SparkFun Triple Axis Accelerometer Breakout - ADXL345

Jargon buster

Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.

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.

Gravity

Gravity is DFRobot’s plug-in connector system for sensors, motors and modules, using standard cables to reduce loose jumper wiring. It matters because Gravity-compatible parts can connect directly to these ports, while non-Gravity parts may need adapters or manual wiring.

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.

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.

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.

Power dissipation

Power dissipation is electrical energy being turned into heat inside a component. It matters because too much heat can reduce efficiency, affect reliability, or require a larger component or better cooling.

SPI

A fast serial communication bus often used for displays, memory cards, and sensors. It matters because SPI devices need specific pins for clock and data, plus a separate chip-select line for each device.