ACS71240 Current Sensor Carrier pinout.

We have released a ton of new current sensors! These boards, based on Allegro current-sensing ICs, have analog outputs with voltage proportional to the AC or DC current passing through the sensor while offering full electrical isolation of the current path from the sensor’s electronics. This isolation allows them to be inserted anywhere in the current path, including on the high side, and because the current path resistance is on the order of 1 mΩ or less, there is minimal effect on the rest of the system.

As with all our other carrier boards, we designed these current sensors to be usable in real-world applications rather than just as evaluation boards. To that end, we have released compact carriers for use in space-constrained systems and larger modules with more connection options available for higher-current applications. The large carriers offer better thermal dissipation thanks to their 6-layer PCBs and increased surface area, and the holes and slots for the current path connection points accommodate thicker wires along with a variety of high-current connectors (e.g. lugs, solderless ring terminals, and 4-pin terminal blocks).

We also want these modules to be usable as evaluation boards, so we have standardized our compact and large form factors, making it easier to swap among different boards to compare different sensor ICs. Additionally, having different form factors available for the same sensor IC makes it possible to evaluate how things like PCB area and the number of copper layers affects the sensor’s thermal performance.

ACS37220 Current Sensor Compact Carrier (top) and Large Carrier (bottom) size comparison.

ACS72981 Current Sensor Compact Carrier (top) and Large Carrier (bottom) size comparison.

CT432/CT433 TMR Current Sensor Compact Carrier (top) and Large Carrier (bottom) size comparison.

Here is a quick summary of the four new sensor families:

• ACS71240: low-cost measurement of bidirectional currents ranging from 10 A to 50 A, with dedicated versions for 3.3 V and 5 V systems. A unidirectional 50 A, 5 V version is also available.
• ACS37220: low-cost measurement of bidirectional currents ranging from 100 A to 200 A, with dedicated versions for 3.3 V and 5 V systems. These have extra-low 0.1 mΩ current paths through the sensor IC and user-configurable overcurrent fault thresholds.
• ACS72981: high-bandwidth (250 kHz) measurement of unidirectional or bidirectional currents from 50 A to 200 A, with dedicated versions available for 3.3 V and 5 V systems.
• CT432/CT433: extra high-bandwidth (1 MHz), low response time (300 ns) measurement of unidirectional or bidirectional currents from 20 A to 70 A, with dedicated versions available for 3.3 V and 5 V systems. Unlike the other Allegro sensor families we carry, which use Hall effect sensing, the CT432/CT433 sensors use tunneling magnetoresistance (which Allegro calls XtremeSense™ TMR) and are optimized for high dV/dt applications.

Here’s our full list of active and preferred current sensors:

