SmartElex MPL3115A2 Altitude Pressure Sensor Breakout Board

Overview

The SmartElex MPL3115A2 Breakout Board is a high-precision barometric pressure and altitude sensor module based on the MPL3115A2 MEMS sensor.

• Measures:

  • Barometric pressure

  • Altitude

  • Temperature

   

• Provides fully calibrated digital output via I2C

• Designed for precision environmental and altitude sensing

Commonly used in drones, weather stations, navigation, and IoT systems

Working Principle

• Uses MEMS pressure sensing technology

• Internal process:

  • Pressure mechanical deformation

  • Converted to electrical signal

  • Processed by 24-bit ADC

   

• On-chip compensation:

  • Temperature compensation

  • Pressure lineariz Outputs direct altitude or pressure data (no external calculations needed)

    Measurement Characteristics

    Pressure

    • Resolution: 20-bit

    • High precision: fractions of Pascal

    • Typical accuracy: 0.05 kPa

     

    Altitude

    • Resolution: up to 30 cm (0.3 m)

    • Accuracy: 0.3 m (typical)

     

    Temperature

    • Resolution: 12-bit

    • Used for internal compensation + ambient measurement

     

    Electrical Characteristics

    • Operating Voltage: 1.95V 3.6V

    • Digital Interface Voltage: 1.6V 3.6V

    • Low power consumption suitable for embedded systems

     

    3.3V device (level shifting needed for 5V systems)

    Communication Interface

    • Protocol: I2C

    • Speed: up to 400 kHz

     

    Digital output simplifies microcontroller integration

    Internal Architecture

    • MEMS pressure sensor

    • 24-bit ADC

    • Temperature sensor

    • Digital signal processor

    • Compensation & calibration memory

     

    Functional Features

    Multi-Measurement Modes

    • Pressure mode

    • Altimeter mode

    • Temperature output

     

    Advanced Features

    • Programmable event detection

    • Autonomous data acquisition

    • 32-sample FIFO buffer

     

    Data Logging

    • Sampling interval:

      • 1 second to 9 hours

       

    • Can log data for up to ~12 days using FIFO

     

    Breakout Board Features

    • 0.1 (2.54 mm) header pins ponents

    • Compact and easy-to-integrate design

     

    Performance Characteristics

    • High sensitivity to small pressure changes

    • Detects altitude changes as small as 30 cm

    • Fully calibrated digital output

    • Stable long-term performance

     

    Functional Behavior

    • Can operate in:

      • Altimeter mode (direct altitude output)

      • Barometer mode (pressure output)

       

    • Internal processing:

      • Converts pressure altitude automatically

       

     

    Reduces computation load on MCU

    Key Technical Features

    • 3-in-1 sensing (Pressure + Altitude + Temperature)

    • 24-bit high-resolution ADC

    • 20-bit pressure & altitude output

    • I2C digital interface

    • FIFO data logging

    • Autonomous measurement capability

    • High accuracy (30 cm altitude resoluti

    • Direct altitude output (no conversion needed)

    • High precision and resolution

    • Low power consumption

    • Easy I2C integration

    • Suitable for embedded and IoT systems

     

    Limitations

    • Limited to ~12,000 m altitude range (approx.)

    • Sensitive to:

      • Temperature changes

      • Air pressure fluctuations

       

    • Requires calibration for best accuracy in real-world conditions

     

    Applications

    • Drones and UAV altitude control

    • Weather monitoring systems

    • Indoor navigation

    • GPS enhancement systems

    • Altimeters and wearable devices

    • Environmental monitoring

     

    Technical Summary

    The MPL3115A2 breakout is a precision digital barometric sensor that:

    • Converts pressure altitude directly

    • Provides high-resolution environmental data

     

    It is best suited for:

    • Altitude measurement systems

    • Weather and environmental monitoring

    • Navigation and IoT applications</