FAST-RATE LASER: The LightWare SF20 B/50m and SF20 C/100m are fast-rate laser rangefinders designed to help drones record fast and accurate distance measurements.
It's a small-form-factor, 50-meter or 100-meter range laser sensor that is small and accurate.
The SF20 is tolerant to changes in background lighting conditions, wind, and noise.
Overview
Unparalleded Accuracy
The SF20 LIDAR sensor is a premier optoelectronic laser OEM sensor specifically designed for distance and height measurement. The device is extremely compact and lightweight, measuring 30 mm x 20 mm x 32 mm and weighing only 10g. This sensor achieves unparalleled precision with measurement capabilities with 388 readings per second up to 100 meters. It’s compatible with Serial or I2C and servo driver interfaces and features eye-safe laser emission Class 1M. Purchase your SF20 LIDAR sensor today.
The LightWare SF20 LIDAR sensor is a long-range optoelectronic device capable of detecting obstacles up to 100 meters away with unparalleled accuracy. This model is most commonly used in sense-and-avoid applications, and it’s particularly suited for airborne vehicles such as drones due to its lightweight design. The servo-driven LIDAR sensor is well known for its fast and accurate distance measurement capabilities. Driver hardware and software are included with the device. Purchase the LightWare SF20 Laser Rangefinder today.
By adding a small digital servo such as the Corona DS-919MG, the SF20 can be turned into a tiny scanning LiDAR capable of capturing 360 points per second while scanning the area ahead of an autonomous vehicle. Ideal for sense-and-avoid and navigation, the SF20 can either stream the measured data or make decisions based on preset alarms.
Uses
- Measurement to the nearest detected surface (first return).
- Measurement to the farthest detected surface (last return).
- Selectable filters to adjust the dynamic response to moving targets.
- Adjustable measuring update rate.
- Internal status monitoring.
- Servo driver for scanning applications.
There are two communication interfaces available using a common set of wires:
- A serial port (3.3V logic level) with a configurable baud rate to connect to a host controller.
- An I2C serial bus (3.3V logic level and 3.3k pull-up resistors) with a configurable address as an alternative to the serial port when multiple devices are connected on a common bus. Application software support is available from the LightWare API repository
Dimensions
Installation
SF20 Rangefinders require a clear line-of-sight to measure distance to a target surface. They can be mounted with a vertical or horizontal lens orientation.
Laser safety is an important issue for all users of laser rangefinders. Please take note of the warning information shown in the manuals and on the stickers that go with every LRF. All LightWare rangefinder products are Class 1M or Class 1, eye-safe.
The Acroname Support Engineering Team can help you decide if the LightWare SF20 is right for your needs and systems. Support is also available for setup and troubleshooting. Call or email our US-based support team.
- An OEM sensor for distance or height measurement
- Small size, very low weight
- Measuring range: 0.2 … 100 m (SF20/C) or 0.2 … 50 m (SF20/B)
- Measuring speed: 48 … 388 readings per second (configurable)
- 30 mm x 20 mm x 32 mm
- Only 10 grams
- Serial or I2C and servo driver
- Ardupilot compatible and LightWare Terminal
- Eye safe laser emission Class 1M
- Open frame, no IP rating
- Water and weather proof
They can be mounted in a downward facing orientation for altimetery, terrain following or precision landing applications. For terrain following, install the rangefinder at an angle to reduce lag time in reaction. The angle depends on the speed traveled, and the overall system lag, but should be between 20 and 45 degrees. They can be mounted forward facing orientation for sense-and-avoid or position-hold applications.
Laser Precise Measurements
Sensors have a resolution of 1 centimeter and the accuracy of each measurement is ±10 centimeter. Laser precise distance measurements provide the exact height above ground level for multi-copter drones to set off alarms when the ground gets too close. The SF20 is able to measure the first and last return signals when there is more than one object in the laser beam - objects must be separated by approximately 5 meters before they are seen as separate return signals. For terrain-following applications, this enables a drone to track the closest tops of trees and measure the height above ground simultaneously, to get information about potential collisions.
The SF20 outputs measurements from 48 readings per second, to a maximum of 388 readings per second. The slower reading rate gives a better measuring range for forward-facing obstacle detection. The faster reading rate is better for scanning applications. By adding a small digital servo, the SF20 has built-in drivers to enable scanning the area ahead of an autonomous vehicle, by adding a small digital servo. Ideal for sense-and-avoid navigation, the SF20 can either stream the measured data to the communication ports for “SLAM(Stop Look Assess and Manage)” mapping, or be analyzed internally to look for potentially hazardous alarm conditions.
There are two enclosure options available, the LW20 and the SF20. The LW20 is a sealed waterproof IP67 unit suitable for outdoor applications. Weighing less than 20 grams (excluding cables), it is ideal for applications where the weight and size are important. The SF20 is an open frame, 10-gram unit, suitable for OEM applications when low mass is the defining specification.
The SF20 is not waterproof. The SF20 / LW20 includes serial, I2C, and alarm outputs that can be easily connected to a flight controller or a standard processing platform.
Each interface on the SF20 / LW20 can be configured using a simple software menu. The SF20 / LW20 LiDAR is rated laser Class 1M eye-safe. Do not view the laser with magnifying optics such as microscopes and telescopes.
| Characteristics | ||
| Performance | ||
| Range |
0.2 ... 100 m; 0.6 ...328 ft |
|
| Resolution |
1 cm |
|
| Update Rate |
48 ... 5 000 readings per second |
|
| Accuracy |
± 10 cm |
|
| Connections | ||
| Power Supply Voltage |
4.5 V to 5.5 V |
|
| Power Supply Current |
100mA |
|
| Output and Interfaces |
USB, Serial and I2C (3.3 V TTL, 5 V tolerant) |
|
| IP rating |
Unit has no rating, front face is IP65 |
|
| Integrates with |
PX4, ArduPilot, Arduino, Raspberry Pi and LightWare Studio |
|
| Mechanical | ||
| Dimensions |
30 mm x 20 mm x 32 mm; 1.2 in x 0.79 in x 1.3 in |
|
| Weight |
7.4 g, 0.26 oz |
|
| Optical | ||
| Laser Safety |
Class 1 M |
|
| Optical Aperture |
28 mm x 15 mm |
|
| Beam Divergence |
<0.5 |
|
| Beam Type | Single beam | |
| Environmental | ||
| Operating Temperature |
-10°C to +50°C |
|
| Approvals |
FDA: 1710193-000 (2020/09) |
|
| Enclosure Ratings |
N/A |
|
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