MMA6823AKW

Motion Sensors - Accelerometers

The MMA6823AKW is a high performance 3-axis accelerometer, specifically designed for the demanding requirements of automotive applications. It uses advanced micromachined capacitive sensing technology and is substantially smaller than its rivals. The accelerometer features a wide range of power modes with fast wake up times, allowing it to provide accurate readings and extended battery life to the end user. The range of features offered by the MMA6823AKW makes it an ideal choice for applications such as airbag deployment, skid control, active suspension, ADAS and smart instrument clusters.

Application Field

The MMA6823AKW is most commonly used in automotive applications, where its fast wake up time and low power consumption make it an excellent choice for airbag sensors, active suspension, skid control, and ADAS. In the consumer electronics, the accelerometer can be used for applications such as gesture recognition, pedometers, game controllers, and navigation systems. For industrial applications, the MMA6823AKW can be used for impact and vibration sensing, industrial/machine control, and tilt sensing.

Working Principle

The MMA6823AKW operates by taking advantage of the electrostatic force of an applied capacitive voltage. A pair of metal plates are positioned on a cantilever beam surrounded by an analog multiplexer and driver circuit. When a voltage differential is applied across the two plates, an electrostatic force is created, which is inversely proportional to the distance between them. Because the plates are on a cantilever beam, the distance between them changes as the acceleration of the system changes. This, in turn, causes the electrostatic force to increase or decrease, depending on the direction of the acceleration. The device is calibrated to respond to a specific range of acceleration and when the force reaches the desired level, an interrupt signal is sent to the microcontroller, alerting it to the change.

The MMA6823AKW can detect acceleration across three axes, meaning it can detect linear acceleration in any direction. This allows it to be used in many different applications where a response to linear acceleration is required. It has dynamic ranges of ±2/4/8/16g, with a detection threshold configurable to as low as 32uG, and is available in both I2C and SPI communication options.

Conclusion

The MMA6823AKW is an advanced 3-axis accelerometer, specifically designed for demanding automotive applications. With its low power consumption and fast response times, it has become an ideal choice for applications such as airbag deployment, skid control, active suspension, ADAS and smart instrument clusters. The working principle of the device relies on the electrostatic force created by a capacitive voltage, which is used to detect linear acceleration across three axes. With its wide range of dynamic ranges and detection thresholds, the MMA6823AKW is a robust and reliable solution for a variety of motion sensing applications.