	ACS711 Current Sensor Carriers	ACS71240 Current Sensor Carriers	ACS724 Current Sensor Carriers	ACS37220 Current Sensor Compact Carriers	ACS37220 Current Sensor Large Carriers	ACS72981 Current Sensor Compact Carriers	ACS72981 Current Sensor Large Carriers	CT432/CT433 TMR Current Sensor Compact Carriers	CT432/CT433 TMR Current Sensor Large Carriers
Sensor IC	Allegro ACS711KEXT	Allegro ACS71240	Allegro ACS724LLCTR	Allegro ACS37220		Allegro ACS72981xLR		Allegro CT432/CT433
Sensing technology	Hall effect	Hall effect	Hall effect	Hall effect		Hall effect		XtremeSense™ TMR (tunneling magnetoresistance)
Logic voltage range (V)	3.0–5.5	3.3V versions: 3.0–3.6 5V versions: 4.5–5.5	4.5–5.5	3.3V versions: 3.15–3.45 5V versions: 4.5–5.5		3.3V versions: 3.0–3.6 5V versions: 4.5–5.5		3.3V versions: 3.0–3.6 5V versions: 4.75–5.5
Current range / sensitivity	Bidirectional:(1) ±15.5 A / 90 mV/A ±31 A / 45 mV/A	3.3V Bidirectional: ±10 A / 132 mV/A ±30 A / 44 mV/A ±50 A / 26.4 mV/A 5V Bidirectional: ±10 A / 200 mV/A ±30 A / 66 mV/A ±50 A / 40 mV/A 5V Unidirectional: 0–⁠50 A / 80 mv/A	5V Bidirectional:(2) ±2.5 A / 800 mV/A ±5 A / 400 mV/A ±10 A / 200 mV/A ±20 A / 100 mV/A ±30 A / 66 mV/A ±50 A / 40 mV/A 5V Unidirectional:(2) 0–⁠5 A / 800 mv/A 0–⁠10 A / 400 mv/A 0–⁠20 A / 200 mv/A 0–⁠30 A / 133 mV/A	3.3V Bidirectional: ±100 A / 13.2 mV/A ±150 A / 8.8 mV/A 5V Bidirectional: ±100 A / 20 mV/A ±150 A / 13.3 mV/A ±200 A / 10 mV/A	3.3V Bidirectional: ±100 A / 13.2 mV/A ±150 A / 8.8 mV/A 5V Bidirectional: ±100 A / 20 mV/A ±150 A / 13.3 mV/A ±200 A / 10 mV/A	3.3V Bidirectional:(1) ±50 A / 26.4 mV/A ±100 A / 13.2 mV/A ±150 A / 8.8 mV/A 3.3V Unidirectional:(1) 0–⁠50 A / 52.8 mv/A 0–⁠100 A / 26.4 mv/A 0–⁠150 A / 17.6 mv/A 0–⁠200 A / 13.2 mv/A 5V Bidirectional:(2) ±50 A / 40 mV/A ±100 A / 20 mV/A ±150 A / 13.3 mV/A ±200 A / 10 mV/A 5V Unidirectional:(2) 0–⁠100 A / 40 mv/A 0–⁠150 A / 26.7 mv/A	3.3V Bidirectional:(1) ±50 A / 26.4 mV/A ±100 A / 13.2 mV/A ±150 A / 8.8 mV/A 3.3V Unidirectional:(1) 0–⁠50 A / 52.8 mv/A 0–⁠100 A / 26.4 mv/A 0–⁠150 A / 17.6 mv/A 0–⁠200 A / 13.2 mv/A 5V Bidirectional:(2) ±50 A / 40 mV/A ±100 A / 20 mV/A ±150 A / 13.3 mV/A ±200 A / 10 mV/A 5V Unidirectional:(2) 0–⁠100 A / 40 mv/A 0–⁠150 A / 26.7 mv/A	3.3V Bidirectional: ±20 A / 50 mV/A ±30 A / 33.3 mV/A ±50 A / 20 mV/A 3.3V Unidirectional: 0–⁠50 A / 40 mv/A 0–⁠65 A / 30.8 mv/A 5V Bidirectional: ±20 A / 100 mV/A ±30 A / 66.7 mV/A ±50 A / 40 mV/A ±65 A / 30.8 mV/A 5V Unidirectional: 0–⁠50 A / 80 mv/A 0–⁠70 A / 57.1 mv/A	3.3V Bidirectional: ±50 A / 20 mV/A 3.3V Unidirectional: 0–⁠50 A / 40 mv/A 0–⁠65 A / 30.8 mv/A 5V Bidirectional: ±50 A / 40 mV/A ±65 A / 30.8 mV/A 5V Unidirectional: 0–⁠50 A / 80 mv/A 0–⁠70 A / 57.1 mv/A
IC path resistance	0.6 mΩ	0.6 mΩ	0.6 mΩ	0.1 mΩ		0.2 mΩ		1 mΩ
PCB	2 layers, 2-oz copper	2 layers, 2-oz copper	2 layers, 2- or 4-oz copper(4)	2 layers, 2-oz copper	6 layers, 2-oz copper	6 layers, 2-oz copper	6 layers, 2-oz copper	2 or 4 layers(5), 2-oz copper	6 layers, 2-oz copper
Max bandwidth	100 kHz	120 kHz	120 kHz(3)	150 kHz		250 kHz		1 MHz
Size	0.7″ × 0.8″	0.7″ × 0.8″	0.7″ × 0.8″	0.7″ × 0.8″	1.4″ × 1.2″	0.7″ × 0.8″	1.4″ × 1.2″	0.8″ × 1.1″	1.4″ × 1.2″
Overcurrent fault output				User-configurable threshold
Common-mode field rejection
Non-ratiometric output
1-piece price	$3.49	$3.95	$6.95 – $7.49	$4.95	$7.95	$9.95	$12.95	$8.95	$12.95

