VL53L1X (CJMCU-531) ToF Sensor ESP32/ESP8266 Demo using a VL53L1X library and Ajax to display on a self-hosted site.

Designed (initially) for the VL53L1X (4 meter) sensor: https://www.st.com/en/imaging-and-photonics-solutions/vl53l1x.html

Using this can be as easy as connecting to the 'VL53L1X-demo' wifi network (no password needed), and then browsing to '192.168.4.1' for the UI. - Currently not working consistently

Requirements:

• ESP8266 Compatible (tested on a D1 Mini - clone) MCU
• ESP32 DEV module connected to a suitable sensor; any ESP 32 module should be suitable, but you may need to adapt pinouts.
• ESP development libs installed in a viable development environment: see https://github.com/espressif/arduino-esp32 For the Arduino IDE the instructions are at https://github.com/espressif/arduino-esp32/blob/master/docs/arduino-ide/boards_manager.md

The following libraries are not installed as standard in the Arduino IDE but are searchable and installable from within the library manager.

• Sparkfun VL53L1X library: https://github.com/sparkfun/SparkFun_VL53L1X_Arduino_Library/

• ArduinoJson library (v1.6+): https://arduinojson.org/

• ESP8266WebServer for ESP8266 Based modules: https://github.com/esp8266/Arduino/tree/master/libraries/ESP8266WebServer

• ESP8266WiFi for ESP8266 based modules: https://github.com/esp8266/Arduino/tree/master/libraries/ESP8266WiFi

• If you get an 'error: WebServer.h: No such file or directory' when compiling; make sure you have set your board type to 'ESP32Dev module or ESP8266' ;-)

Sensor Libraries

Currently I use the Sparkfun library; but there is also one from Pololu:

https://github.com/pololu/vl53l1x-arduino :: https://www.pololu.com/product/3415/resources

Both of these are 'light' libs designed for ATMega arduinos (eg limited RAM, etc). The Official ST lib is larger, but more complete and (arguably) better supported. It is also somewhat crankily documented, and requires a sign-up at stmicro .com to access.

The ST lib itself is redistributable, although the detailed documentation is not.. I still plan to move to this; and will provide it with the codebase here. See: https://www.st.com/en/ecosystems/x-cube-53l1a1.html#overview

ESP8266 Pins:

1. 5v / 3v3 on D1 Mini (Clone or Wemos) to Vcc on CJMCU-531 (VL53L1X)
2. GND on D1 Mini goes to GND on CJMCU-531
3. D1 on D1 Mini goes to SCL on CJMCU-531
4. D2 on D1 Mini goes to SDA on CJMCU-531

Pins:

1. 3v3 on ESP32 goes to VCC on CJMCU-531
2. GND on ESP32 goes to GND on CJMCU-531
3. D21 (GPIO21, I2C SDA) on ESP32 goes to SDA on CJMCU-531
4. D22 (GPIO22, I2C SCL) on ESP32 goes to SCL on CJMCU-531

Not currently used:

5. D5 (GPIO5) on ESP32 goes to XSHUT on CJMCU-531 (shutdown control, not currently used)
6. D18 (GPIO18) on ESP32 goes to GPIO1 on CJMCU-531 (interrupt line, not currently used)

Demo setup

Plans

https://github.com/easytarget/esp32-cjmcu-531-demo/issues

• Add a servo (== lidar); add interrupt-driven motion control loop with homing, canned movements (and accelleration control?).
• SMP: handle sensor+servo on different core than the web server.
• stop using GET requests and move to a streaming protocol.

Issues

• I have noticed the CJMCU-531 I2C comms seem to lock up occasionally and needs a full power cycle to resume. This has only happened when I'm rebooting and developing on this; it seems stable when left in operation and not being 'messed' with.
• AP Mode doesn't seem to be working currently, causing endless reboots. (DHCP Server will not issue an IP address)

Logging

Booting Sketch...
Access Point started: VL53L0X-demo:
AP Address: 192.168.4.1
HTTP server started
Mode: Mid
Sent the main page
Sent the main page
Mode: Near
Turning On
Mode: Mid