STMicroelectronics X-NUCLEO-53L5A1

Overview

X-NUCLEO-53L5A1 from STMicroelectronics is an Arduino™ UNO R3–compatible expansion board for STM32 Nucleo development platforms, integrating the VL53L5CX 8×8 multizone time-of-flight ranging sensor with ±3° angular resolution, 4 m max range, and reflectance-independent distance measurement. It enables rapid prototyping of spatial awareness applications in robotics, gesture control, and occupancy sensing.

For engineers reviewing the X-NUCLEO-53L5A1 datasheet, X-NUCLEO-53L5A1 pinout, X-NUCLEO-53L5A1 application, or X-NUCLEO-53L5A1 equivalent, key selection factors include Arduino R3 mechanical compatibility, VL53L5CX firmware integration support, cover-glass spacer options (0.25/0.5/1 mm), laser Class 1 safety compliance, and multi-board stacking capability via standard headers.

Technical Context

The board implements a complete hardware interface between STM32 MCUs and the VL53L5CX sensor, using I²C for configuration and data transfer, with dedicated GPIOs for interrupt signaling and sensor reset. Power is supplied via the Nucleo board's 3.3 V rail, regulated locally to meet VL53L5CX's 2.6–3.6 V operating range.

It supports full multizone ranging (64 zones), real-time histogram processing, and embedded motion detection-functions exposed through ST's X-CUBE-TOF1 software package, including GUI-based calibration and visualization tools for zone-specific distance, confidence, and ambient light data.

Key Specifications

Availability

X-NUCLEO-53L5A1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for robotics navigation, smart home occupancy detection, industrial presence monitoring, and educational ToF sensor labs requiring stable component supply and rapid evaluation turnaround.

Supply support for X-NUCLEO-53L5A1 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 markets.

The X-NUCLEO series targets rapid prototyping of STM32-based systems, with each board delivering validated hardware-software co-design for specific sensor or connectivity functions-here, multizone time-of-flight ranging acceleration.

FAQ

Does X-NUCLEO-53L5A1 require external power or operate solely from the Nucleo board?

No external power is required. The board draws regulated 3.3 V directly from the STM32 Nucleo board's power rail via the Arduino connector. Onboard filtering and decoupling ensure stable VL53L5CX operation without additional regulators or supplies.

Can multiple X-NUCLEO-53L5A1 boards be stacked on one Nucleo board?

No-only one X-NUCLEO-53L5A1 can be used per Nucleo board due to I²C address conflict and physical header overlap. However, it can be stacked with other X-NUCLEO boards (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) that use different I²C addresses or communication interfaces.

What software tools are included for evaluating the VL53L5CX on this board?

ST provides X-CUBE-TOF1 middleware, including STM32CubeMX-compatible drivers, HAL-based examples, and the "STSW-IMG024" GUI application for real-time zone distance mapping, histogram analysis, and calibration-downloadable from st.com/vl53l5cx.

Is the cover glass holder pre-assembled, and are spacers included in the box?

Yes-the board ships with a removable cover glass holder and three precision-machined spacers (0.25 mm, 0.5 mm, and 1.0 mm thick) to simulate controlled air gaps between cover glass and sensor window, enabling accurate optical path validation during development.