VCNL4010 proximity and light sensor: specs and pinout
A module built around the VCNL4010 chip, which has an infrared emitter, a proximity sensor and an ambient light sensor, read over I2C, with an interrupt pin. The figures here are for the chip, not the module board.
Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Supply voltage (VDD) | 2.5 V to 3.6 V | source Features; Basic Characteristics, p.2 |
| IR emitter anode supply | 2.5 V to 5 V | source Features; Basic Characteristics, p.2 |
| I2C bus H-level range | 1.7 V to 5 V | source Features, p.1 |
| I2C address | 0x13 (7-bit, fixed) | source Device Address |
| Proximity range | 1 mm to 200 mm | source Product Summary, p.1 |
| LED drive current | 10 mA to 200 mA in 10 mA steps, set over I2C; default 20 mA | source IR LED current register (Valid Range 0 to 20d; 2 = 20 mA = DEFAULT) |
| Ambient light range and resolution | 0.25 lx to 16 klx; 0.25 lx per step | source Product Summary, p.1 |
| ADC resolution | 16 bit (proximity) and 16 bit (ambient light) | source Product Summary, p.1 |
| Standby current | 1.5 uA | source Features, p.1 |
| Operating temperature | -25 C to +85 C | source Absolute Maximum Ratings, p.2 |
Power
| Value | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Supply | VDD 2.5 V to 3.6 V; IR anode 2.5 V to 5 V | source Features, p.1 |
| Current | 1.5 uA standby | source Features, p.1 |
Pinout
The module board is not covered by an official document. Its regulator, pull-up resistors, address jumpers, level handling and header order are not documented by a source; check the printed labels on the board. The numbers on this page are for the chip.
| Pin | Function | Voltage | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IR anode | 2.5 V to 5 V | Infrared emitter anode supply | source Pinning drawing p.1; Application Circuit (chip) |
| 2 | IR cathode | Needs no external connection; connection to the driver is internal | source Pinning drawing p.1; Application Circuit (chip) | |
| 3 | IR cathode | Needs no external connection; connection to the driver is internal | source Pinning drawing p.1; Application Circuit (chip) | |
| 4 | SDA | I2C data | source Pinning drawing p.1; Application Circuit (chip) | |
| 5 | SCL | I2C clock | source Pinning drawing p.1; Application Circuit (chip) | |
| 6 | INT | Interrupt output, open drain | source Pinning drawing p.1; Application Circuit (chip) | |
| 7 | VDD | 2.5 V to 3.6 V | Supply voltage | source Pinning drawing p.1; Application Circuit (chip) |
| 8 | nc | Not connected | source Pinning drawing p.1; Application Circuit (chip) | |
| 9 | nc | Not connected | source Pinning drawing p.1; Application Circuit (chip) | |
| 10 | nc | Not connected | source Pinning drawing p.1; Application Circuit (chip) | |
| 11 | nc | Not connected | source Pinning drawing p.1; Application Circuit (chip) | |
| 12 | GND | Ground | source Pinning drawing p.1; Application Circuit (chip) | |
| 13 | GND | Ground (pad) | source Pinning drawing p.1; Application Circuit (chip) |
Build with it
Project ideas for the VCNL4010 proximity and light sensor. Each link opens Soldr with the prompt filled in; Soldr assigns the pins, checks power and shows how to wire every part.
- Hand-near distance display: The chip works from 3.3 V on I2C, matching the ESP32. The OLED shows the proximity count, valid for objects 1 mm to 200 mm away. The IR emitter current is set over I2C from 10 mA to 200 mA (default 20 mA); leave the default and check the module's emitter supply before raising it.
- Ambient light meter: The ambient light channel reads 0.25 lx to 16 klx with 16-bit output, shown on the OLED.
- Light-following LED brightness: Ambient light readings set a PWM value on an ESP32 pin driving an LED through a resistor from the packs. Learning project.
Common mistakes
- Powering the chip VDD from 5 V: VDD is 2.5 V to 3.6 V and the maximum rating is 5.5 V (source: link, p.2). Only the IR emitter anode may go to 5 V. Check how the module board connects them.
- No pull-ups: the interrupt pin is open drain and needs a pull-up (the sheet suggests above 1 kOhm, for example 10 kOhm to 100 kOhm), and I2C needs pull-ups too (source: link, application circuit notes).
- Looking for an address option: the 7-bit address is fixed at 0x13, so two on one bus need a multiplexer (source: link, Device Address).
Not covered by the official source
- The verbatim copy of Vishay's document on a mirror was used.
- The document is revision 1.6 (2014); a later Vishay revision may differ.
Sources
- link (VCNL4010 Fully Integrated Proximity and Ambient Light Sensor, Vishay Semiconductors, Rev. 1.6, 13-Aug-14, document 83462; verbatim maker PDF on a mirror)