SparkFun Triple Axis Digital Accelerometer Breakout - ADXL313 (Qwiic)

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.

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.

oversampling

Taking many measurements and combining them to reduce noise and improve the stability of a reading. It matters when you want smoother current or power measurements, though it can make updates slower.

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.

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.

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.

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.