DII
DevHeads IoT Integration Server•3mo ago
Sterling

Issues with I2C Communication to VL53L0X Sensor Using STM32F103C8 Without ST Library

I am using the VL53L0X sensor with an STM32F103C8 microcontroller and want to communicate with the sensor directly over I2C without using ST's library. My goal is to minimize project size and better understand the low-level protocol. I’ve initialized the I2C interface using CMSIS and am sending commands like setting the control register and reading measurement data, but I’m getting inconsistent responses. See how I initialized the i2c: 
// I2C initialization using CMSIS
I2C1->CR1 |= I2C_CR1_PE;  
I2C1->CR2 |= (36 << I2C_CR2_FREQ_Pos);
I2C1->CCR = 180;
I2C1->TRISE = 37;

// Sending and reading I2C data
I2C1->DR = (VL53L0X_ADDR << 1); 
while (!(I2C1->SR1 & I2C_SR1_TXE)) {}
I2C1->DR = REG_COMMAND;
while (!(I2C1->SR1 & I2C_SR1_RXNE)) {}
uint8_t response = I2C1->DR;
// I2C initialization using CMSIS
I2C1->CR1 |= I2C_CR1_PE;  
I2C1->CR2 |= (36 << I2C_CR2_FREQ_Pos);
I2C1->CCR = 180;
I2C1->TRISE = 37;

// Sending and reading I2C data
I2C1->DR = (VL53L0X_ADDR << 1); 
while (!(I2C1->SR1 & I2C_SR1_TXE)) {}
I2C1->DR = REG_COMMAND;
while (!(I2C1->SR1 & I2C_SR1_RXNE)) {}
uint8_t response = I2C1->DR;
Has anyone successfully worked with the VL53L0X directly over I2C without the library? Any tips on improving communication? If the ST library is necessary, could someone explain how to integrate it with CMSIS? I prefer CMSIS due to size constraints and learning purposes, but I'm open to using the library if needed. Any help would be appreciated!
7 Replies
ZacckOsiemo
ZacckOsiemo•3mo ago
what error are you facing? Its possible to use CMSIS
Marvee Amasi
Marvee Amasi•3mo ago
You are missing the start condition and proper addressing for the device. The VL53L0X expects a start condition and the 7bit address followed by the R/W bit
Marvee Amasi
Marvee Amasi•3mo ago
After finishing the transaction , you should generate a stop condition
I2C1->CR1 |= I2C_CR1_STOP;
I2C1->CR1 |= I2C_CR1_STOP;
Sterling
Sterling•3mo ago
Nice nice, your suggestion worked out pretty fine for me... Thanks @Marvee Amasi
Marvee Amasi
Marvee Amasi•3mo ago
Glad it was fixed
Sterling
Sterling•3w ago
@ZacckOsiemo Specifically, when I send a command (like reading the distance measurement from the sensor), the responses seem to be incorrect or don’t match the expected format. But the issue lied with improper addressing for the device, of which has been resolved
ZacckOsiemo
ZacckOsiemo•3w ago
Do you have a logic analyzer? Because that would have told you your issue very early on.

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