Raspberry Pi and VCNL4010 proximity and ambient light sensor python example

In this article we look at another acceleration sensor – this time its the VCNL4010 and we will connect it to our Raspberry Pi and we will have a python example

First lets take a look at the sensor in question

The VCNL4010 is a fully integrated proximity and ambient light sensor. Fully integrated means that the infrared emitter is included in the package. It has 16 bit resolution. It includes a signal processing IC and features standard I2C communication interface. It features an interrupt function.

PROXIMITY FUNCTION
• Built-in infrared emitter and photo-pin-diode for proximity
function
• 16 bit effective resolution for proximity detection range
ensures excellent cross talk immunity
• Programmable LED drive current from 10 mA to 200 mA in
10 mA steps
• Excellent ambient light suppression by modulating the
infrared signal
• Proximity distance up to 200 mm

AMBIENT LIGHT FUNCTION
• Built-in ambient light photo-pin-diode with close-tohuman-eye sensitivity
• 16 bit dynamic range from 0.25 lx to 16 klx
• 100 Hz and 120 Hz flicker noise rejection

FEATURES

• Integrated modules: infrared emitter (IRED), ambient light sensor (ALS-PD), proximity sensor (PD), and signal conditioning IC
• Interrupt function
• Supply voltage range VDD: 2.5 V to 3.6 V
• Supply voltage range IR anode: 2.5 V to 5 V
• Communication via I2C interface
• I2C Bus H-level range: 1.7 V to 5 V
• Low stand by current consumption: 1.5 μA

Parts Required

Name	Link
Raspberry Pi	Raspberry Pi 4 Model B Development Board
VCNL4010	Multiple Function Sensor Development Tools Proximity/Light Sensor VCNL4000 (1 piece)
Connecting wire	Free shipping Dupont line 120pcs 20cm male to male + male to female and female to female jumper wire

Schematic/Connection

Code Example

This uses a library from Adafruit which you can install like this from the terminal

• sudo pip3 install adafruit-circuitpython-vcnl4010

I then opened the Mu editor and entered the following code example, which is the same as the default example

[codesyntax lang=”python”]

# Simple demo of the VCNL4010 proximity and light sensor.
# Will print the proximity and ambient light every second.
# Author: Tony DiCola
import time
 
import board
import busio
 
import adafruit_vcnl4010
 
 
# Initialize I2C bus and VCNL4010 module.
i2c = busio.I2C(board.SCL, board.SDA)
sensor = adafruit_vcnl4010.VCNL4010(i2c)
 
# You can optionally adjust the sensor LED current.  The default is 200mA
# which is the maximum value.  Note this is only set in 10mA increments.
# sensor.led_current_mA = 120  # Set 120 mA LED current
 
# You can also adjust the measurement frequency for the sensor.  The default
# is 390.625 khz, but these values are possible to set too:
# - FREQUENCY_3M125: 3.125 Mhz
# - FREQUENCY_1M5625: 1.5625 Mhz
# - FREQUENCY_781K25: 781.25 Khz
# - FREQUENCY_390K625: 390.625 Khz (default)
# sensor.frequency = adafruit_vcnl4010.FREQUENCY_3M125  # 3.125 Mhz
 
# Main loop runs forever printing the proximity and light level.
while True:
    proximity = sensor.proximity  # Proximity has no units and is a 16-bit
    # value.  The LOWER the value the further
    # an object from the sensor (up to ~200mm).
    print("Proximity: {0}".format(proximity))
    ambient_lux = sensor.ambient_lux
    print("Ambient light: {0} lux".format(ambient_lux))
    time.sleep(1.0)

[/codesyntax]

Output

Run this example and you should see the following , cover the sensor and alter the light on it

Proximity: 2354
Ambient light: 133.0 lux
Proximity: 2355
Ambient light: 134.75 lux
Proximity: 46459
Ambient light: 31.75 lux
Proximity: 65535
Ambient light: 113.0 lux
Proximity: 65535
Ambient light: 114.5 lux

Links

https://www.vishay.com/docs/83462/vcnl4010.pdf