STMicroelectronics SATEL-VL53L7CX

Overview

SATEL-VL53L7CX from STMicroelectronics is a breakout board based on the VL53L7CX Time-of-Flight 8×8 multizone ranging sensor, delivering accurate absolute distance measurement independent of target reflectance, with 90° diagonal field of view and support for 4×4 or 8×8 zone output - used in VR/AR headsets, drone obstacle avoidance, and wearable gesture interfaces.

For engineers reviewing the SATEL-VL53L7CX datasheet, SATEL-VL53L7CX pinout, SATEL-VL53L7CX application, or SATEL-VL53L7CX equivalent, this board enables rapid integration via snap-off mini-PCB design, dual six-pin connectors for X-NUCLEO-53L7A1, and flying-wire 3.3 V operation - critical for compact embedded depth-sensing prototyping.

Technical Context

The SATEL-VL53L7CX implements a modular hardware interface to the VL53L7CXV0GC/1 sensor IC, featuring on-board voltage regulation (XC6222D331MR-G LDO), configurable I²C pull-ups (2.2 kΩ), and programmable low-power control (LPn) and interrupt (INT) signaling. It supports both direct stacking onto STM32 Nucleo expansion headers and standalone use via flying wires.

Perforated PCB segmentation allows physical separation into two independent mini-boards, each retaining full sensor functionality with AVDD (6.3 V), IOVDD (10 V), I²C_RST, SCL, SDA, LPn, and INT terminals - all routed to 0.8 × 1.6 mm edge pads compatible with fine-pitch hand-soldering or pogo-pin test fixtures.

Key Specifications

Availability

SATEL-VL53L7CX is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for VR/AR headset development, drone proximity sensing, wearable gesture control, and industrial presence detection requiring stable component supply and rapid evaluation-to-production transition.

Supply support for SATEL-VL53L7CX 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 devices for industrial, automotive, and consumer applications.

The SATEL-VL53L7CX belongs to ST's Time-of-Flight evaluation and expansion board product line, engineered specifically to accelerate prototyping and system integration of VL53L7CX-based depth-sensing solutions in space-constrained embedded platforms.

FAQ

What voltage rails does the SATEL-VL53L7CX require?

The board accepts AVDD at 6.3 V and IOVDD at 10 V to power the VL53L7CX sensor core. It generates a regulated 3.3 V supply for logic-level interfacing via an onboard XC6222D331MR-G LDO. No external 3.3 V source is needed when using the board's native power path.

Can the SATEL-VL53L7CX be used without the X-NUCLEO-53L7A1?

Yes - the board supports standalone operation via flying wires connected to its edge pads (AVDD, IOVDD, SCL, SDA, INT, LPn, I²C_RST, GND). The snap-off perforations allow isolation of each mini-PCB, enabling direct integration into custom carrier boards or compact enclosures without relying on the Nucleo ecosystem.

How many independent zones does the VL53L7CX deliver on this board?

The VL53L7CX sensor on the SATEL-VL53L7CX supports configurable multizone ranging output: either 4×4 (16 zones) or 8×8 (64 zones), both with identical 90° diagonal field of view. Zone resolution and output format are controlled entirely by firmware configuration - no hardware modification is required.

Are solder bridges on the SATEL-VL53L7CX functional or for factory configuration only?

The eight solder bridges (SB1–SB8) are user-configurable jumpers that select between default and alternate signal routing paths - including EVK_PWR_EN, EVK_I2C_RST, and EVK_INT polarity inversion. They are intended for design validation and signal debugging, not factory-set-only; all bridges ship open and can be closed with standard soldering tools.