STMicroelectronics X-NUCLEO-53L4A1-

Overview

X-NUCLEO-53L4A1 from STMicroelectronics is an STM32 Nucleo-compatible expansion board integrating the VL53L4CD Time-of-Flight proximity sensor for high-accuracy absolute distance measurement independent of target reflectance. It features Arduino UNO R3 connectors, 0.25/0.5/1 mm spacers for air-gap simulation, and dual cover glass options for dust protection. Designed for rapid evaluation and development of ToF-based sensing in wearable and AR/VR systems.

For engineers reviewing the X-NUCLEO-53L4A1 datasheet, X-NUCLEO-53L4A1 pinout, X-NUCLEO-53L4A1 application, or X-NUCLEO-53L4A1 equivalent, this board enables immediate integration with STM32 Nucleo-64 boards (e.g., NUCLEO-F401RE), supports I²C-based sensor control via SDA/SCL, provides XSHUT and GPIO1 for sensor reset and interrupt handling, and includes satellite breakout headers for remote sensor deployment.

Technical Context

The board implements a complete VL53L4CD interface subsystem, including level-shifted I²C signaling (3.3 V logic), configurable XSHUT for hardware reset, and GPIO1 for asynchronous ranging completion notification. Power is derived from the host Nucleo board's +3V3 rail, with local decoupling (4.7 µF + 100 nF) and current-measurement jumpers (J1/J2) for power profiling.

It supports stacking with other X-NUCLEO boards via Arduino R3 headers and provides dedicated satellite headers (J4_Left/J4_Right) for connecting SATEL-VL53L4CD breakout modules - enabling distributed ToF sensor placement while retaining synchronized I²C communication and shared power domains.

Key Specifications

Availability

X-NUCLEO-53L4A1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for wearable electronics, augmented/virtual reality systems, and drone proximity detection requiring stable component supply, rapid prototyping capability, and production-ready firmware integration.

Supply support for X-NUCLEO-53L4A1 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, Switzerland, designing and manufacturing microcontrollers, sensors, power management ICs, and analog/mixed-signal devices for industrial, automotive, and consumer applications.

This board belongs to the X-NUCLEO ecosystem - a family of STM32 Nucleo expansion boards engineered to accelerate proof-of-concept development and firmware validation for sensor fusion, connectivity, and human-machine interface applications.

FAQ

Does X-NUCLEO-53L4A1 require external power or firmware?

No. It draws regulated 3.3 V power directly from the host STM32 Nucleo board via Arduino R3 connectors. Full software support is provided through ST's X-CUBE-TOF1 middleware package, including HAL drivers, example projects for STM32CubeIDE, and a graphical user interface for real-time ranging visualization and configuration.

Can multiple X-NUCLEO-53L4A1 boards be stacked on one Nucleo board?

No - only one X-NUCLEO-53L4A1 should be used per host Nucleo board due to I²C address conflict risk and physical pin contention on shared SDA/SCL lines. However, multiple VL53L4CD sensors can be deployed remotely using the included SATEL-VL53L4CD breakout boards connected via J4_Left/J4_Right headers.

What laser safety compliance does this board meet?

The integrated VL53L4CD sensor complies with IEC 60825-1:2014 Class 1 laser safety requirements under all specified operating conditions. No additional safety measures are required during normal use, and the board carries the official Class 1 laser product label per regulatory documentation (DB4623 Rev 3, page 3).

Is the cover glass pre-installed or user-replaceable?

The board ships with a small oval cover glass and a holder that accepts three interchangeable spacers (0.25 mm, 0.5 mm, 1 mm). The cover glass is not pre-installed - users mount it manually into the holder with selected spacer to simulate specific air gaps between sensor and protective surface, enabling accurate calibration for final enclosure design.