF8821 offers two configurable GPIO pins and one enable (EN) pin which are broken out as PTH pads. The board also includes a power LED and I2C pull-up resistors each of which is configurable via jumpers. This Mini version has a footprint that is half the size (0.5in. x 1.0in.) of our standard Qwiic Mini dToF TMF8821 Imager board. Additionally we moved the Qwiic connectors to the back of the board. These design changes favor mounting applications where the TMF8821 sensor faces outward from an enclosure or chassis and keep your Qwiic cables cleanly tucked away.This sensor is great for projects such as distance measurement for camera autofocus - Laser Detect Autofocus - LDAF (mobile phone) presence detection (computing and communication) object detection and collision avoidance (robotics) and light curtain (industrial).Important: We recommend a microcontroller with sufficient flash to run your program. Sorry Uno's (or any development board using the ATmega328P) are out. We recommend choosing an Artemis Thing Plus an ESP32 Thing Plus or a comparable device as your development board.