# Pololu Digital Distance Sensor 50cm

**Type:** Product page · **SKU:** POLOLU-4067 · **Brand:** [Pololu](https://core-electronics.com.au/brands/pololu-australia)
**Page:** https://core-electronics.com.au/pololu-digital-distance-sensor-50cm.html ([markdown](https://core-electronics.com.au/pololu-digital-distance-sensor-50cm.html.md))

This small lidar-based distance sensor detects the presence of objects within 50 cm (20"). It has a single digital output that drives low when an object ...

## Pricing

- **Price:** $38.40 (inc GST) — $34.91 AUD, exc GST
- **Quantity discounts:** 10+ $33.51 (exc GST) · 25+ $32.46 (exc GST)

## Availability & dispatch

- In stock, ships same business day if ordered before 2PM (Australia/Sydney).
- We can dispatch 3 today, and up to 200 more in 4–7 days.

## Description

This compact sensor is a great way to quickly detect the presence of nearby objects. As long as the sensor is enabled, it takes continuous distance measurements and uses a single digital output to indicate if it detects an object within its detection range. The output is driven low when the sensor detects an object; otherwise, the output is high.

| [![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11271_2102923e77e.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11271_1670865d2ba.png) |
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| [![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11161_1848055f629.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11161_37599f1ec4d.jpg) |
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| [**\#4050: Digital output, 5cm**](https://core-electronics.com.au/pololu-digital-distance-sensor-5cm.html) | 5 cm | < 5 mm | 145 Hz | 0000 | irs16a |
| [**\#4052: Digital output, 10cm**](https://core-electronics.com.au/pololu-digital-distance-sensor-10cm.html) | 10 cm | < 5 mm | 115 Hz | 0010 |
| [**\#4054: Digital output, 15cm**](https://core-electronics.com.au/pololu-digital-distance-sensor-15cm.html) | 15 cm | < 5 mm | 95 Hz | 0100 |
| [**\#4066: Digital output, 25cm**](https://core-electronics.com.au/pololu-digital-distance-sensor-25cm.html) | 25 cm | < 1 mm | 100 Hz | 0000 | irs17a |
| [**\#4067: Digital output, 50cm**](https://core-electronics.com.au/pololu-digital-distance-sensor-50cm.html) | 50 cm | < 1 mm | 100 Hz | 0001 |
| [**\#4069: Digital output, 100cm**](https://core-electronics.com.au/pololu-digital-distance-sensor-100cm.html) | 100 cm | < 1 mm | 100 Hz | 0011 |
| [**\#4077: Digital output, 200cm**](https://core-electronics.com.au/pololu-digital-distance-sensor-200cm.html) | 200 cm | < 1 mm | 30 Hz | 1011 |

| **Pulse width output** (provides distance measurement) |
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| [**\#4064: Pulse width output, 50cm max**](https://core-electronics.com.au/pololu-distance-sensor-with-pulse-width-output-50cm-max.html) | ~50 cm | 1 cm | 3 mm | 50 Hz | 1110 | irs16a |
| [**\#4071: Pulse width output, 130cm max**](https://core-electronics.com.au/pololu-distance-sensor-with-pulse-width-output-130cm-max.html) | ~130 cm | 4 cm | 1 mm | 100 Hz | 0101 | irs17a |
| [**\#4079: Pulse width output, 300cm max**](https://core-electronics.com.au/pololu-distance-sensor-with-pulse-width-output-300cm-max.html) | ~300 cm | 4 cm | 2 mm | 30 Hz | 1101 |

**1** Effective range depends on object reflectivity and ambient lighting conditions.
**2** Objects closer than the minimum distance can still be detected, but the measured distance might be inaccurate. The minimum detection range is < 5 mm for irs16a boards and < 1 mm for irs17a boards.

