RPLIDAR A2 360° Laser Range Scanner

The RP LIDAR A2M8 360 degrees Laser Range Finder-12 Meter Range is the next-generation low-cost 360 degrees 2D laser scanner (LIDAR) solution. It can take up to 8000 samples of laser ranging per second with high rotation speed. And equipped with SLAMTEC patented OPTMAG technology, it breakouts the life limitation of traditional LIDAR system so as to work stably for a long time.

RPLIDAR A2M8 is the enhanced version of the 2D laser range scanner(LIDAR). The system can perform 2D 360 degree scan within a 12-meter range. The generated 2D point cloud data can be used in mapping, localization, and object/environment modeling. The typical scanning frequency of the RPLIDAR A2 is 10hz (600rpm). Under this condition, the resolution will be 0.45°. And the actual scanning frequency can be freely adjusted within the 5-15hz range according to the requirements of users.

The RPLIDAR A2 adopts the low-cost laser triangulation measurement system developed by SLAMTEC, which makes the RPLIDAR A2 has an excellent performance in all kinds of indoor environment and the outdoor environment without direct sunlight exposure. Meanwhile, before leaving the factory, every RPLIDAR A2 has passed strict testing to ensure the laser output power meets the standards of FDA Class I.

The core of RPLIDAR A2 runs clockwise to perform a 360-degree omnidirectional laser range scanning for its surrounding environment and then generates an outline map for the environment.

System connection:

The RPLIDAR A2 consists of a range scanner core and the mechanical powering part which makes the core rotate at a high speed. When it functions normally, the scanner will rotate and scan clockwise. And users can get the range scan data via the communication interface of the RPLIDAR and control the start, stop, and rotating speed of the rotate motor via PWM.

Mechanism:

The RPLIDAR A2 is based on the laser triangulation ranging principle and adopts the high-speed vision acquisition and processing hardware developed by SLAMTEC. The system ranges more than 8000 times per second.

During every ranging process, the RPLIDAR emits modulated infrared laser signal and the laser signal is then reflected by the object to be detected. The returning signal is then sampled by a vision acquisition system in RPLIDAR and the DSP embedded in RPLIDAR starts processing the sample data and outputs distance value and angle value between object and RPLIDAR via the communication interface. When driven by the motor system, the range scanner core will rotate clockwise and perform the 360-degree scan for the current environment.

Communication interface:

The RPLIDAR A2 uses separate 5V DC power for powering the range scanner core and the motor system. And the standard RPLIDAR A2 uses an XH2.54-5P male socket. The detailed interface definition is shown in the following figure:

Application :

1. General robot navigation and localization
2. Environment scanning and 3D re-modeling
3. Service robot or industrial robot working for long hours
4. Home service /cleaning robot navigation and localization
5. General simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM)
6. Smart toy localization and obstacle avoidance.

Features:

1. 4cm Ultra-thin
2. Ideal for all kinds of service robot.
3. 8000 times sample rate, the highest in the current economical LIDAR industry
4. 360-degree laser range scanning
5. Low Noise, Brushless Motor New Non-contact Drive
6. 12m Range Radius
7. OPTMAG Original Design, prolong the life-span
8. Class 1 Laser Safety Standard
9. High-speed RPVision Range Engine: RPVision 2.0
10. Five years ultra-long life.

Documentation:

1. Datasheet
2. RPLIDAR A2 360° Laser Range Scanner
3. Slamtec Resources 
4. Datasheet direct
5. Introduction to Standard SDK
6. Laser Radar Selection Guide

Package Includes:

1 x RPLIDAR A2 360° Laser Range Scanner
1 x USB Cable
1 x DC Cable
1 x Adapter Driver Board