Once again this week, Yoctopuce presents two modules freshly converted to USB-C connectivity. As usual, they're equivalent to their Micro-B versions, but let's take a look anyway.
Yocto-RangeFinder-C
The Yocto-RangeFinder-C is a small, inexpensive rangefinder based on STMicroelectronics' VL53L0CX sensor. It is a Time of Flight (ToF) sensor: it measures the time it takes for an infrared laser emitted by the sensor to reflect off an object and return to the sensor. Note that due to the very low power of the laser, there are no restrictions on the use of the Yocto-RangeFinder-C.
Depending on its configuration, the Yocto-RangeFinder-C can measure distances of up to two meters... indoors. Outdoors, in direct sunlight, the VL53L0CX is far less efficient, measuring distances of only 40-60cm. Depending on the configuration as well, you can have a refresh rate of up to 30Hz. For further details, please refer to the module documentation.
You can split the Yocto-RangeFinder-C module: you can cut the module in two and move the sensor part using 1.27mm pitch ribbon cable or Picoflex cable.
The Yocto-RangeFinder-C and its USB-C socket
In terms of price, after tripling the cost of its components, the Yocto-RangeFinder-C comes out at CHF 52.30, CHF 2.50 more than the Micro-B version.
Yocto-MaxiCoupler-V2-C
The Yocto-MaxiCoupler-V2-C is a small, double-width module with 8 G3VM-61GR2 optocouplers from OMRON, a manufacturer with a long-standing reputation for excellence. The Yocto-MaxiCoupler-V2-C behaves exactly like all other Yoctopuce relays, and offers the same somewhat advanced functions that you may not find in the competition.
The Yocto-MaxiCoupler-V2-C's optocouplers are not polarized, so you can switch direct current (max 48V DC) or alternating current (max 30V AC) as long as you limit yourself to 1.3A. A little luxury: to avoid the damaging effects of inductive loads, the optocouplers are protected by varistors.
The Yocto-MaxiCoupler-V2-C
When we calculated the price of the Yocto-MaxiCoupler-V2-C, we immediately noticed that it came out at a much lower price than the Micro-B version. Naturally, we investigated: it appears that OMRON optocouplers, which are rather expensive components, have indeed dropped in price. This has a significant influence on production costs. So we've followed suit, lowering the price of the Yocto-MaxiCoupler-V2 from CHF 100.70 to CHF 89.30 and set the price of the Yocto-MaxiCoupler-V2-C to CHF 89.50.
That's all for this week. Happy holidays!
