LIDAR-Lite v3 Hookup Guide
Shawn Hymel Hardware Overview
Differences Between v3 and v3HP
Functionally, the LIDAR-Lite v3 and LIDAR-Lite v3HP are quite similar. The primary differences are listed here:
| Specs | LIDAR-Lite v3 | LIDAR-Lite v3HP |
|---|---|---|
| Update Rate | 500 Hz | > 1kHz |
| Current Consumption (idle) | 105 mA | 65 mA |
| Current Consumption (acquisition) | 130 mA | 85 mA |
| Casing | None | IPX7 rated casing |
Case
The LIDAR-Lite has two tubes on the front that contain a transmitter (laser) and receiver. You'll want to face these toward your target.
On the side, you'll find an electrical port that connects to the included 6-wire cable. Plug in the wire harness to the port to break out the pins.
On the back, you'll find 4 mounting holes that are designed to accept #6 or M3.5 screws or bolts.
Wires
The LIDAR-Lite has 6 wires that can be used to communicate with the sensor.
| Color | Pin | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Red | 5V | Power (5V) |
| Orange | PWR EN | Power enable (internal pullup) |
| Yellow | MODE | Mode control (for PWM mode) |
| Green | SCL | I2C clock |
| Blue | SDA | I2C data |
| Black | GND | Ground |
Power
Both the LIDAR-Lite v3 as well as the LIDAR-Lite v3HP units require between 4.5V to 5.5V of DC power to operate (nominally, 5V). The LIDAR-LITE v3 can draw up to 135 mA of current during continuous operation (105 mA at idle). Contrarily, the v3HP unit draws up to 85 mA of current during continuous operation (65 mA at idle). To maintain a level voltage, Garmin recommends putting a 680 μF capacitor between power (5V) and ground (GND) as close to the LIDAR unit as possible.