STMicroelectronics P-NUCLEO-53L1A1

Overview

P-NUCLEO-53L1A1 from STMicroelectronics is a complete evaluation kit comprising the X-NUCLEO-53L1A1 expansion board and NUCLEO-F401RE main board, enabling rapid prototyping of VL53L1X Time-of-Flight (ToF) long-distance ranging applications. It integrates two VL53L1X sensors, Arduino UNO R3-compatible connectors, 2.8 V regulation, I²C interface (PB8/PB9), and interrupt-capable GPIOs (PA4, PC1, PA10, PB5) for multi-sensor synchronization.

For engineers reviewing the P-NUCLEO-53L1A1 datasheet, P-NUCLEO-53L1A1 pinout, P-NUCLEO-53L1A1 application, or P-NUCLEO-53L1A1 equivalent, this kit delivers validated hardware-software integration for ToF-based proximity, gesture, and occupancy sensing - with full GUI, code examples, and X-CUBE-53L1A1 middleware available at st.com/VL53L1X.

Technical Context

The kit implements a dual-sensor ToF architecture using ST's FlightSense™ technology, measuring absolute distance up to 4 m independent of target reflectance via precise time-of-flight calculation-not intensity-based triangulation. The VL53L1X sensors operate at 2.8 V, communicate over I²C at up to 400 kHz, and support programmable timing budgets and inter-measurement periods.

The NUCLEO-F401RE (STM32F401RE MCU) provides ARM Cortex-M4 core, 84 MHz operation, 512 KB Flash, and dedicated GPIOs for sensor control, interrupt handling, and level-shifting-enabling real-time sensor fusion, multi-zone ranging, and host-side calibration without external logic.

Key Specifications

Availability

P-NUCLEO-53L1A1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial occupancy detection, robotics obstacle avoidance, smart appliance gesture interfaces, and automotive cabin presence sensing requiring stable component supply and rapid proof-of-concept validation.

Supply support for P-NUCLEO-53L1A1 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, designing and manufacturing microcontrollers, sensors, power ICs, and analog/mixed-signal products for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

This kit belongs to ST's NUCLEO ecosystem and VL53L1X FlightSense™ platform - engineered specifically for robust, reflectance-independent distance measurement in space-constrained, low-power embedded systems.

FAQ

Does P-NUCLEO-53L1A1 include firmware preloaded on the STM32F401RE?

No. The NUCLEO-F401RE ships unprogrammed. Users must flash the provided X-CUBE-53L1A1 firmware via ST-LINK/V2-1 (integrated on board) using STM32CubeIDE or STM32CubeProgrammer. Example projects and GUI are downloadable from st.com/VL53L1X under "TOOLS AND SOFTWARE > Ecosystem".

Can both VL53L1X breakout boards operate simultaneously on the same I²C bus?

Yes - but only if their I²C addresses are differentiated. By default, both breakout boards share address 0x29. One must be reconfigured via the XSHUT pin (controlled by PA7 or PB6) to use address 0x2A before initialization. The X-NUCLEO-53L1A1 hardware supports this dual-address setup through dedicated GPIO routing.

What mechanical accessories are included for optical alignment?

The kit includes two cover windows (standard and high-transmission variants) and three spacer heights (0.25 mm, 0.5 mm, 1 mm) to simulate controlled air gaps between sensor window and cover glass - enabling accurate characterization of optical crosstalk and field-of-view effects during prototype tuning.

Is the VL53L1X laser output safe for human exposure in continuous operation?

Yes. The VL53L1X emitter is certified Class 1 per IEC 60825-1:2014 under all normal and single-fault conditions when operated within ST's specified voltage, temperature, and timing budget limits. No additional safety enclosures or interlocks are required for end-user deployment.