These are the output graphs for the digital output versions that just report if an object is in their detection range:

| \| [![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11151_14459e94304.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11151_161893d4a2f.png) \| \|---\| | \| [![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11152_1492650dce1.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11152_161712441a0.png) \| \|---\|---\| | \| [![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11153_15147671872.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11153_165206afe34.png) \| \|---\|---\| |
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| \| [![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11270_15345089aa6.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11270_1733253634e.png) \| | \| [![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11271_154837e1216.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11271_1670865d2ba.png) \| \|---\|---\| | \| [![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11272_15637700695.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11272_16713404988.png) \| \|---\|---\| |
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|  | \| [![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11273_162551934d5.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11273_1707036dc59.png) \| |  |
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The output graph is a bit different for the versions that use a pulse width to encode the measured distance. The output for these versions is similar to hobby servo control signals and is shown below as a function of time:

| [![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11154_155369da88d.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11154_1138444602d.png) |
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**Comparison to Sharp Digital Distance Sensors**

These Pololu Digital Distance Sensors have the same form factor and pinout as Pololu's [carrier boards](https://core-electronics.com.au/pololu-carrier-with-sharp-gp2y0d805z0f-digital-distance-sensor-5cm.html) for the Sharp/Socle [GP2Y0D8x](https://core-electronics.com.au/sharp-gp2y0d805z0f-digital-distance-sensor-5cm.html) digital distance sensors. They are available in the same 5 cm, 10 cm, and 15 cm ranges, in addition to longer ranges of up to several meters. This means they can be used as replacements for these older modules, which are based on sensors from Sharp/Socle that are no longer in production, and the longer-range versions can serve as upgrades that provide enhanced detection and measurement capabilities. The sensors on these newer units are much thinner than the Sharp modules, so the zero-range point is approximately 7 mm closer to the PCB, and the beam angle of the newer units is wider. The pictures below show side-by-side comparisons of the two:

| \| [![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11280_20376d5df3d.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11280_27673e4b9e1.jpg) \| \|---\| | \| [![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11281_184001eb547.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11281_74029a45044.jpg) \| \|---\|---\| | \| [![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11282_84216d376d.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11282_49607a8ea0a.jpg) \| \|---\|---\| |
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**People often buy this product together with:**

| [![Pololu Distance Sensor with Pulse Width Output, 50cm Max](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11135_3779d30377.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/pololu-distance-sensor-with-pulse-width-output-50cm-max.html) | [Pololu Distance Sensor with Pulse Width Output, 50cm Max](https://core-electronics.com.au/pololu-distance-sensor-with-pulse-width-output-50cm-max.html) |
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| [![Pololu Digital Distance Sensor 25cm](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11227_3759097653.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/pololu-digital-distance-sensor-25cm.html) | [Pololu Digital Distance Sensor 25cm](https://core-electronics.com.au/pololu-digital-distance-sensor-25cm.html) |
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| [![Pololu Digital Distance Sensor 100cm](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11229_38328021c4.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/pololu-digital-distance-sensor-100cm.html) | [Pololu Digital Distance Sensor 100cm](https://core-electronics.com.au/pololu-digital-distance-sensor-100cm.html) |
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**Dimensions**

 | Size: | 0.85" × 0.35" × 0.136" |
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| Weight: | 0.4 g |

**General specifications**

 | Maximum range: | 50 cm |
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| Sampling rate: | 100 Hz[1](https://core-electronics.com.au/#note1) |
| Minimum operating voltage: | 3.0 V |
| Maximum operating voltage: | 5.5 V |
| Supply current: | 30 mA[2](https://core-electronics.com.au/#note2) |
| Output type: | digital[3](https://core-electronics.com.au/#note3) |

**Identifying markings**

 | PCB dev codes: | irs17a |
|---|---|
| Other PCB markings: | 0J13150 |

**Notes:**

1Minimum.2Typical average current draw when enabled; disabling via the EN pin reduces it to around 0.4 mA.3Low when detecting an object, high otherwise. **File downloads**

- **[Dimension diagram of the Pololu Digital Distance Sensors (irs17a)](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/pololu-digital-distance-sensor-dimensions-irs17a_192972c53ab.pdf) (193k pdf)**
- **3D model of the Pololu Digital Distance Sensors (irs17a) (5MB step)**
- **Drill guide for the Pololu Digital Distance Sensors (irs17a) (22k dxf)**
    
    This DXF drawing shows the locations of all of the board’s holes.

## Images

- [Product image 1](https://core-electronics.com.au/media/catalog/product/i/m/image_391.jpg)