{"id":4273,"date":"2020-01-22T20:00:15","date_gmt":"2020-01-22T19:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/msalamon.pl\/?p=4273"},"modified":"2025-12-27T17:37:41","modified_gmt":"2025-12-27T16:37:41","slug":"interrupt-driven-handling-of-the-vl53l0x-laser-sensor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/msalamon.pl\/en\/interrupt-driven-handling-of-the-vl53l0x-laser-sensor\/","title":{"rendered":"Interrupt-driven handling of the VL53L0X laser sensor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the last article I described the adventures related to the original API provided for the laser distance sensor VL53L0X<\/a>. I got to the point where I managed to run a single measurement. However, I\u2019d like to relieve the microcontroller a bit so it doesn\u2019t have to wait so long for the measurement to finish. The sensor has an interrupt output pin, so why not use it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

You can find the first part with a description of how the sensor works and simple blocking handling here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

VL53L0X Operating Modes<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Our hero can operate in two modes: single measurement (Single measurement) and continuous measurement (Continuous measurement).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the first one, we as programmers must make sure to start the measurement, wait for it to finish, and read the result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In continuous mode, measurements are performed all the time, and our task is only to read the measured values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naturally, the idea of using an interrupt comes to mind. We get an interrupt every time the sensor finishes a measurement and has the data ready for us. Interestingly, such an interrupt is generated both in single-measurement mode and in continuous mode. The API probably enables the interrupt in the sensor by default in both cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why an interrupt in single mode? First, so we don\u2019t have to wait for the measurement to finish. Second, using single mode will let us measure distance less often. In continuous mode, the sensor goes as fast as the factory allows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Test platform<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For testing continuous operation I used the same configuration as in the previous post. If you haven\u2019t seen it yet, I encourage you to read it -> Cheap laser distance measurement with the VL53L0X ToF sensor<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a nutshell, I\u2019m using:<\/p>\n\n\n\n