⁽¹⁾ Sensitivity when Vcc = 3.3 V; sensitivity is ratiometric.
⁽²⁾ Sensitivity when Vcc = 5 V; sensitivity is ratiometric.
⁽³⁾ Bandwidth can be reduced by adding a filter capacitor.
⁽⁴⁾ ±50A version uses 4-oz copper PCB; all other versions use 2-oz copper.
⁽⁵⁾ 50A and higher versions use 4-layer PCB; all other versions use 2-layer PCB.

More sensors are coming, and we will be releasing them as they become available. Do you have a favorite current sensor? Let us know in the comments!

We’re excited to introduce our new 60V-max H2 High-Power Motor Driver 36v11 CS, which joins our lineup of high-power motor drivers as the new highest-voltage option. Like our other high-power motor drivers, this board is a discrete MOSFET H-bridge that is designed to drive large brushed DC motors. The H2 36v11 can supply a motor with continuous currents up to 11 A over a wide 5 V to 60 V (absolute maximum) operating range. The board also features reverse-voltage protection and an on-board bidirectional current sensor that provides a direct measurement of the motor current.

The H2 driver is designed to be a near drop-in replacement for its predecessor and for our lower-voltage G2 drivers, with an identical form factor and a similar pinout. Compared to its predecessor, the H2 version adds improvements such as reverse-voltage protection, current sensing, and compatibility with 3.3V systems (as well as 5V). Compared to the newer G2 drivers, the main differentiator is the wider operating voltage range, but the H2 36v11 CS also adds an on-board bidrectional current sensor that provides a direct measurement of the motor current, even when the driver isn’t actively driving. There are also differences in the pinout, control interface, and some aspects of the operation, so please see the H2 product page for more information on compatibility between it, its prececessor, and the G2 versions.

Introductory special discount! To celebrate the release of the H2 36v11 CS, the first hundred customers to use coupon code H236V11CSINTRO can get up to three units for just $34.95 each!

We are pleased to announce the release of our new low-cost time-of-flight distance sensor featuring ST’s VL53L4CD. The VL53L4CD has a detection range of 1 mm to 120 cm (4 ft) with a resolution of 1 mm and an update rate of up to 100 Hz. This distance sensor is notable for being able to accurately measure the distances to objects even as they are almost touching the sensor face.

One interesting feature of the VL53L4CD is its Ultra-Low Power mode, which allows it to act as a basic proximity detector with greatly reduced average current consumption (less than 100 μA in some cases). In this mode, the sensor does not output distance and other data as usual; it simply raises an interrupt when a target is detected. This functionality is enabled with ST’s VL53L4CD ULP API (application programming interface), and the ULP and standard drivers can be used together to let the VL53L4CD switch from low-power proximity detection to accurate ranging once it sees a target. (ULP drivers are now available from ST for the VL53L1X and VL53L3CX as well.)

Introductory special discount! With the release of the VL53L4CD carrier, we are also bringing back introductory special discounts, which was how we celebrated the release of new products prior to the pandemic and ensuing parts shortages. The first hundred customers to use coupon code VL53L4CDINTRO can get up to five units for just $8.88 each!

