4 m ranging ceiling — the fit decision
The VL53L1CXV0FY/1 is an STMicroelectronics FlightSense™ Time-of-Flight ranging sensor that measures distance up to 4 m (157.480 in) via a VCSEL emitter and SPAD receiver, communicating over an I²C bus. That 4 m range is the headline spec — it covers room-scale presence detection, drone landing assist, and bin-level sensing where a 2 m sensor would leave dead zones. The -20°C to 85°C operating range covers indoor commercial and most industrial ambient environments — not extended for outdoor winter starts below -20°C, but fine for a warehouse robot or office occupancy sensor.
Active lifecycle — no LTB clock ticking
STMicroelectronics lists the VL53L1CXV0FY/1 as Active.
Supplied in Tape & Reel (TR) with Cut Tape (CT) option — the reel format suits automated pick-and-place for production runs; the cut tape works for prototype builds and small-batch rework. The package itself is a compact optical module with an integrated VCSEL and receiver aperture; the board layout must keep the sensor window clear of obstructions and avoid placing tall components in the field of view within the first few centimetres of the optical axis.