MMA6555KCWR2

Motion Sensors - Accelerometers

An accelerometer is an electromechanical device used to measure acceleration forces. These forces may be static, like the constant force of gravity pulling at your feet, or they could be dynamic - caused by moving or vibrating the accelerometer. Conceptually, an accelerometer behaves as a damped mass on a spring. When the accelerometer experiences linear acceleration, the mass is displaced to the point that the spring is able to accelerate the mass, and the accelerometer measures this acceleration. On the other hand, when the accelerometer experiences angular rate or rotational acceleration, the mass is displaced in such a way that the spring cannot accelerate the mass, and the accelerometer measures this inertial force.

The MMA6555KCWR2 is a 3-axis micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometer designed specifically for industrial and automotive applications. It can measure linear acceleration up to ±3.6g, with a selectable full scale range of of +2g to +6g. The device includes a programmable parameter-adjusting accelerometer, which enables it to be accurately used for applications such as vehicular dynamic performance tracking, occupant detection and monitoring, vibration-based condition monitoring and control. The device also includes a shutdown mode and free-fall/wake-up function to prevent it from consuming power when not in use and conserve battery life in battery-powered applications.

The MMA6555KCWR2 accelerometer consists of three small sensors, each one measuring acceleration along its axis. This device is based on micromachined internal design technology, which allows for precise transduction of linear motions. In addition, a common-mode voltage source is used to set up a constant bias voltage, which speeds up transduction and ensures a high- common mode rejection ratio. This results in excellent output accuracy of the device.

In the MMA6555KCWR2 accelerometer, the accelerometer gain is programmed using two pins and an external resistor. Through this programming, a self-calibration mechanism is enabled, which makes it possible to tailor the output in accordance with the application\'s requirements. This individualized tuning of the accelerometer\'s parameters eliminates the need for board-level calibration, leading to shorter time-to-market and reduced design risk.

Moreover, the MMA6555KCWR2 accelerometer has a built-in temperature sensor to measure temperature readings for further compensation of the output. This provides more accurate readings and enables better accuracy over a wide range of temperatures. Additionally, the device features selectable digital and analog outputs, which eliminates the need for an external multiplexer and decreases the size of the circuit board.

The MMA6555KCWR2 accelerometer is a low-power device that enables precise low-noise attitude determination and motion tracking. It can also be used in medical, navigation and consumer applications. Its low power consumption, high accuracy, and its ability to sense movement in all directions render it an ideal solution for various types of accelerometer applications.