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Time of flight sensor
Electronic distance measurement is used in construction, renovation works, mobile robotics, automatic vehicles, and even drone control or systems for military purposes. Of primary importance for the performance of a given rangefinder model is the technology used in it, with the laser methods being by far the most promising and at the same time the most developed by many leading manufacturers. Fortunately, the achievements of modern optoelectronics have already made it "under the roof", and amateurs can successfully use dozens of models of distance sensors, compatible with the most popular development and prototyping platforms.
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Time-of-Flight distance measurement
As the name suggests, measuring the distance of objects using the Time-of-Flight method is based on determining the time of flight of the light beam from the transmitter to the obstacle, and then (after reflecting from it) back. The time from sending a light impulse to its re-acquisition is therefore twice as long as it would result from the distance between the rangefinder and the detected object - this simple principle of operation, with the knowledge of the speed of light propagation in the air (close to the speed in vacuum), allows you to quickly calculate the actual the distance traveled by the photons. So much for the theory - practice, as usual, turns out to be a bit more complicated, because it is worth noting that at the enormous speed of light (300,000 km/s), the time in which light travels a distance of 1 cm is only 67 ps (1 picosecond = 1/1000000000000 seconds)! ToF sensors are therefore extremely advanced electronically, because they must work in a very strong time regime. Fortunately, today such advanced elements are available even to electronics amateurs and at incredibly affordable prices.
Laser distance sensors - what to choose for distance measurement in different applications?
When choosing a modular or integrated rangefinder, you should ask yourself what parameters do we expect from our sensor? Tiny integrated sensors, e.g. VL53L5CX, usually offer a relatively small measuring range, not exceeding a few meters, but their accuracy reaches even single millimeters - therefore they are perfect for small mobile robots (including minisumo). If you plan to build a very fast-moving vehicle (e.g. a drone), it is worth paying attention to slightly larger modules with an incomparably longer range. For example, the analog Lidar TF03 module allows you to measure distances up to 180 meters, and the TF350 - even 350 meters! In addition, these devices have an IP67 tightness class, thanks to which they can work even in the most unfavorable weather conditions.