ZX Distance and Gesture sensor re-calibration for semi-transparent mirror

Sensors Distance
1

Hi,

I’m trying to use ZX Distance and Gesture sensor (SEN-13162) which is placed behind the semi-transparent mirror (70% opacity). After making optical separation to avoidcrosstalk by stray light inside the housing between transmitters and receiver, the sensor can detect gestures but only with limited range (up to 7cm). Also Z coordinate is limited: ~240@7cm, ~70@1cm from sensor.

This seems like a problem due to mirror semi-transparency - received IR signal is weaker as expected by the microcontroller.

Could you please advise how to “calibrate” gesture sensor, so it can be used behind various semi-transparent surfaces like semi-transparent mirrors with increased range (~20cm)? It would be great to allow users to modify sensor parameters like:

  • Increase IR LED power / PWM freq (boost level)?

  • Change receiver sensitivity levels?

  • Modify PIC16F1823 firmware (I’ve noticed some undocumented pins on the top of the sensor)?

I’ve studies “GestureSense XZ01 Sensor I2C Register Map” but there is no option to “re-calibrate” it.

I love the sensor because of its design - IR transmitters and receiver are separated by enough free space, other IR sensors have those too close.

Also, XYZ version of the gesture sensor would be great (with swipe UP/DOWN gestures :slight_smile:

Thank you for your ideas!

2

Unfortunately there isn’t a way to calibrate the sensor and the firmware is closed source so you can’t modify it.

You might be able to get better range with brighter LEDs, though we’ve never tried that.

3

Thank you for you reply.

Could you please recommend:

  • PN of brighter LEDs compatible with SEN-13162 and

  • the procedure of how to change the LEDs.

Thank you!

4

I’m afraid I can not recommend different LEDs and we don’t have a procedure for changing the LEDs that come on this product.

Sadly, you’re going to be on your own if you want to modify the board.