MTF-01P Optical Flow & LiDAR Sensor — User Manual
The MTF-01P is the upgraded MTF-01: same optical-flow core and 100 Hz serial output, but the LED rangefinder is replaced by a laser — range grows from 8 m to 12 m, the beam tightens from 6° to a precise 1.5°, and strong-sunlight performance improves (8 m even at 70 klux). If your aircraft hovers higher than a couple of meters, or flies outdoors where sunlight washes out LED rangefinders, this is the one. Works with ArduPilot, PX4, INAV and FMT.
Where to buy
- Robofusion store (ships from Canada — free Canada-wide shipping): MicoAir MTF-01P — order the variant matching your firmware, or switch protocols anytime in software. Also included in our 5-Inch FPV Electronics Kit
- Free 3D-printable case: see Sensor Cases & Mounts
MTF-01P vs MTF-01 — what the laser buys you
| MTF-01P | MTF-01 | |
|---|---|---|
| Range (600 lux) | 0.02–12 m | 0.02–8 m |
| Range (70 klux, bright sun) | 0.01–8 m | 0.01–5 m |
| Range source | Laser, 808 nm | LED, 850 nm |
| Range FOV | 1.5° (tight spot) | 6° |
| Size / weight | 33.2 × 20.8 × 16.8 mm / 8 g | 29.3 × 17 × 14.5 mm / 4.5 g |
| Everything else | identical | identical |
The tight 1.5° beam also means cleaner altitude readings over uneven ground — the sensor sees one spot, not a 6° patch averaging grass and gravel.
Specifications
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Range | 0.02–12 m @ 90% reflectivity (600 lux) · 0.01–8 m @ 70 klux |
| Range accuracy | 4 cm (0.02–2 m) · 2% (>2 m) |
| Range source / FOV | Laser, 808 nm / 1.5° |
| Optical flow FOV | 42° |
| Max flow speed | 7 m/s at 1 m altitude |
| Min flow distance / light | 8 cm / >60 lux |
| Interface | LVTTL (3.3 V) UART, 115200 baud, 100 Hz |
| Protocols | MAVLink (ArduPilot), MAVLink (PX4), MSP (INAV), Micolink (FMT/custom) |
| Power | 5 V, 100 mA average |
| Mounting / size / weight | 24.3 × 12 mm Φ2.5 holes · 33.2 × 20.8 × 16.8 mm · 8 g |
Dimensions
Wiring
| Pin | Connect to flight controller |
|---|---|
| GND | GND |
| 5V | 5 V |
| Rx | UART TX |
| Tx | UART RX |
Mounting
Face straight down, optics unobstructed, default orientation as below (adjustable in MicoAssistant). The mounting hole pattern matches the MTF-01, so frames and printed mounts designed for one fit the other.
Configuration
Same procedure as every MTF sensor — full ArduPilot / PX4 / INAV walkthrough here:
→ Optical Flow Setup Guide — ArduPilot / PX4 / INAV
Quick reference for ArduPilot: SERIALn_PROTOCOL 1, SERIALn_BAUD 115, FLOW_TYPE 5, RNGFND1_TYPE 10, RNGFND1_MAX_CM 1200 (12 m — the one value that differs from the MTF-01), RNGFND1_ORIENT 25.
Related guides
- Optical Flow Setup Guide (ArduPilot / PX4 / INAV)
- MTF-01 — User Manual · MTF-02 / MTF-02P — User Manual
- Free 3D-printable cases & mounts
- Grasshopper5 build project — flies with this exact sensor
Written and maintained by the Robofusion engineering team. Cross-checked against MicoAir's Chinese user manual (June 2026 revision).