LIDAR-Lite v3 – Specs, Pinout and Sample Projects

LIDAR-Lite is one of best seller circuits by Garmin™. Lidar-Lite v3 is a laser-based optical distance measurement sensor widely used in drones, robots and unmanned aerial vehicles with its compact and lightweight design. It can scan the area of 40 meters. It draws less than 130 mA of current.

LIDAR-Lite v3 Trailer

LIDAR-Lite v3 Features

• Power: 4.75–5V DC; 6V Max
• Beam Divergence: 8m Radian
• Interface: I²C or PWM
• Optical Aperture: 12.5mm
• Accuracy: +/- 2.5cm at distances greater than 1m
• Current Consumption: 105mA idle; 130mA continuous
• Rep Rate: 1–500Hz
• Laser Wave Length/Peak Power: 905nm/1.3 watts
• Range: 0-40m Laser Emitter
• 20 x 48 x 40 mm (0.8 x 1.9 x 1.6 inches)

LIDAR-Lite v3 Pinout

LIDAR-Lite v3 I2C Wiring Diagram

LIDAR-Lite v3 Pwm Wiring Diagram

LIDAR-Lite v3 Arduino I2C Connection

LIDAR-Lite v3 Arduino PWM Connection

LIDAR-Lite v3 Sample Projects

1- Distance measurement and printing to LCD screen with Lidar-Lite V3

Sample Code:

//Interface LiDAR-Lite module and display distance on LCD
//Without receiver bias corrections

#include <LiquidCrystal.h>
#include <Wire.h>
#include <LIDARLite.h>

//variable declarations
int distancecm;
int distancein;
const int RS = 2, EN = 3, D4 = 4, D5 = 5, D6 = 6, D7 = 7;

LiquidCrystal lcd(RS,EN,D4,D5,D6,D7);   //set Uno pins that are connected to LCD, 4-bit mode
LIDARLite lidarLite;

void setup() {
  lcd.begin(16,2);            //set 16 columns and 2 rows of 16x2 LCD
  lidarLite.begin(0, true);   //set config to default and I2C to 400kHz, starts I2C
  lidarLite.configure(0);     //there are 6 different configs available, 0 is default
}

void loop() {
  distancecm = lidarLite.distance(false);    //without bias correction, faster distance measurements performed
  distancein = distancecm*0.3937;           //1cm = 0.3937in
  
  //display distance to LCD
  lcd.clear();
  lcd.print("Distance: ");
  lcd.print(distancecm);
  lcd.print("cm");
  lcd.setCursor(10,1);
  lcd.print(distancein);
  lcd.print("in");
  delay(1000);
}

Project Page

2- DIY 3D Laser Scanner Project using Arduino and LIDAR-Lite

One of the uses of Lidar-Lite is the 3D scanner. If you want to make a 3D scanner, you should seriously consider using Lidar-Lite V3.

3- Project Lighthouse – 360° Mini Arduino LiDAR

• Source-1
• Source-2

4-3D Printed LIDAR-Lite Scanner 

Thingverse page

Other Sources:

• LIDAR-Lite v3 Datasheet
• Lidar – Lite Arduino Library