The VL53L4CD is the new lowest-cost member of the ST FlightSense ToF sensor family, which includes higher-performance alternatives with longer ranges and capable of multi-target detection:

	VL6180X carrier	VL53L4CD carrier	VL53L0X carrier	VL53L1X carrier	VL53L3CX carrier	VL53L5CX carrier	VL53L7CX carrier	VL53L8CX carrier
Maximum range:(1)	60 cm	120 cm	200 cm	400 cm	500 cm	400 cm	350 cm	400 cm
Minimum range:	~10 mm	1 mm	~30 mm	40 mm	10 mm	20 mm
Field of view:	25°	18°	25°	15° to 27° diagonal, program­mable	25°	65° diagonal, up to 8×8 zones	90° diagonal, up to 8×8 zones	65° diagonal, up to 8×8 zones
Other features:	ambient light sensing, low memory footprint(2)	low memory footprint(2), ultra-low power mode	low memory footprint(2)	low memory footprint(2), ultra-low power mode	multi-target detection, ultra-low power mode	multi-target detection	multi-target detection	multi-target detection, improved performance in ambient light
Maximum update rate:(1)	~150 Hz	100 Hz	50 Hz	100 Hz	125 Hz	60 Hz
Operating voltage range:	2.6 V to 5.5 V					2.5 V to 5.5 V		3.2 V to 5.5 V
Regulator voltage:	2.8 V					3.3 V		1.8 V and 3.3 V
Typical active-ranging supply current:	25 mA	25 mA	20 mA	20 mA	20 mA	100 mA
Peak supply current:	40 mA					150 mA
Interface:	I²C							I²C, SPI
Dimensions:	0.5″ × 0.7″							0.5″ × 0.9″
1-piece price:	$13.49	$12.95	$14.95	$18.95	$16.95	$19.95	$19.95	$24.95
1 Effective range and update rate depend on configuration, target, and environment. 2 Suitable for use with typical 8-bit MCUs.

Related products

VL53L4CD Time-of-Flight Distance Sensor Carrier with Voltage Regulator, 120cm Max

Electrical engineer and content creator Dave Crabbe recently released a video demonstrating his use of our pushbutton power switch to control power to his ESP32 remote-controlled toy dump truck. He has an open-source, custom-designed PCB for the electronics, and the Gerber files and schematic are linked from the video description.

If you like Dave’s content, be sure to subscribe to his YouTube channel so you don’t miss his latest videos.

Related products

	Mini Pushbutton Power Switch with Reverse Voltage Protection, LV
	Mini Pushbutton Power Switch with Reverse Voltage Protection, SV
	Big Pushbutton Power Switch with Reverse Voltage Protection, MP
	Big Pushbutton Power Switch with Reverse Voltage Protection, HP

We are having an Independence Day sale starting now through Monday, July 8! Check out the sale page for more information. Please note that we will be closed Thursday, July 4 in observance Independence Day, so orders placed after 2 PM Pacific Time Wednesday, July 3 will be shipped on Friday, July 5.

1.4-7V, 3.4A Fine-Adjust Step-Down Voltage Regulator w/ Adjustable Low-Voltage Cutoff D30V30MALCMA.

1.4-7V, 3.8A Fine-Adjust Step-Down Voltage Regulator w/ Adjustable Low-Voltage Cutoff D30V33MALCMA.

We are now offering lower-voltage versions of our D30V3x step-down voltage regulators with a precision-adjustable 1.4 V to 7 V output. As with the rest of the D30V3x line, these new regulators work with input voltages between 3.3 V and 45 V and can deliver between 1 A and 4.5 A of output current, depending on the input and output voltages. They have very low dropout voltages and feature a power-good output for identifying when the output voltage is not being maintained. They also feature an enable pin with a precise threshold for turning off the regulator, and some of the versions have additional circuitry to offer a precision-adjustable low-voltage cutoff.

