NXP Semiconductors MMA7360L

Overview

MMA7360L from Freescale Semiconductor is a low-power, 3-axis capacitive micromachined accelerometer with integrated signal conditioning, selectable ±1.5g/±6g ranges, 0g-detect for freefall protection, and sleep mode consuming only 3 μA. It delivers ratiometric analog outputs (XOUT/YOUT/ZOUT), features self-test and temperature compensation, and targets handheld battery-powered electronics requiring motion sensing and impact detection.

For engineers reviewing the MMA7360L datasheet, MMA7360L pinout, MMA7360L application, or MMA7360L equivalent, key selection criteria include its 14-pin LGA package, 800 mV/g sensitivity at ±1.5g range, 0.5 ms enable response time, 32 kΩ output impedance, and compatibility with 2.2–3.6 V supply rails in space-constrained portable designs.

Technical Context

The MMA7360L integrates a surface-micromachined polysilicon g-cell sensor with an ASIC containing switched-capacitor C-to-V conversion, a 1-pole low-pass filter (f_−3dB = 400 Hz XY / 300 Hz Z), and NVM-trimmed gain/offset calibration. Its ratiometric output scales linearly with VDD, enabling system-level cancellation of supply-induced ADC errors.

Control logic manages Sleep Mode (pin 7), g-Select (pin 10) for dual-range switching, Self Test (pin 13), and 0g-Detect (pin 9) - a digital open-drain output active when all axes measure near 0g. The device operates across −40°C to +85°C with factory-set zero-g offset and sensitivity requiring no external components.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 14-lead LGA (3 mm × 5 mm × 1.0 mm, Case 1935-01), RoHS-compliant, surface-mountable with solder-mask-defined footprint per AN3484.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar 3-axis analog-output accelerometer applications.

Compared with ADXL335 and KXSC7-2050, the MMA7360L uniquely combines analog outputs, hardware 0g-Detect, and sub-5 μA sleep in a 3×5 mm LGA - making it optimal for cost-sensitive, battery-limited systems needing immediate freefall response without MCU overhead.

Availability

MMA7360L is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for laptop freefall protection, smartphone motion dialing, pedometer step counting, and portable media player drop detection requiring stable component supply and long-term industrial availability.

Supply support for MMA7360L 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

Freescale Semiconductor (now part of NXP Semiconductors) was a leading designer of embedded processors, sensors, and analog ICs for automotive, industrial, and consumer applications.

The MMA7360L belongs to Freescale's MEMS accelerometer product line, engineered specifically for ultra-low-power motion sensing in portable electronics - emphasizing fast wake-up, factory-calibrated accuracy, and integrated safety features like 0g-Detect.

FAQ

What is the supply voltage range for stable operation of the MMA7360L?

The MMA7360L operates stably with a supply voltage between 2.2 V and 3.6 V. Within this range, the device maintains full calibration, including factory-trimmed zero-g offset and sensitivity. Operation below 2.2 V or above 3.6 V may yield linear output but is not guaranteed to meet datasheet specifications - always verify performance under actual board-level conditions for the MMA7360L.

How does the g-Select pin affect the MMA7360L's sensitivity and measurement range?

The g-Select pin (Pin 10) configures the MMA7360L's full-scale range: logic low selects ±1.5g with 800 mV/g sensitivity, while logic high selects ±6g with 206 mV/g sensitivity. This hardware-selectable dual-range capability allows one MMA7360L design to serve applications needing either high-resolution tilt sensing or wider dynamic range for impact detection - no firmware or external components required.

What is the function of the 0g-Detect output on the MMA7360L, and how is it used?

0g-Detect (Pin 9) is an open-drain digital output that asserts logic high when acceleration magnitude on all three axes falls within ±0.4 g - indicating near-weightless freefall. In systems using the MMA7360L, this signal typically connects to an MCU interrupt pin to trigger immediate protective actions like HDD head parking or screen lock, eliminating software polling latency and reducing power consumption.

Can the MMA7360L be used without external filtering components on its analog outputs?

Yes - the MMA7360L includes an integrated switched-capacitor low-pass filter (400 Hz XY / 300 Hz Z), so no external RC network is required for basic bandwidth limiting. However, Freescale recommends a 3.3 nF capacitor on each analog output (XOUT/YOUT/ZOUT) to suppress internal clock noise, especially when interfacing with high-impedance ADC inputs - this improves SNR without altering the filter cutoff.

What is the purpose of the Self Test pin on the MMA7360L, and how is it activated?

The Self Test pin (Pin 13) initiates an electrostatic deflection test that verifies both the MEMS g-cell mechanical integrity and the analog signal chain functionality. To activate it, apply a logic-high pulse (≥100 ns) to Pin 13; the MMA7360L then generates known output shifts (e.g., ~1g on Z-axis), allowing validation of solder joints, PCB routing, and downstream signal processing - critical for reliability-critical applications like HDD protection.