UAV
LiDAR Sensors for Drones or UAVs
TFA170-L10g Globally Leading Ultralight Long-Range LiDAR
TFA170-L is a long-range single-point LiDAR built for UAV platforms where payload budget is limited. At just 10g and ≤1W, this drone proximity sensor delivers up to 170m detection range with 1cm resolution — offering drone developers reliable long-range distance measurement with minimum payload penalty. Its multiple built-in operating modes also allow customers to adjust parameters and configurations to meet various applications.
Key specifications
- Measuring range
- 0.1 ~ 170 m
- Frame rate
- 1 ~ 1000 Hz
- Interface
- RS-232
- Protection
- Without enclosure
Need help confirming a selection or purchase details?
Applications
Full specifications
| Parameter | Value | Parameter | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Measuring range | 0.1 ~ 170 m | Detecting accuracy | ± 10 cm (< 10 m), 1% (≥ 10 m) |
| Frame rate | 1 ~ 1000 Hz | Interface | RS-232 |
| Protection | Without enclosure | Dimensions | 31.0 mm × 30.2 mm × 19.2 mm |
| Power consumption | ≤ 1 W | Weight | ~ 10 g |
| Field of view | < 0.5° | Output data | Single-point Distance Value |
| Operating voltage | DC 12 ± 10% V |
Applicable scope and usage limits
Applicable scenarios
Suitable for medium/long-range single-point measurement on UAV, surveying and engineering equipment.
Condition: Bounded by the range, accuracy and operating conditions in the product datasheet.
Not applicable
TFA170-L is not intended for measurements beyond this model's datasheet range, accuracy or interface limits, and is not a substitute for certified redundant safety systems.
Condition: If the target requirement exceeds the specification boundary, complete a selection review or contact technical support first.
Balancing range, weight and environment at long distance
Set the working distance and margin for the real target reflectivity first, then compare weight, enclosure, protection, interface and update rate. These are current specification differences, not a performance ranking without matched-condition tests.
View comparison topicTFA170-LCurrent model
A weight-conscious 170 m-class module
TFA170-L is currently specified at 0.1–170 m, about 10 g, RS-232 and 12 V for systems that need long-range input while tightly controlling payload.
Boundary: It has no enclosure; verify output rate and delivered version, and validate structural, water and thermal protection for outdoor use.
View model detailsTF03
180 m-class sensing with IP67 and multiple interfaces
TF03 is currently specified at 0.1–180 m and IP67 with UART, CAN, RS-232 and RS-485 for outdoor tasks that can carry about 86 g and need enclosure and interface choice.
Boundary: High rates must match baud rate and interface version; target surface, background, vibration and control latency still require system validation.
View model detailsTFA300 Series
More range and high update rate with controlled weight
TFA300 is currently specified at 0.1–290 m, up to 10000 Hz and IP67 with UART and CAN for tasks where long range and fast sampling both matter.
Boundary: Headline maxima do not replace tests with the real target and environment; verify power, data-link bandwidth, mounting stiffness and version together.
View model detailsTF350
350 m-class sensing in a protected enclosure
TF350 is currently specified at 0.2–350 m and IP67 with UART, CAN, RS-232 and RS-485 for platforms prioritizing range margin and interface choice and able to carry about 224 g.
Boundary: Greater range comes with more weight and size; do not select by maximum range alone—validate target, environment, mounting and system stopping or control margin.
View model details| Parameter | TFA170-L | TF03 | TFA300 Series | TF350 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measuring range | 0.1 ~ 170 m | 0.1 ~ 180 m | 0.1 ~ 290 m | 0.2 ~ 350 m |
| Detecting accuracy | ± 10 cm (< 10 m), 1% (≥ 10 m) | ± 10 cm (≤ 10 m)1% (> 10 m) | ± 10 cm (<10 m)1% (≥ 10 m) | ± 10 cm (≤ 10 m)1% (> 10 m) |
| Frame rate | 1 ~ 1000 Hz | 1 ~ 9800 Hz | 1 ~ 10,000 Hz | 1 ~ 1000 Hz |
| Interface | RS-232 | UART, CAN, RS-232, RS-485 | UART, CAN | UART, CAN, RS-232, RS-485 |
| Protection | Without enclosure | IP67 | IP67 | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 31.0 mm × 30.2 mm × 19.2 mm | 44 mm × 43 mm × 32 mm | 49.4 mm × 37.0 mm × 28.6 mm | 78 mm × 67 mm × 40 mm |
| Power consumption | ≤ 1 W | ≤ 0.8 W | ≤ 0.45 W | ≤ 1 W |
| Weight | ~ 10 g | 86 ± 3 g | 10.5 g | 224 ± 3 g |
| Field of view | < 0.5° | 0.5° | < 0.5° | 0.35° |
| Operating voltage | DC 12 ± 10% V | 5 ~ 24 V | DC 5 V ± 10% | 5 ~ 24 V |
FAQ
What is the maximum measurement range of the TFA170-L?
