Adafruit
Adafruit TLV493D Triple-Axis Magnetometer - STEMMA QT / Qwiic
The Adafruit TLV493D is a 3-axis magnetometer designed for detecting and tracking nearby magnets in three dimensions. Manufactured by Infineon, this sensor m...
Get notified when back in stock
The Adafruit TLV493D is a 3-axis magnetometer designed for detecting and tracking nearby magnets in three dimensions. Manufactured by Infineon, this sensor measures magnetic fields across the X, Y, and Z axes with 12-bit resolution — ideal for applications like DIY joysticks, position sensing, or detecting the movement of magnet-equipped objects.
The breakout board includes an onboard voltage regulator and logic level shifting for compatibility with both 3.3V and 5V microcontrollers. STEMMA QT / Qwiic connectors on both sides allow solderless I2C connections and easy daisy-chaining with other sensors. Arduino and CircuitPython/Python libraries are available for quick setup.
Key Features
- 3-Axis Magnetic Field Sensing – Measures Bx, By, and Bz linear fields up to ±130 mT
- 12-Bit Resolution – High-precision digital output for each measurement axis
- I2C Interface – Standard 2-wire I2C up to 1 Mbit/sec, shareable with other I2C devices
- Accurate Angle Sensing – Excellent X/Y measurement matching for precise angular detection
- Onboard Voltage Regulation – 3.3V regulator and level shifting for 3V or 5V microcontrollers, with a spare 3.3V output pin
- STEMMA QT / Qwiic Compatible – Solderless connectors for plug-and-play setup and daisy-chaining
Ideal For
- DIY joysticks and 3D position controllers
- Detecting magnet-equipped objects (lids, latches, moving parts)
- Rotary angle and position sensing
- Proximity detection with magnets
Package Contents
- 1× Adafruit TLV493D Triple-Axis Magnetometer Breakout
Resources
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- 12-bit resolution
- 12-bit resolution means a value is represented with 12 binary digits, giving 4096 possible levels. For a sensor, analogue-to-digital converter or similar device, higher resolution divides the measured range into finer steps so smaller changes can be distinguished, provided the device's range and noise allow it.
- 3.3V regulator
- A 3.3V regulator is a power circuit that provides a steady 3.3 volts for parts that need that supply voltage. On a breakout board, it can let the sensor run safely even when the connected microcontroller or power source uses a higher voltage.
- 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.
- CircuitPython
- A beginner-friendly version of Python designed to run directly on microcontroller boards. If a product supports CircuitPython, you can often program it by copying code files onto the board rather than setting up a more complex toolchain.
- 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.
- magnetometer
- A sensor that measures magnetic fields, often used to work out compass direction. It matters because nearby magnets, motors, or metal objects can affect readings and may require calibration.
- 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 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.
Find this product in
Brands
Sensors & Input
introducing adafruit stemma qt
Document · 1.5 MB · Click any page to view full size
Resources & Downloads
Guides, code examples, and more
Related Tutorials
Free guides on learn.littlebird.com.au
