SparkFun
3-Axis MEMS Accelerometer - MMA8452Q
The MMA8452Q is a low-power, 3-axis capacitive MEMS accelerometer with 12-bit resolution. Packed with embedded motion-detection functions and configurable in...
The MMA8452Q is a low-power, 3-axis capacitive MEMS accelerometer with 12-bit resolution. Packed with embedded motion-detection functions and configurable interrupt outputs, it can monitor events autonomously while staying in a low-power state — reducing the need for the host processor to continuously poll data.
User-selectable full-scale ranges of ±2g, ±4g, and ±8g are available with both high-pass filtered and unfiltered data in real time. This is the bare IC in a QFN package — a breakout board or custom PCB is required for use.
Key Features
- 12-Bit Resolution – Also supports 8-bit output for faster reads
- Selectable Range – ±2g, ±4g, or ±8g full-scale
- I2C Interface – Up to 2.25 MHz with 4.7 kΩ pull-ups
- Two Programmable Interrupt Pins – Six configurable interrupt sources
- Embedded Motion Detection – Three channels, plus portrait/landscape orientation with hysteresis
- Ultra-Low Power – 6 µA to 165 µA current consumption
- Output Data Rates – 1.56 Hz to 800 Hz
- Real-Time High-Pass Filter – Filtered data available alongside raw output
Specifications
- Sensor IC: MMA8452Q
- Package: 3 × 3 × 1 mm QFN
- Supply Voltage: 1.95–3.6 V
- Interface Voltage: 1.6–3.6 V
- Interface: I2C
- Current Consumption: 6–165 µA
Ideal For
- Low-power motion and orientation sensing
- Wearable and portable device designs
- Inertial wake-up and tap detection applications
- Custom PCB designs requiring a compact accelerometer
Package Contents
- 1× MMA8452Q Accelerometer IC (QFN package)
Resources
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- 12-bit resolution
- 12-bit resolution means the sensor’s measurement is divided into 4096 possible digital values. Higher resolution can make small changes in motion or tilt easier to detect, as long as the sensor range and noise are suitable for the project.
- breakout
- A breakout is a small circuit board that makes a tiny or hard-to-solder component easier to connect to with standard pins. It matters because this OLED module can be wired into a microcontroller project without needing to solder directly to the display’s fine contacts.
- I2C
- I2C is a two-wire communication bus used by many sensors and small modules. It matters because several I2C devices can share the same two wires, but each device needs a compatible address and your controller must support I2C.
- MEMS accelerometer
- A tiny motion sensor made using micro-electromechanical systems technology that measures acceleration and tilt. In a compass module, it helps correct the heading when the board is not perfectly flat.
- Motion detection
- A camera feature that checks the image for changes that suggest something has moved. It matters because your project can use movement as a trigger instead of constantly saving or processing every frame.
- PCB
- A printed circuit board is a rigid board with copper tracks that connect electronic parts without loose wires. For this kit, the PCBs also form the airplane shape, so they are both the circuit base and part of the finished model.
- UPS
- An uninterruptible power supply is a battery-backed power system that keeps a device running when external power is unplugged or fails. For an embedded computer, it helps prevent sudden shutdowns that can corrupt files or interrupt a project.
Find this product in
Brands
Sensors & Input
Mma8452 Q
Datasheet · 403.0 KB · Click any page to view full size
Supplier page — sparkfun.com
Supplier Description · 473.2 KB · Click any page to view full size
Resources & Downloads
Guides, code examples, and more
Related Tutorials
Free guides on learn.littlebird.com.au
