NXP Semiconductors FRDMSTBC-P3115

Overview

FRDMSTBC-P3115 from NXP Semiconductors is an evaluation board designed to demonstrate and accelerate development with the MPL3115A2 I²C precision pressure/altitude/temperature sensor IC. It provides direct access to all 8 pins of the MPL3115A2 in LGA-8 package, supports 1.95–3.6 V VDD and 1.62–3.6 V VDDIO operation, delivers 0.0625 m altitude resolution and ±0.4 kPa absolute pressure accuracy over 50–110 kPa, and enables rapid prototyping for altimetry, barometry, and environmental sensing applications.

For engineers reviewing the FRDMSTBC-P3115 datasheet, FRDMSTBC-P3115 pinout, FRDMSTBC-P3115 application, or FRDMSTBC-P3115 equivalent, this board simplifies sensor integration, validates I²C communication at up to 400 kHz, verifies interrupt-driven data acquisition using INT1/INT2, and confirms FIFO-based data logging capability with programmable 1-second to 9-hour sampling intervals.

Technical Context

The FRDMSTBC-P3115 implements the MPL3115A2 sensor in a fully populated, ready-to-use evaluation platform with on-board 100 nF + 10 µF decoupling capacitors, pull-up resistors for SCL/SDL, and configurable interrupt outputs. It exposes the sensor's dual-mode operation (barometer/altimeter), 32-sample FIFO buffer, and autonomous acquisition modes via accessible test points and jumper-selectable logic levels.

Hardware design follows NXP's recommended layout: VDD decoupling placed adjacent to Pin 1, CAP pin (Pin 2) left unpopulated per datasheet guidance, and optical port protected from ambient light exposure. The board supports both polling and interrupt-driven firmware workflows, with INT1 and INT2 routed to Arduino-compatible headers for direct MCU GPIO connection.

Key Specifications

Availability

FRDMSTBC-P3115 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial environmental monitoring, wearable altitude tracking, and IoT weather station development requiring stable component supply, full technical documentation, and long-term design-in support.

Supply support for FRDMSTBC-P3115 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

NXP Semiconductors is a global semiconductor company headquartered in Eindhoven, Netherlands, specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT applications.

The FRDMSTBC-P3115 belongs to NXP's Freedom Development Platform family, engineered to accelerate sensor-based embedded system validation, reduce time-to-proof-of-concept, and provide production-ready reference hardware for pressure, temperature, and altitude sensing subsystems.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the FRDMSTBC-P3115 evaluation board?

The FRDMSTBC-P3115 evaluation board is a hardware platform designed exclusively to evaluate and prototype with the MPL3115A2 pressure/altitude/temperature sensor IC. It provides electrical connectivity, power conditioning, I²C interface routing, and interrupt signal access - enabling engineers to validate sensor performance, develop firmware drivers, and integrate altitude/barometric functionality into end systems without custom PCB design. FRDMSTBC-P3115 does not contain additional processing or wireless capabilities.

Does the FRDMSTBC-P3115 include the MPL3115A2 sensor IC pre-soldered?

Yes, the FRDMSTBC-P3115 comes with the MPL3115A2 sensor IC fully assembled in its native 3 × 5 × 1.1 mm LGA-8 package. All eight pins are electrically accessible via plated-through holes and labeled test points, and the board includes required decoupling capacitors (100 nF ceramic + 10 µF bulk) placed per NXP's layout recommendations. FRDMSTBC-P3115 requires no component assembly prior to use.

Can the FRDMSTBC-P3115 operate with a 3.3 V microcontroller system?

Yes, the FRDMSTBC-P3115 is fully compatible with 3.3 V microcontroller systems. Its VDDIO supply accepts 1.62–3.6 V, matching standard 3.3 V I/O domains, and its SCL/SDL lines feature onboard 4.7 kΩ pull-up resistors referenced to VDDIO. No external level shifters are needed. FRDMSTBC-P3115 also supports 2.8 V and 1.8 V digital interfaces when VDDIO is configured accordingly.

How do I configure the FRDMSTBC-P3115 for altimeter versus barometer mode?

Altimeter or barometer mode is configured entirely in firmware by writing to the MPL3115A2's CTRL_REG1 register (address 0x26) on the FRDMSTBC-P3115. Setting bit 7 = 1 selects altimeter mode; clearing it selects barometer mode. Both modes deliver simultaneous pressure (Pa), temperature (°C), and - in altimeter mode - altitude (m) outputs. FRDMSTBC-P3115 provides no hardware jumpers for mode selection; configuration is software-defined via I²C commands.

Is the FRDMSTBC-P3115 compatible with Arduino or mbed platforms?

Yes, the FRDMSTBC-P3115 features Arduino Uno R3 pin-compatible headers for power (3.3 V, GND), I²C (SCL/SDL), and interrupt signals (INT1, INT2), enabling plug-and-play integration with Arduino Due, Teensy, and other 3.3 V–compatible boards. NXP provides mbed OS libraries and Kinetis SDK examples specifically validated on FRDMSTBC-P3115, including FIFO read, interrupt handling, and altitude conversion routines.