Adafruit
Adafruit MSA311 Triple Axis Accelerometer - STEMMA QT / Qwiic
The Adafruit MSA311 is a compact, low-cost triple-axis accelerometer with 14-bit resolution and a rich set of built-in motion detection features. Very simila...
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The Adafruit MSA311 is a compact, low-cost triple-axis accelerometer with 14-bit resolution and a rich set of built-in motion detection features. Very similar to the MSA301 but with an updated I2C address (0x62 instead of 0x26), it includes tap/double-tap detection, orientation sensing, freefall detection, and configurable data rates from 1 Hz to 500 Hz.
Communicating over I2C, the MSA311 draws as little as 2 µA in low-power mode — ideal for battery-powered projects. The breakout includes a 3.3 V regulator and level shifting for compatibility with both 3.3 V and 5 V systems, plus STEMMA QT / Qwiic connectors for solderless wiring.
Key Features
- 3-Axis Accelerometer – 14-bit resolution with ±2g/±4g/±8g/±16g selectable range
- Motion Detection – Tap, double-tap, orientation, and freefall detection built in
- Configurable Data Rate – 1 Hz to 500 Hz output options
- Ultra-Low Power – As low as 2 µA in low-power mode (sensor only)
- Interrupt Output – Hardware interrupt pin for event-driven sensing
- I2C Interface – Fixed address 0x62, with address selection pin for two sensors on one bus
- STEMMA QT / Qwiic Connectors – Solderless I2C connection (cable not included)
- 3.3 V and 5 V Compatible – On-board regulator and level shifting
- Mounting Holes – Four holes for secure attachment
Ideal For
- Motion and gesture detection
- Tilt and orientation sensing
- Wearable electronics and activity tracking
- Battery-powered projects requiring low-current accelerometry
Package Contents
- 1× Adafruit MSA311 Triple Axis Accelerometer Breakout (assembled)
- 1× Header strip
Resources
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- breakout
- A breakout board carries a small or fine-pitched component and brings its connections out to standard, breadboard- and header-friendly pins. Describing a part as a breakout means it can be wired into a project without soldering directly to the component's tiny 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.
- I2C address
- An I2C address is the number a device uses so a microcontroller can tell it apart from other devices on the same I2C bus. It matters because two devices with the same fixed address may conflict if used together.
- Motion detection
- The ability to sense that something has moved, either by comparing successive camera frames or by using a dedicated sensor such as a PIR (infrared) or radar module. When a product lists motion detection, movement can be used as a trigger so a system only acts or records when there is activity rather than running continuously.
- Qwiic
- Qwiic is a plug-in connector system for I2C devices that uses small 4-pin cables, so you can connect compatible sensors without soldering. It matters because your controller or adapter also needs Qwiic, or you will need a cable or breakout to wire it up.
- STEMMA
- A plug-and-cable connection system used on some maker electronics boards to make wiring simpler. If a product uses STEMMA, you need the matching cable or connector type to plug it in without soldering.
- STEMMA QT
- A small plug-in connector system for I2C boards that lets you connect compatible sensors and controllers without soldering. It matters because it can make wiring faster and less error-prone, especially when adding several small modules to a project.
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introducing adafruit stemma qt
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