Four versions are available with this new 1.4 V to 7 V output range:

• D30V30MAL – compact (0.6″ × 1.0″), double-sided assembly with precision-adjustable output and no low-voltage cutoff.
• D30V30MALCMA – compact (0.6″ × 1.0″), double-sided assembly precision-adjustable output and precision-adjustable low-voltage cutoff.
• D30V33MAL – larger (0.9″ × 1.2″), single-sided assembly with precision-adjustable output and no low-voltage cutoff. The increased heat dissipation from the larger boards let this version deliver slightly more current than the D30V30MAL.
• D30V33MALCMA – larger (0.9″ × 1.2″), single-sided assembly with precision-adjustable output and precision-adjustable low-voltage cutoff. The increased heat dissipation from the larger boards let this version deliver slightly more current than the D30V30MALCMA.

The following table shows all of the members of the D30V3x family:

We’re having a big Memorial Day Sale that includes over 1000 products from robots to regulators to sensors to motors, and more! Check out the sale page for more information. Please note that we will be closed Monday, so orders placed after 2 PM Pacific Time Friday, May 24 will be shipped on Tuesday, May 28. Continued…

Micro Metal Gearmotor with 12 CPR encoder, back connector.

Micro Metal Gearmotor with 12 CPR encoder, side connector.

Our Micro Metal Gearmotors are now available with integrated quadrature encoders! These are the same top-entry and side-entry encoders that were previously only available separately, and now you can get them preassembled on the gearmotors and covered by a snap-on plastic cap. On the assembled units, the two available styles are denoted as “Back Connector”, which has the connector oriented parallel to the motor, and “Side Connector”, which is perpendicular to the motor. These connectors work with our assortment of female 6-pin JST SH-style cables and 6-pin JST SH-style connector boards.

For detailed dimensions, specifications, and usage information, see the Micro Metal Gearmotor datasheet (5MB pdf).

With 65 different combinations of gearboxes and motors each now available with two encoder styles, that makes 130 new products in all, and it increases our total Micro Metal Gearmotor selection to 260 versions. We are still working on getting everything stocked up, but we manufacture these in house, so we can make some of any particular version quickly. If there is a version you want that is currently out of stock, you can backorder it and we should be able to make and ship it in a few days. (Please note that we are currently not stocking the 5:1 versions with encoders but we are able to make them by special request; please contact us if you are interested in placing a special order for those.) Here is a full list of all the available options now:

