MicoAir MTF-01P Optical Flow & Laser LiDAR Sensor — 12m Range, Outdoor-Capable, for ArduPilot / PX4 / INAV

📘 Documentation & Guides

• MTF-01P — Full User Manual — specs, wiring, mounting, and why the laser goes farther
• Optical Flow Setup Guide — ArduPilot / PX4 / INAV parameters, EKF sources, vibration checklist and tuning workflow
• Free 3D-printable mounts · MicoAssistant configurator · Video tutorial

Setting it up with an AI assistant? Read our AI setup guide first. It shows you how to point ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini at the official manual for this product, so the answers come from the real pinout and parameter names instead of guesses.

Overview

The MTF-01P is the long-range member of the MTF family: the same optical-flow core as the MTF-01, but the LED rangefinder is replaced by an 808 nm laser — range grows to 12 m, the beam tightens to a precise 1.5°, and it keeps 8 m of range even in 70 klux direct sunlight. Choose it for aircraft that hover higher than a couple of meters, fly outdoors, or work over low-reflectivity surfaces where LED units run out of signal. UART output at 100 Hz; works with ArduPilot, PX4, INAV and FMT. Also included in our 5-Inch FPV Electronics Kit.

Before you fly: the airframe comes first

An optical flow sensor corrects the flight controller's estimate — it cannot rescue a vibrating airframe. Check your IMU vibration numbers, balance your props, then add the sensor: our setup guide walks through the exact checks for each firmware.

Specifications

• Range: 0.02–12 m @ 90% reflectivity (600 lux) · 0.01–8 m @ 70 klux direct sun
• Range accuracy: 4 cm (0.02–2 m) · 2% (>2 m) — laser source, 808 nm, 1.5° FOV
• Optical flow: 42° FOV, max 7 m/s @ 1 m height, needs >60 lux and ground texture
• Interface: LVTTL (3.3 V) UART, 115200 baud, 100 Hz · Protocols: MAVLink (ArduPilot / PX4), MSP (INAV), Micolink
• Power: 5 V, ~100 mA · Size: 33.2 × 20.8 × 16.8 mm · Mounting: 24.3 × 12 mm Φ2.5 (same as MTF-01) · Weight: 8 g

The tight 1.5° beam also reads cleaner over uneven ground — one spot instead of a wide patch. Rated figures come from a 90%-reflectivity lab target; dark or vegetated ground shortens any rangefinder's reach.

Firmware & protocol

Select your firmware in the options above and the sensor arrives ready for it. Newer production units additionally auto-detect the flight controller's firmware on power-up; any unit can be switched at any time with the free MicoAssistant tool.

Which MTF sensor?

• MTF-01P (this one): longest range, best in sun and over dark surfaces
• MTF-01: best value for 3–5" builds, 8 m LED rangefinder
• MTF-02P: 1.5 g micro, outdoor-capable · MTF-02: 1 g micro, indoor only

Package list

• MTF-01P module × 1
• 15 cm SH1.0 4PIN–SH1.0 4PIN cable × 1 (for MicoAir 405/743 flight controllers)
• 20 cm SH1.0–MX1.25-6P cable × 1 (for Pixhawk 2.4.8)
• 20 cm SH1.0–GH1.25-6P cable × 1 (for Pixhawk 4/5/6)

Technical Support

Questions before or after your build? Email support@robofusion.net — we respond within 48 hours. First-line answers live at docs.robofusion.net.