AN #16 - Using the Sharp GP2D02 distance sensor


The following application note was donated by Lex Bolkesteijn

Lex is using the GP2D02 in his robots but there are many applications for this part.
The GP2D02 from Sharp is a distance sensor that can measure distances from 7cm to 1.2 meter.
It uses an optical transmitter and receiver to measure the distance and outputs the distance in 8 bit serial format.

The datasheet of the GP2D02 can be downloaded from :  http://www.sharp.co.jp/ecg/sys/gp2d02/gp2d02-fea.html

A more in depth description of the GP2D02 is also available.
Dr.-Ing. Claus Kuehnel donated one of the chapters of his BASIC STAMP book that describes the GP2D02.
In fact the BASIC STAMP book is a good source for interfacing all kind of hardware.