Added set_address function to allow use of multiple devices on one bus

adafruit_vl53l1x.py

@@ -301,3 +301,13 @@ def _read_register(self, address, length=1):
             i2c.write(struct.pack(">H", address))
             i2c.readinto(data)
         return data
+
+    def set_address(self, i2c, new_address):
+        """
+        Set a new I2C address to the instantaited object. This is only called when using
+        multiple VL53L0X sensors on the same I2C bus (SDA & SCL pins). See also the
+        `example <examples.html#multiple-vl53l1x-on-same-i2c-bus>`_ for proper usage.
+        """
+        new_addres_as_byte_string = new_address.to_bytes(1, "little")
+        self._write_register(0x01, new_addres_as_byte_string)
+        self.i2c_device = i2c_device.I2CDevice(i2c, new_address)

examples/vl53l1x_multiple_on_same_i2c_bus.py

@@ -0,0 +1,75 @@
+# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2021 wrdaigle for Adafruit Industries
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
+
+"""
+Example of how to use the adafruit_vl53l1x library to change the assigned address of
+multiple VL53L1X sensors on the same I2C bus. This example only focuses on 2 VL53L1X
+sensors, but can be modified for more. BE AWARE: a multitude of sensors may require
+more current than the on-board 3V regulator can output (typical current consumption during
+active range readings is about 19 mA per sensor).
+"""
+import time
+import board
+from digitalio import DigitalInOut
+from adafruit_vl53l1x import VL53L1X
+
+# declare the singleton variable for the default I2C bus
+i2c = board.I2C()
+
+# declare the digital output pins connected to the "SHDN" pin on each VL53L1X sensor
+xshut = [
+    DigitalInOut(board.D16),
+    DigitalInOut(board.D17),
+    # add more VL53L1X sensors by defining their SHDN pins here
+]
+
+for power_pin in xshut:
+    # make sure these pins are a digital output, not a digital input
+    power_pin.switch_to_output(value=False)
+    # These pins are active when Low, meaning:
+    #   if the output signal is LOW, then the VL53L1X sensor is off.
+    #   if the output signal is HIGH, then the VL53L1X sensor is on.
+# all VL53L1X sensors are now off
+
+# initialize a list to be used for the array of VL53L1X sensors
+vl53 = []
+
+# now change the addresses of the VL53L1X sensors
+for i, power_pin in enumerate(xshut):
+    # turn on the VL53L1X to allow hardware check
+    power_pin.value = True
+    # instantiate the VL53L1X sensor on the I2C bus & insert it into the "vl53" list
+    vl53.insert(i, VL53L1X(i2c))  # also performs VL53L1X hardware check
+    # no need to change the address of the last VL53L1X sensor
+    if i < len(xshut) - 1:
+        # default address is 0x29. Change that to something else
+        vl53[i].set_address(
+            i2c, i + 0x30
+        )  # address assigned should NOT be already in use
+# there is a helpful list of pre-designated I2C addresses for various I2C devices at
+# https://learn.adafruit.com/i2c-addresses/the-list
+# According to this list 0x30-0x34 are available, although the list may be incomplete.
+# In the python REPR, you can scan for all I2C devices that are attached and detirmine
+# their addresses using:
+#   >>> import board
+#   >>> i2c = board.I2C()
+#   >>> if i2c.try_lock():
+#   >>>     [hex(x) for x in i2c.scan()]
+#   >>>     i2c.unlock()
+
+
+def detect_range(count=5):
+    """ take count=5 samples """
+    while count:
+        for index, sensor in enumerate(vl53):
+            print("Sensor {} Range: {}mm".format(index + 1, sensor.distance))
+        time.sleep(1.0)
+        count -= 1
+
+
+detect_range()
+print(
+    "Multiple VL53L1X sensors' addresses are assigned properly\n"
+    "execute detect_range() to read each sensors range readings"
+)