What is the main difference between a ToF sensor and LiDAR?

A ToF sensor measures a single point distance, while LiDAR scans multiple points to create a 2D or 3D map. ToF sensors are ideal for precise point measurement; LiDAR is ideal for mapping and navigation.

Is a ToF sensor cheaper than LiDAR?

Yes. ToF distance sensors are significantly more cost-effective because they do not require complex scanning optics or rotating mirrors. This makes them the preferred choice for OEM manufacturers, UAVs, robotics, and industrial automation systems.

Can ToF sensors work outdoors under strong sunlight?

Industrial pulsed ToF laser modules—such as those used in long-range Meskernel sensors—offer excellent sunlight immunity, making them suitable for UAV flight, mining, forestry, and outdoor automation.

Does LiDAR provide better accuracy than ToF?

Not always. High-quality ToF distance sensors can achieve ±1–10 mm accuracy, even at long ranges. LiDAR accuracy depends on scanning type and is often similar or slightly lower at long distances.

Which should I use for drones—ToF or LiDAR?

사용 ToF for: Altitude hold Landing assistance High-speed distance control 사용 LiDAR for: Navigation Obstacle mapping Environmental perception Many drone manufacturers use both for maximum reliability.

Which technology is better for industrial automation?

For single-point measurement, ToF sensors are more stable, cost-effective, and precise. For mapping or area scanning, LiDAR is preferred.

ToF Sensor vs LiDAR: Which Is Better for Your Project?

ToF 센서 vs LiDAR explained: working principles, pros/cons, range, accuracy, and use cases. Discover the best laser 거리 센서 for drones, AGVs, robotics, and OEM integration.

Are ToF and LiDAR the Same?

비행 시간 (ToF) sensors and LiDAR are often mentioned together because both rely on light-based 거리 측정. However, they serve very different purposes.

A ToF distance sensor is typically a compact, single-point or small-array module designed for short to medium range (from centimeters to several meters).
LiDAR, on the other hand, is usually a scanning laser system that creates 2D/3D maps for robotics, 측량, and autonomous navigation.

Choosing between them depends on your required range, precision, scanning coverage, speed, and environmental conditions—especially outdoors.

This guide provides a deep, technical, side-by-side comparison to help engineers, integrators, and OEM manufacturers choose the right solution.

Working Principle Comparison

Continuous Wave vs. Time-of-Flight

A ToF sensor calculates distance by measuring the time it takes for a laser pulse to travel to an object and back.
Most industrial ToF sensors—such as Meskernel’s long-range 레이저 거리 sensors (5–2000 m)—use pulsed ToF for maximum accuracy and outdoor performance.

LiDAR systems also use time-of-flight, but they employ more complex scanning optics, rotating mirrors, or solid-state VCSEL arrays to generate a multi-point or full-area point cloud.

In short:

ToF 센서 = single-point or small-array measurement
LiDAR = multi-point or full-area scanning

Scanning vs. Single-Point Measurement

ToF 거리 센서 are typically single-point, delivering fast, stable, high-frequency distance data—ideal for real-time control loops such as:

UAV altimetry
Industrial automation (AGV/AMR obstacle 탐지)
Material 높이 측정
Position feedback systems

LiDAR is designed for area scanning, providing:

2D or 3D point clouds
Mapping & SLAM
Navigation & localization
Wide field-of-view sensing

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

기능	ToF Sensor (Single-Point)	LiDAR (Scanning System)
범위	Short–long range (0.1–2000 m depending on model)	Medium–long range (5–300 m typical)
정확성	High accuracy (±1–10 mm typical for industrial modules)	Moderate–high accuracy; depends heavily on scanning method and reflectivity
비용	Low to medium; ideal for OEM modules	Higher due to optics, scanning units, or solid-state arrays
크기	Very compact; PCB or small metal housing	Larger, especially rotating LiDAR
Outdoor Performance	Excellent on long-range pulsed ToF models; strong sunlight immunity	Often reduced under sunlight, rain, fog, or snow
전력 소비량	Very low	Medium to high
모범 사용 사례	Height sensing, distance control, level measurement, UAV ranging	Mapping, SLAM, autonomous navigation, robotics perception
Data Output	Single distance value (high frequency)	Full point cloud (2D/3D)

When to Choose a ToF Sensor

A ToF distance sensor is the best choice when your application needs fast, precise single-point measurement rather than full scanning.

✔ Choose ToF if your project needs:

High-frequency distance feedback (up to 1–10 kHz depending on module)
Long-range measurement (up to 2000 m with our pulsed ToF OEM modules)
Compact size for drones, robots, or embedded devices
Strong outdoor performance under sunlight
Stable measurement on low-reflectivity targets
Low power consumption
Lower cost than LiDAR

Common industrial applications:

UAV altitude hold / terrain following
AGV/AMR distance control
Smart warehouses
Conveyor-based material detection
Industrial positioning systems
Tank/level measurement
Distance-trigger systems
Machine automation & safety

메커널의 산업용 레이저 거리 센서 modules are widely used in UAV mapping, robotics, smart agriculture, mining, and factory automation.

When LiDAR Is the Better Choice

LiDAR is ideal for applications requiring wide-area perception, environmental awareness, or 3D mapping.

✔ Choose LiDAR if your project needs:

Obstacle detection across a wide field of view
SLAM navigation
2D or 3D mapping
Spatial perception instead of just distance feedback
Large area scanning for autonomous systems

Best-fit applications:

Autonomous mobile robots
Driverless forklifts & self-driving vehicles
Surveying & terrain mapping
Forestry 3D scanning
Environmental monitoring
Large-area security systems

Hybrid Systems (ToF + LiDAR)

Many advanced systems combine both ToF and LiDAR, taking advantage of each technology’s strengths.

Example hybrid configuration:

LiDAR → Builds a map, detects obstacles
ToF 센서 → Provides precise height or distance feedback for control loops

Benefits of hybrid sensing:

Higher reliability
Redundancy for mission-critical tasks
Improved performance under low reflectivity or sunlight
Better measurement stability

Common hybrid use cases:

UAV terrain mapping + real-time altitude hold
AMR navigation + dock alignment
Smart agriculture robots
Industrial inspection platforms

FAQ for ToF Sensor vs LiDAR

What is the main difference between a ToF sensor and LiDAR?

A ToF sensor measures a single point distance, while LiDAR scans multiple points to create a 2D or 3D map.
ToF 센서 are ideal for precise point measurement; LiDAR is ideal for mapping and navigation.
Is a ToF sensor cheaper than LiDAR?

Yes. ToF distance sensors are significantly more cost-effective because they do not require complex scanning optics or rotating mirrors. This makes them the preferred choice for OEM manufacturers, UAVs, robotics, and industrial automation systems.
Can ToF sensors work outdoors under strong sunlight?

Industrial pulsed ToF laser modules—such as those used in long-range 메커널 sensors—offer excellent sunlight immunity, making them suitable for UAV flight, mining, forestry, and outdoor automation.
Does LiDAR provide better accuracy than ToF?

Not always.
High-quality ToF distance sensors can achieve ±1–10 mm accuracy, even at long ranges. LiDAR accuracy depends on scanning type and is often similar or slightly lower at long distances.
Which should I use for drones—ToF or LiDAR?

사용 ToF for:
Altitude hold
Landing assistance
High-speed distance control
사용 LiDAR for:
Navigation
Obstacle mapping
Environmental perception
Many drone manufacturers use both for maximum reliability.
Which technology is better for industrial automation?

For single-point measurement, ToF sensors are more stable, cost-effective, and precise.
For mapping or area scanning, LiDAR is preferred.