note: due to the discontinuation of the MMA7260QT chip, we redesigned a new version of the 3-axis accelerometer.

The 3-axis accelerometer module carries an MMA7260QT chip from Freescale. The MMA7260QT operates in 4 selectable sensitivity modes, +/- 1.5g, 2g, 4g, and 6g. It also offers a 1-pole low pass filter as well as temperature compensation. Furthermore, the MMA7260QT has a Sleep Mode function, ideal for use in portable, battery powered devices.

The accelerometer operates between 2.2 and 3.6V. Because of the low-voltage chips that have been damaged by 5V standard Arduino outputs, this board is equipped with built-in 5V tolerance protection.

The 3-axis accelerometer module comes as a kit with two 4-pin male headers, and is especially handy for determining sensitive changes in orientation.

Applications

• Laptop PC: Freefall Detection
• Cell Phone: Image Stability, Text Scrolling, Motion Dialing, E-Compass
• Pedometer: Motion Sensing
• Portable Handheld: Text Scrolling
• Navigation and Dead Reckoning: E-Compass Tilt Compensation
• Gaming: Tilt and Motion Sensing, Event Recorder
• Robotics: Motion Sensing

Specifications

• Built-in 5V tolerance protection
• Selectable Sensitivity (1.5g/2g/4g/6g)
• Low Current Consumption: 500 μA
• Sleep Mode: 3 μA
• Low Voltage Operation: 2.2 V – 3.6 V
• High Sensitivity (800 mV/g @ 1.5g)

Resources

• Datasheet
• Code

Link to the cheatsheet as a PDF...

Source Code

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

  int x0;
  int y0;
  int z0;

void loop () {
  x0 = analogRead(0);
  y0 = analogRead(1);
  z0 = analogRead(2);
 
  Serial.print(x0);
  delay(5);
  Serial.print(" : ");
  delay(5);
  Serial.print(y0);
  delay(5);
  Serial.print(" : ");
  delay(5);
  Serial.println(z0);
  delay(5);
}