Rated Voltage	Stall Current	No-Load Current	No-Load Speed (RPM)	Extrapolated Stall Torque		Max Power (W)	Approx Gear Ratio	No Encoder	w/ Extended Motor Shaft	w/ Encoder, Back Conn.	w/ Encoder, Side Conn.
				(kg⋅cm)	(oz⋅in)
HPCB 12V (high-power, carbon brushes)
12 V	0.75 A	100 mA	6800	0.09	1.3	–	5:1	#3036	#3047	#5204	#5205
		80 mA	3400	0.17	2.4	1.5	10:1	#3037	#3048	#5206	#5207
			2200	0.25	3.5	1.4	15:1	#4788	#4789	#5208	#5209
			1100	0.39	5.4	1.1	30:1	#3038	#3049	#5210	#5211
			650	0.67	9.3	1.1	50:1	#3039	#3050	#5212	#5213
			450	1.0	14	1.1	75:1	#3040	#3051	#5214	#5215
			330	1.3	18	1.1	100:1	#3041	#3052	#5216	#5217
			220	1.8	25	1.0	150:1	#3042	#3053	#5218	#5219
			160	2.5	35	1.0	210:1	#3043	#3054	#5220	#5221
			130	3.0	42	1.1	250:1	#3044	#3055	#5222	#5223
			110	3.3	46	1.0	298:1	#3045	#3056	#5224	#5225
			85	5.0	69	1.1	380:1	#4798	#4799	#5226	#5227
			35	10	140	–	1000:1	#3046	#3057	#5228	#5229
Rated Voltage	Stall Current	No-Load Current	No-Load Speed (RPM)	Extrapolated Stall Torque		Max Power (W)	Approx Gear Ratio	No Encoder	w/ Extended Motor Shaft	w/ Encoder, Back Conn.	w/ Encoder, Side Conn.
				(kg⋅cm)	(oz⋅in)
HPCB 6V (high-power, carbon brushes)
6 V	1.5 A	170 mA	6500	0.09	1.3	–	5:1	#3060	#3082	#5178	#5179
		150 mA	3300	0.17	2.4	1.3	10:1	#3061	#3071	#5180	#5181
			2100	0.25	3.5	1.3	15:1	#4786	#4787	#5182	#5183
			1100	0.45	6.2	1.2	30:1	#3062	#3072	#5184	#5185
			650	0.74	10	1.2	50:1	#3063	#3073	#5186	#5187
			430	1.1	15	1.3	75:1	#3064	#3074	#5188	#5189
			330	1.6	22	1.3	100:1	#3065	#3075	#5190	#5191
			220	2.0	28	1.1	150:1	#3066	#3076	#5192	#5193
			160	2.8	39	1.1	210:1	#3067	#3077	#5194	#5195
			130	3.2	44	1.1	250:1	#3068	#3078	#5196	#5197
			110	3.4	47	1.0	298:1	#3069	#3079	#5198	#5199
			85	5.0	69	1.1	380:1	#4796	#4797	#5200	#5201
			33	11	150	–	1000:1	#3070	#3080	#5202	#5203
Rated Voltage	Stall Current	No-Load Current	No-Load Speed (RPM)	Extrapolated Stall Torque		Max Power (W)	Approx Gear Ratio	No Encoder	w/ Extended Motor Shaft	w/ Encoder, Back Conn.	w/ Encoder, Side Conn.
				(kg⋅cm)	(oz⋅in)
HP 6V (high-power)
6 V	1.6 A	120 mA	6100	0.11	1.5	–	5:1	#1000	#2210	#5152	#5153
		100 mA	3100	0.22	3.0	1.6	10:1	#999	#2211	#5154	#5155
			2000	0.30	4.2	1.5	15:1	#4784	#4785	#5156	#5157
			1000	0.57	7.9	1.5	30:1	#1093	#2212	#5158	#5159
			590	0.86	12	1.3	50:1	#998	#2213	#5160	#5161
			410	1.3	18	1.4	75:1	#2361	#2215	#5162	#5163
			310	1.7	24	1.3	100:1	#1101	#2214	#5164	#5165
			210	2.4	33	1.2	150:1	#997	#2386	#5166	#5167
			150	3.0	42	1.1	210:1	#996	#2216	#5168	#5169
			120	3.4	47	1.1	250:1	#995	#2217	#5170	#5171
			100	4.0	56	1.1	298:1	#994	#2218	#5172	#5173
			84	5.5	76	1.1	380:1	#4794	#4795	#5174	#5175
			31	12	170	–	1000:1	#1595	#2373	#5176	#5177
Rated Voltage	Stall Current	No-Load Current	No-Load Speed (RPM)	Extrapolated Stall Torque		Max Power (W)	Approx Gear Ratio	No Encoder	w/ Extended Motor Shaft	w/ Encoder, Back Conn.	w/ Encoder, Side Conn.
				(kg⋅cm)	(oz⋅in)
MP 6V (medium-power)
6 V	0.67 A	80 mA	4400	0.06	0.8	–	5:1	#2362	#2376	#5126	#5127
		70 mA	2200	0.11	1.5	–	10:1	#2363	#2377	#5128	#5129
			1400	0.20	2.8	0.70	15:1	#4782	#4783	#5130	#5131
			720	0.33	4.6	0.57	30:1	#2364	#2378	#5132	#5133
			420	0.54	7.5	0.55	50:1	#2365	#2379	#5134	#5135
			290	0.78	11	0.54	75:1	#2366	#2380	#5136	#5137
			220	0.94	13	0.50	100:1	#2367	#2381	#5138	#5139
			150	1.3	18	0.48	150:1	#2368	#2382	#5140	#5141
			100	1.7	24	0.46	210:1	#2369	#2383	#5142	#5143
			88	2.2	31	0.48	250:1	#2370	#2384	#5144	#5145
			73	2.4	33	0.44	298:1	#2371	#2385	#5146	#5147
			57	3.6	50	0.53	380:1	#4792	#4793	#5148	#5149
			22	6.7	93	–	1000:1	#2372	#3059	#5150	#5151
Rated Voltage	Stall Current	No-Load Current	No-Load Speed (RPM)	Extrapolated Stall Torque		Max Power (W)	Approx Gear Ratio	No Encoder	w/ Extended Motor Shaft	w/ Encoder, Back Conn.	w/ Encoder, Side Conn.
				(kg⋅cm)	(oz⋅in)
LP 6V (low-power)
6 V	0.36 A	50 mA	2500	0.05	0.7	–	5:1	#1100	#2200	#5100	#5101
		40 mA	1300	0.10	1.4	–	10:1	#1099	#2201	#5102	#5103
			860	0.17	2.4	0.37	15:1	#4780	#4781	#5104	#5105
			450	0.29	4.0	0.31	30:1	#993	#2202	#5106	#5107
			270	0.44	6.1	0.29	50:1	#1098	#2203	#5108	#5109
			180	0.64	8.9	0.29	75:1	#2360	#2209	#5110	#5111
			130	0.74	10	0.25	100:1	#992	#2204	#5112	#5113
			90	1.1	15	0.25	150:1	#1097	#2205	#5114	#5115
			65	1.6	22	0.25	210:1	#1096	#2206	#5116	#5117
			54	1.7	24	0.23	250:1	#1095	#2207	#5118	#5119
			45	2.0	28	0.22	298:1	#1094	#2208	#5120	#5121
			36	2.9	40	0.27	380:1	#4790	#4791	#5122	#5123
			13	5.5	76	–	1000:1	#1596	#3058	#5124	#5125

