VL53L4CX support?

[ScottMonaghan]

Hello,

Is there a near-term plan for official CircuitPython support for the VL53L4CX?
https://www.adafruit.com/product/5425

Thanks!

[OdorDecoder]

I have the same question as @ScottMonaghan , VL53L4CX library in circuitpython would be fun-ominal ! lol.

[ypodim]

+1 on circuitpython support. Is there a plan for it?
Alternatively, any pointers as to how to modify support for VL53L4CD to make it work for VL53L4CX as well?
https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_CircuitPython_VL53L4CD/blob/39fc7df54af911b7e4206a46c21bf4952e02f7f1/adafruit_vl53l4cd.py#L196

The CD library works on CX as well, but only for values up to about 160cm, so I'm assuming it's a simple change to include support for CX as well.

[veloyage]

+1 from me.
I already tried to modify the CD lib for CX, but ST not having a proper datasheet/manual and instead telling people to use their provided arduino library makes it quite tricky. Off course their code is like 20 files, many with thousands of lines, with abstraction over abstraction and really (intentionally?) difficult to parse.
I had to set I2C to 1 MHz to work initially, and then I got measurements up to 2.2 m or so. I then dug through the ST library to find the parameters they set for long range mode, and I set something like 12 registers accordingly, but I still could not get measurements above 3m. And the thing has > 1000 registers.
So, now I was wondering if we A) need to dig through that lib some more and try to understand all the modifications necessary to get 6 m ranging, B) can somehow compile that existing C/arduino library for circuitpython without having to fully understand it C) should simply not use that sensor because ST doesn't properly support it and I find that really strange behavior.

If there is interest I can make a repo with my few modifications so far.

[benfarahmand]

+1. I also would like to have support for this.

I have 3 VL53L4CX sensors and would like to connect it to my Pi...

[DKonneker]

I also am looking for support for the VL53L4CX sensor so I can use it with Circuit Python and Micropython.

[justmobilize]

@veloyage - would love to see what you've changed already. Even getting the 3m would be awesome. I am about to go down the road of seeing how things are different, but it's crazy how different the C library is for this one from all the others.

[MarkJB]

1+

[veloyage]

Sorry guys, I can't find the modified library any more :(
I experimented with the sensor for an afternoon, decided it was too much work and my student would just have to use an older ST sensor. The board with that code on it then probably went to another student when I ran short on QT Pys. That's one downside of having the source directly on the device I guess.

So, I am back to the L4CD lib and example, with the minor modifications of setting the I2C to 1 MHz. Works only up to 2.2 m. I may go back to the arduino code and try to find the long range mode registers if I find time.

[veloyage]

I had another look. Modifying the initialization parameters for the CX gave me about 270 cm maximum in the default mode. For long range, it seems the histogram mode is required, and this by necessity requires a bunch of code from the library. Working manually, I don't see a python rewrite happening. The code is way too long (even single files) for the AI code rewriting tools I could find. So, I am back to either compiling the C code and using that or just not using this soft-sensor (reminds me of soft-modems ).

[MarkJB]

I had another look. Modifying the initialization parameters for the CX gave me about 270 cm maximum in the default mode. For long range, it seems the histogram mode is required, and this by necessity requires a bunch of code from the library. Working manually, I don't see a python rewrite happening. The code is way too long (even single files) for the AI code rewriting tools I could find. So, I am back to either compiling the C code and using that or just not using this soft-sensor (reminds me of soft-modems ).

Interesting... Beyond changing the i2c speed, what other init params did you change? (2.7m might be enough for my use case)

[justmobilize]

When you say you don't see a python rewrite happening, is that by you, based on how much time you have or anybody? Or more specifically, if I were to dedicate time to it, how long do you think it would take? I frequently port things from c code.