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Mfr Part # 103030356
SEEED STUDIO EXPANSION BASE XIAO
Seeed Technology Co., Ltd
Seeeduino XIAO Expansion Board Ultrasonic Distance Sensor With Sound
1
2026-05-07 | By Ron Cutts
License: GNU Lesser General Public License Distance Microcontrollers Arduino ESP32 XIAO
In this tutorial, we are going to explore how to measure a distance using a Seeeduino XIAO expansion board and an ultrasonic range sensor.
Watch the video!
Learn more about Visuino: What is Visuino
What You Will Need
Visuino program: Download Visuino
About Seeeduino XIAO
Powerful CPU: ARM® Cortex®-M0+ 32-bit 48MHz microcontroller (SAMD21G18) with 256KB Flash and 32KB SRAM
Flexible compatibility: Compatible with Visuino & Arduino IDE
Easy project operation: Breadboard-friendly
Small size: As small as a thumb (20x17.5 mm) for wearable devices and small projects.
Multiple development interfaces: 11 digital/analog pins, 10 PWM pins, 1 DAC output, 1 SWD bonding pad interface, 1 I2C interface, 1 UART interface, and 1 SPI interface.
Typical Application
Wearable devices
Rapid prototyping (directly attached to the expanded PCB as a minimal system), perfect for all projects that need a mini Arduino
DIY keyboard
USB development (USB to multi-channel TTL/USB host mode, etc.)
A scenario where you need to read multiple mock values, the DAC output
The Circuit
Place the Seeeduino XIAO on the Expansion board
Connect the ultrasonic sensor pin [VCC] to the Expansion board pin [5V]
Connect the ultrasonic sensor pin [GND] to the Expansion board pin [GND]
Connect the ultrasonic sensor pin [Trig] to the Expansion board digital pin [0]
Connect the ultrasonic sensor pin [ECHO] to the Expansion board digital pin [1]
Start Visuino, and Select the Seeeduino XIAO Board Type
The Visuino: https://www.visuino.eu also needs to be installed. Download the free version or register for a free trial.
Start Visuino as shown in the first picture. Click on the "Tools" button on the Arduino component (Picture 1) in Visuino. When the dialog appears, select "Seeeduino XIAO" as shown in Picture 2
In Visuino Add, Set & Connect Components
Add "Ultrasonic Ranger" component
Add "Analog Multi Source" component
Add "OLED I2C" component
Add "Compare Analog Value" component
Add "Play Frequency Tone" component
Select "AnalogMultiSource1" and in the Properties window set "Output Pins" to 3
Select "CompareValue1" and in the Properties window, set "Compare Type" to ctSmaller and "Value" to 5
This means that the Piezo will beep if the distance is less than 5cm
Select "PlayFrequency1" and in the Properties window select "Enabled" and click on the Pin Icon and select "Boolean SinkPin" and set "Initial Frequency (Hz)" to 15
Double-click on the "DisplayOLED1" and in the "Elements" window:
Drag "Draw Text" to the left, & in the properties window set "Size" to 2 and "Text" to Distance
Drag "Text Field" to the left, & in the properties window set "Size" to 3 and "Y" to 30
Close the "Elements" window
Connect "Seeeduino XIAO" Digital pin [1] to "UltrasonicRanger1" pin [Echo]
Connect "UltrasonicRanger1" pin[Ping] to "Seeeduino XIAO" Digital pin [0]
Connect "UltrasonicRanger1" pin[Out] to "AnalogMultiSource1" pin [In]
Connect "AnalogMultiSource1" pin [0] to "CompareValue1" pin[In]
Connect "AnalogMultiSource1" pin [1] to "DisplayOLED1" > "Text Field1" pin [In]
Connect "AnalogMultiSource1" pin [2] to "DisplayOLED1" > "Text Field1" pin [Clock]
Connect "CompareValue1" pin [Out] to "PlayFrequency1" pin [Enabled"
Connect "PlayFrequency1" pin [Out] to "Seeeduino XIAO" Digital pin [3]
Connect "DisplayOLED1" I2C Pin [Out] to "Seeeduino XIAO" I2C Pin [In]"
Generate, Compile, and Upload the Arduino Code
In Visuino, at the bottom, click on the "Build" tab, make sure the correct port is selected, then click on the "Compile/Build and Upload" button.
Play
If you power the Seeeduino XIAO module, the display will start to show the ultrasonic distance of the objects. If the object is closer than 5 cm, a piezo will start to beep.
Congratulations! You have completed your project with Visuino. Also attached is the Visuino project that I created for this tutorial. You can download it and open it in Visuino: https://www.visuino.eu
Troubleshooting
If Port is not detected in Visuino when you try to upload the code, do a reset.
Quickly press the "Reset" button 2X on the XIAO expansion board.
Downloads
Have questions or comments? Continue the conversation on TechForum, DigiKey's online community and technical resource.
