STMicroelectronics X-NUCLEO-53L7A1

Overview

X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 from STMicroelectronics is an Arduino® UNO R3–compatible expansion board for STM32 Nucleo development platforms, integrating the VL53L7CX 8×8 multizone Time-of-Flight sensor with 90° field of view, 350 cm max ranging distance, histogram-based multiobject detection, and Class 1 laser safety compliance.

For engineers reviewing the X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 datasheet, X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 pinout, X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 application, or X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 equivalent, this board enables rapid prototyping of proximity, gesture, and spatial awareness systems using I²C interface, configurable spacers (0.25/0.5/1 mm), cover glass protection, and STM32Cube-compatible software stack.

Technical Context

The board interfaces the VL53L7CX sensor via dedicated I²C lines (SCL/SDA), interrupt (INT), low-power mode control (LPn), and I²C reset (I2C_RST), all routed through Arduino R3 headers and dual six-pin satellite connectors for optional breakout boards like SATEL-VL53L7CX. Power is supplied from the host Nucleo board's 3.3 V or 5 V rails, regulated to 1.7 V for the sensor's AVDD/IOVDD rails with up to 150 mA total current draw.

It supports stacking with other X-NUCLEO boards (e.g., Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi) and includes jumpers (LK1/LK2) for current measurement, thermal pad grounding, and configurable power enable (PWR_EN). The VL53L7CH variant is also supported per revision history.

Key Specifications

Availability

X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial robotics, consumer AR/VR headsets, drone obstacle avoidance, and wearable gesture-control systems requiring stable component supply and rapid evaluation capability.

Supply support for X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 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.

This board belongs to the X-NUCLEO ecosystem - a family of Arduino-compatible expansion boards engineered to accelerate STM32-based prototyping with validated hardware-software integration and out-of-the-box firmware support.

FAQ

Does X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 require external power beyond the STM32 Nucleo board?

No. It draws power exclusively from the host Nucleo board via Arduino R3 connectors - either 3.3 V (3V3_NUCLEO) or 5 V (5V_NUCLEO) rails. Onboard regulation provides 1.7 V to the VL53L7CX sensor. No external power supply or battery is needed for basic operation or evaluation.

Can the X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 be used with non-STMCU development platforms?

Yes, but with hardware and software adaptation. While designed for STM32 Nucleo boards, its Arduino R3 footprint and standard I²C interface allow connection to other MCUs (e.g., ESP32, Raspberry Pi Pico) using level-shifted I²C lines and custom driver implementation - though STM32Cube middleware and GUI are not directly portable.

What is the purpose of the three spacers included with the board?

The 0.25 mm, 0.5 mm, and 1 mm spacers fit beneath the cover glass holder to simulate different air gaps between the glass and VL53L7CX sensor window. This allows engineers to evaluate how mechanical mounting tolerances affect optical performance, calibration stability, and ranging accuracy in real-world enclosures.

Is the VL53L7CH sensor pin-compatible and software-compatible with VL53L7CX on this board?

Yes - the X-NUCLEO-53L7A1 hardware supports both VL53L7CX and VL53L7CH per DB4808 Rev 2. They share identical pinout, power requirements, and I²C register map. Firmware compatibility is maintained through ST's unified TOF driver in X-CUBE-TOF1, enabling seamless substitution without hardware modification.