Chain ToF ESPHome Component

Chain ToF is a laser distance sensing node in the M5Stack Chain series. The device integrates a VL53L0C laser ranging module and supports a measurement range of 3 to 200 cm with an accuracy of ±3%. It is suitable for short-range distance measurement or object proximity detection.

Note

To use Chain series nodes, a compatible host is required for UART communication and control, such as the Chain DualKey host, or an Atom series device paired with the Atomic ToChain Base.

1. Component Overview

Item	Information
Expansion module	Chain ToF (U209)
Main functions	Provides distance measurement data
Communication interface	Chain Bus / UART
ESPHome components	`m5_chain_base`, `m5_chain_tof` (external components)
ESPHome version requirement	2026.9.0 or later

2. Component Details

Include External Components

Configuration Example

Configure the host UART pins (using the Chain DualKey as an example)

uart:
  - id: chain_uart_right
    tx_pin: GPIO6
    rx_pin: GPIO5
    baud_rate: 115200

  - id: chain_uart_left
    tx_pin: GPIO47
    rx_pin: GPIO48
    baud_rate: 115200 

Include the external components

external_components:
  - source: github://m5stack/esphome@feat-m5-chain
    components: [m5_chain_base, m5_chain_tof]
    refresh: 0s 

Add the Chain ToF

m5_chain_tof:
  id: chain_tof
  uart_id: chain_uart_right
  chain_index: 1
  update_interval: 250ms 

Set the correct index according to the actual position of the Chain.

Add the Chain ToF distance sensor

sensor:
  - platform: m5_chain_tof
    m5_chain_tof_id: chain_tof
    name: "Chain ToF Distance" 

Add the Chain ToF RGB LED

output:
  - platform: m5_chain_tof
    id: chain_tof_red
    m5_chain_tof_id: chain_tof
    channel: rgb_red
  - platform: m5_chain_tof
    id: chain_tof_green
    m5_chain_tof_id: chain_tof
    channel: rgb_green
  - platform: m5_chain_tof
    id: chain_tof_blue
    m5_chain_tof_id: chain_tof
    channel: rgb_blue

light:
  - platform: rgb
    name: Chain ToF RGB
    red: chain_tof_red
    green: chain_tof_green
    blue: chain_tof_blue 

3. Reference Example

After the Chain ToF expansion module is connected, you can view the corresponding Sensor and Light entities on the device page:

Dashboard card example

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