TFMini Plus ?

[niclet]

Hello,
Do you know if this works with the TFMini Plus ?
I have tried, but as soon as I connect it to expected pins, RPI stops working.
Thanks.

[JacquesGodin]

Hey niclet, I have a TFMini Plus too but I cannot make it work in any way. Did you try yours with the Benewake's PC software

[ibrahimqazi]

@JacquesGodin Which port you want to use ?

[JacquesGodin]

Hey Ibrahim, I'm using COM4

[ibrahimqazi]

COM4? you mean USB port of Raspeberry Pi right ? if you are using USB port then you need TTL_UART to USB board then you can use it. Or if you don't have this board then you can utilize the simulative serial port of Raspberry Pi and get the data using Python.

[JacquesGodin]

sorry Ibrahim, I thought I provided more context. I'm using a USB-to-TTL converter and I'm able to make readings of the sensor. I'm not able to isolate one single reading value tho. Whenever I open the port, it starts to shoot values - more or less, 7 values per second. Do you know how to obtain a single reading?

[ibrahimqazi]

@JacquesGodin I know by default it will send the data to terminal continuously but you can change it to trigger mode. I am not sure if TFmini plus has trigger mode, I need to check it.

[JacquesGodin]

That would be great ibrahim, thanks. It would be important to have a single reading, since I want to measure distance and for that I need to divide the delta of two distances per the delta of time elapsed

[ibrahimqazi]

@JacquesGodin do you have the manual of TFmini plus? It can be switched to Trigger mode but before that you need to set the frequency to 0Hz.

[ibrahimqazi]

@JacquesGodin do you have the manual of TFmini plus? It can be switched to Trigger mode but before that you need to set the frequency to 0Hz.

[JacquesGodin]

Hey Ibrahim, I'm not sure if I know how to trigger the frequency through python. Do you know any tutorial that can help me with that?

[ibrahimqazi]

@JacquesGodin I only know how to reduce the frequency like by default it is 100Hz but it can be set to 1Hz, but I never tried the trigger mode.

[JacquesGodin]

How do you reduce the frequency? It can be a start

[ibrahimqazi]

By sending the instructions to it, Do you have the GUI software for TFmini plus?

[ibrahimqazi]

Or any other serial monitor software can also be used. But GUI is easy to use.......

[JacquesGodin]

That's one of my problems: The Benewake's test software isn't working on my end. However, I've been able to make a small python script to read the TFMini from a USB to TTL connection. Do you know any way to send those instructions through Python?

[ibrahimqazi]

What is the problem with GUI if you can tell me maybe I will help you? you can also use other serial monitor software like SSCom

[JacquesGodin]

I'm going to check that software, thanks.

The problem with the GUI is:

• The drivers seem to be well installed
• The Software detects the COM port I'm using
• When I click on run, it does not get any readings from the sensor

I've tried other COM ports and different configurations (like the baud rate) and nothing happens. Yet, with the python script I can get sensor data

[ibrahimqazi]

@JacquesGodin I will update you soon

[JacquesGodin]

Thanks ibrahim