ADNS-3080 Optical Flow Sensor Module

The ADNS-3080 is an optical flow sensor module built around the Avago (now Broadcom) ADNS-3080 high-performance optical mouse sensor, adapted for robotics and drone navigation. Unlike a conventional mouse sensor that requires a dedicated illumination LED, this module is designed for longer working distances and can use ambient light, making it suitable for measuring ground-relative motion in indoor and industrial environments where GPS signals are weak or unavailable. It captures sequential surface images through an 8mm M12-mount lens and processes them with an internal DSP to calculate Δx and Δy displacement, which a host microcontroller reads over a four-wire SPI interface.

The sensor’s imaging array provides 30 × 30 pixel frames and supports a programmable frame rate from 2000 to over 6400 frames per second, allowing it to track fast motion with low latency. The IC offers selectable 400 or 1600 cpi resolution, senses speeds up to 40 inches per second, and tolerates acceleration up to 15g. The module operates from a single 3.3V supply (IC supply range 2.7–3.6V), with a typical active current of approximately 19mA. Because the ADNS-3080’s I/O pins are 3.3V logic, the module includes a MISO level jumper that must be configured correctly when interfacing with 5V microcontrollers such as the APM2.x, to prevent interference with other sensors on the same bus.

The ADNS3080 optical flow module measures approximately 32 × 32 × 12 mm and features a standard M12×0.5 lens mount, so the supplied 8mm lens can be replaced with alternatives to adjust field of view and working distance. It is commonly used for optical odometry, horizontal position hold, obstacle avoidance, and GPS-denied navigation in quadcopters, ground robots, and automated guided vehicles. The module is fully assembled and ready to mount with the lens facing downward and the connector pins forward. It is a passive sensor module—it does not include a flight controller, motor driver, or power regulation beyond what is required for the sensor itself.