SparkFun Qwiic Mini dToF Imager - TMF8821

Product Overview

The SparkFun Qwiic TMF8821 Mini dToF Imager offers highly detailed 3D distance tracking up to 5000mm (or 16.4ft.) and uses a configurable multizone direct time-of-flight sensor to map obstacles and detect presence, even in bright sunlight. Whether you're building collision-avoidance systems for robotics or presence-detection networks, this miniature 0.5-inch by 1-inch Qwiic-enabled breakout simplifies the math by processing histogram data on the chip and sending the results over I²C to your microcontroller.

Mini Selectable Multizone Detection

Standard optical distance sensors often fail when confronted with multiple objects or bright ambient light. The TMF8820 module on this board solves both problems by pairing an AMS Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) with an integrated sunlight rejection filter. The dToF device uses a Single Photon Avalanche Photodiode (SPAD), a time-to-digital converter (TDC), and histogram technology to achieve that 10mm to 5000mm detection range. While the TMF8820 limits you to a 3x3 zone, the upgraded TMF8821 supports dynamically adjustable 3x3, 4x4, and 3x6 multizone configurations! This wider field of view lets your system detect and track multiple objects simultaneously across a much larger area. The package also includes a multi-lens array (MLA) above the VCSEL that widens the FoI (field of illumination).

Size and weight are often the biggest constraint in custom electronics that require distance measurement, so we took the standard Qwiic TMF8821 imager's high-accuracy ToF measurements and engineered it into a much more compact board! Additionally, we moved the Qwiic connectors to the back of the board. These design changes favor mounting applications where the TMF8821 sensor faces outward from an enclosure or chassis, and keep your Qwiic cables cleanly tucked away. The SparkFun Mini dToF Imager delivers the exact same capabilities as its larger sibling, but it is purpose-built for tight enclosures and miniature hardware setups.

Solderless I²C Integration

To keep your prototyping process fast and efficient, all raw data processing happens directly on the sensor itself. The board outputs accurate distance information alongside confidence values over a standard I²C interface running at up to 30Hz:

• Qwiic Connectivity: Dual onboard Qwiic connectors let you daisy-chain the imager without soldering, and standard 0.1-inch spaced pins are broken out for traditional breadboard layouts.
• Hardware Control: Includes two configurable GPIO pins and one enable (EN) pin for direct hardware triggers.
• Customizable Layout: The power LED and I2C pull-up resistors can be easily configured or disabled via onboard solder jumpers.
• Low Power Draw: Consumes just 57mA while active and drops to an incredibly efficient 8µA in standby mode.

If you want to skip the programming entirely, this breakout is fully compatible with the DataLogger IoT system! When connected, the TMF8821 sensor is automatically detected, scanned, configured, and logged. This allows you to start gathering time-of-flight data immediately! No programming, soldering, or complex setup required.

One thing to keep in mind before picking up this dToF Imager: we recommend a microcontroller with sufficient flash to run your program. Sorry, Unos (or any development board using the ATmega328P) are out. We recommend choosing an Artemis Thing Plus, an ESP32 Thing Plus, or a comparable device as your development board.

If you're building highly responsive mobile laser autofocus, industrial light curtains, or drone navigation systems (especially this one, thanks to its smaller overall dimensions), this imager provides the multi-zone tracking you need!