DFRobot Fermion BMI323 6DOF IMU Sensor

Jargon buster

Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.

ADC

An analogue-to-digital converter reads a changing voltage and turns it into a number the microcontroller can use. It matters when connecting analogue sensors such as light, sound, or variable-resistor sensors.

BMI323

The BMI323 is a Bosch inertial measurement unit (IMU) that combines a 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope in one chip. The part number indicates the available motion-sensing features, measurement ranges, data rates, power modes and software support.

DC

DC means direct current, where electricity flows in one constant direction, as supplied by batteries, USB ports and many plug-pack power supplies. When a product specifies DC, it runs from a DC supply rather than mains AC, so you need to provide the correct voltage and polarity.

ESP32

ESP32 is a family of low-cost microcontroller chips and modules from Espressif with built-in WiFi and Bluetooth. They support programmable firmware and over-the-air updates, and are commonly programmed with toolchains such as the Arduino core and ESP-IDF.

FIFO

FIFO stands for "first in, first out", a way of handling stored items so the oldest one is read out first, like a queue. In electronics a FIFO is usually a small buffer that temporarily holds data, such as sensor samples or serial bytes, so a processor can collect it in batches instead of reading continuously.

Gyroscope

A gyroscope measures rotation, such as how fast a board is turning around its X, Y, and Z axes. This matters for projects like gesture controls, balancing robots, and motion tracking where tilt or rotation changes need to be detected.

IoT

Short for Internet of Things, meaning physical devices that connect to networks or the internet to send data or be controlled remotely. It matters if you want projects such as connected sensors, remote controls or classroom data-logging activities.

LSB

Least significant bit (LSB) is the lowest-order bit in a binary number, the bit that some serial protocols send first or last. In analogue-to-digital and digital-to-analogue converters, one LSB also means the smallest step the device can resolve, equal to its full-scale range divided by the number of steps.

microcontroller

A microcontroller is a small computer on a single chip that runs a stored program and controls connected inputs and outputs such as buttons, sensors, displays and communication interfaces. In a device built around one, it is the part that executes the code and coordinates the device's behaviour.

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.

ODR

ODR means output data rate: how often the sensor produces a new measurement. A higher ODR can capture faster motion or vibration, but it usually uses more power and creates more data for the microcontroller to handle.

PCB

A printed circuit board (PCB) is a board, usually rigid, with etched copper tracks that connect electronic components together without loose wiring. Components are mounted on the board and signals route between them through the copper layout.

SH1.0-5P connector

SH1.0-5P is a small 5-pin cable connector with 1.0 mm pin spacing. It matters because you need the matching cable or socket to plug the sensor in without soldering, especially in compact projects.

zero-g offset

Zero-g offset is the small acceleration reading an accelerometer may show even when that axis should read 0 g. It matters because this error can affect tilt and motion measurements unless your software calibrates or compensates for it.

zero-rate offset

Zero-rate offset is the small rotation reading a gyroscope may show even when it is not turning. It matters because this drift can build up over time in motion-tracking projects if it is not calibrated or filtered.