The TFA170-L achieves a maximum range of 170m at 90% reflectivity and 70m at 10% reflectivity, with a minimum detection distance of 0.1m. Range performance is specified at 25°C and 85kLux ambient light conditions; environmental changes may affect results.
What communication interfaces are supported?
The TFA170-L uses RS-232 as the default communication interface with a baud rate of 115200, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no parity. Custom interfaces are available upon request from Benewake support; the 1.25mm-4P connector accommodates the standard serial configuration.
What are the best use cases for the TFA170-L?
The TFA170-L is ideal for long-range industrial applications including drone altitude hold, AGV/AMR obstacle avoidance, silo and tank level monitoring, smart parking systems, and industrial IoT deployments. Its 170m range and <0.5° narrow field-of-view make it suited for point-distance measurements in outdoor and indoor environments.
What are the accuracy specifications?
The TFA170-L provides ±10cm accuracy for distances under 10m and 1% accuracy for distances 10m and beyond, with a 1cm distance resolution. Accuracy is calibrated at 25°C indoors with 90% reflectivity; environmental variations may impact measurement precision.
What is the operating environment and temperature range?
The TFA170-L operates between -20°C and +60°C with a storage temperature range of -20°C to +80°C. It features 100kLux ambient light resistance and Class 1 eye-safe laser certification per EN60825, suitable for both indoor and outdoor deployment; however, no IP protection rating is specified.
What power supply is required?
The TFA170-L requires DC 12±10%V input with an average power consumption of ≤1W and peak current of 120mA at 12V. This low power profile makes it suitable for battery-powered platforms and embedded systems with limited power budgets.
What are the physical dimensions and weight?
The TFA170-L measures 31.0 × 30.2 × 19.2mm and weighs approximately 10g, making it one of the most compact long-range LiDAR options. The small form factor and light weight enable easy integration into space-constrained platforms like drones, robots, and IoT devices.
What are the limitations or scenarios where the TFA170-L should NOT be used?
The TFA170-L has no IP protection rating, so it is not recommended for harsh environments with water spray, dust, or extreme vibration without protective enclosure. Its narrow <0.5° field-of-view prevents simultaneous multi-directional ranging; multiple units are required for 2D/3D scanning, and frame rate is limited to 1-1000Hz, making real-time volumetric mapping impractical compared to scanning LiDAR.
How does the TFA170-L compare to competing single-point LiDAR products?
TFA170-L's 170 m range exceeds Lightware LW20-100 (100 m) and Garmin LidarLite V4 (40 m), making it suitable for farther industrial applications. Within Benewake's portfolio, TF03 reaches 180 m and TF350 reaches 350 m, so choose TFA170-L when its range, weight, and interface fit the platform.
What platforms and systems can integrate the TFA170-L?
The RS-232 serial interface enables straightforward integration with Arduino, Raspberry Pi, PLC controllers, and embedded Linux systems via USB-to-serial adapters. While not natively specified, ROS integration is possible via serial bridge middleware, and the configurable 1-1000Hz frame rate accommodates diverse payload requirements from lightweight drones to stationary monitoring systems.
How do I fix a TFA170-L that was shipped with TF03S-A firmware and does not support the 9-byte protocol?
Read the full version with 5A 04 14 72. If it reports TF03S-A STDV3.02.03.00, do not flash standard TFA170-L firmware because the bootloaders are incompatible. Contact Benewake for a special build based on the TF03S-A bootloader.