Note: Stalling or overloading gearmotors can greatly decrease their lifetimes and even result in immediate damage. The recommended upper limit for instantaneous torque is 2.5 kg⋅cm (35 oz⋅in) for the 380:1 and 1000:1 gearboxes, and 2 kg⋅cm (25 oz⋅in) for all the other gear ratios; we strongly advise keeping applied loads well under this limit. Stalls can also result in rapid (potentially on the order of seconds) thermal damage to the motor windings and brushes, especially for the versions that use high-power (HP and HPCB) motors; a general recommendation for brushed DC motor operation is 25% or less of the stall current.

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We’re pleased to introduce the D30V3x line of step-down voltage regulators, our favorite new buck regulators for applications that need up to a few amps from input voltages up to 45 V. They can deliver between 1 A and 4 A of output current, depending on the input and output voltages, with very low dropout voltages. They also feature a power-good output for identifying when the output voltage is not being maintained, an enable pin with a precise threshold for turning off the regulator, and a soft-start feature that limits in-rush current and gradually ramps the output voltage on startup. The regulators include protections against reverse voltage (up to 40 V), input under-voltage, over-temperature, over-current, and short circuits.

The D30V3x line consists of the following three families:

• The D30V30Fx regulators are compact, fixed-output versions available with output voltages from 3.3 V to 15 V.
• The D30V30MAx regulators are compact, double-sided adjustable versions, with a precision-adjustable output voltage from 4.2 V to 15 V and an optional adjustable low-voltage cutoff.
• The D30V33MAx regulators are larger adjustable versions with holes for terminal blocks and slightly higher maximum output current. These also have a precision-adjustable 4.2 V to 15 V output and an optional adjustable low-voltage cutoff.

Output voltage settings for the 4.2-15V Fine-Adjust Step-Down Voltage Regulator D30V3xMASx.

We’ve actually had the fixed-voltage versions available for a few months already, but we’ve just expanded the range with the release of the adjustable versions, which have multi-turn potentiometers for precisely setting the output voltage and/or low voltage cutoff. The following table shows all of the members of the D30V3x family:

I’m excited to announce the release of our new VL53L8CX Time-of-Flight 8×8-Zone Distance Sensor Carrier, a multi-zone rangefinder based on ST’s latest VL53L8CX FightSense distance sensor. It uses time-of-flight (TOF) readings of infrared laser light to precisely measure distances of multiple targets across a grid of multiple zones, allowing you to generate a depth map with up to 8×8 resolution and 4 m range. Relative to older similar sensors, such as the VL53L5CX, the VL53L8CX also offers improved performance in ambient light and adds an SPI interface that can significantly speed up initialization and data acquisition. Since it has the same FOV and multi-zone capability, you can think of the VL53L8CX as basically an upgraded version of the VL53L5CX.

Visualization of VL53L8CX and VL53L5CX sensing a person standing against a wall about 2.7 m away. The VL53L8CX gives more accurate measurements with higher confidence (indicated with green).

Compared to sensors that only give a 1D measurement, the VL53L8CX does demand more from a microcontroller to support its operation as a 3D lidar. Initializing the sensor through I²C or SPI and processing its data requires a lot of RAM and program memory, so it is not practical to use the VL53L8CX with most 8-bit MCUs like the Arduino Uno. We found that the Raspberry Pi Pico’s RP2040 microcontroller worked well for interfacing with the VL53L8CX, and other similarly powerful 32-bit controllers like an ESP32 should also work.

With the release of this module, we now have seven pin-compatible carriers for ST’s various FlightSense time-of-flight sensors:

	VL6180X carrier	VL53L0X carrier	VL53L1X carrier	VL53L3CX carrier	VL53L5CX carrier	VL53L7CX carrier	VL53L8CX carrier
Maximum range:(1)	60 cm	200 cm	400 cm	500 cm	400 cm	350 cm	400 cm
Minimum range:	~1 cm	~3 cm	4 cm	1 cm	2 cm	2 cm	2 cm
Field of view:	25°	25°	15° to 27° diagonal, program­mable	25°	65° diagonal, up to 8×8 zones	90° diagonal, up to 8×8 zones	65° diagonal, up to 8×8 zones
Other features:	ambient light sensing, low memory footprint(2)	low memory footprint(2)	low memory footprint(2)	multi-target detection	multi-target detection	multi-target detection	multi-target detection, improved performance in ambient light
Maximum update rate:(1)	~150 Hz	50 Hz	100 Hz	125 Hz	60 Hz	60 Hz	60 Hz
Operating voltage range:	2.6 V to 5.5 V				2.5 V to 5.5 V		3.2 V to 5.5 V
Regulator voltage:	2.8 V				3.3 V		1.8 V and 3.3 V
Typical active-ranging supply current:	25 mA	20 mA	20 mA	20 mA	100 mA	100 mA	100 mA
Peak supply current:	40 mA	40 mA	40 mA	40 mA	150 mA	150 mA	150 mA
Interface:	I²C						I²C, SPI
Dimensions:	0.5″ × 0.7″						0.5″ × 0.9″
1-piece price:	$13.49	$14.95	$18.95	$16.95	$19.95	$19.95	$24.95
1 Effective range and update rate depend on configuration, target, and environment. 2 Suitable for use with typical 8-bit MCUs.

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VL53L8CX Time-of-Flight 8×8-Zone Distance Sensor Carrier with Voltage Regulators, 400cm Max