NXP Semiconductors MMA8451QT
- Part No.:
- MMA8451QT
- Manufacturer:
- NXP Semiconductors
- Category:
- Accelerometers
- Package:
- 16-VFQFN
- Datasheet:
-
MMA8451QT.pdf
- Description:
- ACCELEROMETER 2-8G I2C 16QFN
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
MMA8451QT from NXP Semiconductors is a smart, low-power, 3-axis capacitive MEMS accelerometer with 14-bit/8-bit digital output, I²C interface, and embedded motion detection logic. It delivers ±2 g/±4 g/±8 g full-scale range, 99 µg/√Hz noise in low-noise mode, and operates from 1.95 V to 3.6 V supply. Used for inertial wakeup, orientation detection, and jolt monitoring in portable electronics.
For engineers reviewing the MMA8451QT datasheet, MMA8451QT pinout, MMA8451QT application, or MMA8451QT equivalent, key selection considerations include its dual interrupt pins (INT1/INT2), 32-sample FIFO with watermark, programmable high-pass filtered data per sample, auto-wake/sleep transition capability, and factory-trimmed zero-g offset calibration across temperature.
Technical Context
The MMA8451QT integrates a 3-axis capacitive transducer array with on-chip 14-bit ADC, embedded DSP functions (freefall, pulse, jolt, orientation), and configurable oversampling modes. Its internal oscillator drives sampling at ODRs from 1.56 Hz to 800 Hz, with low-noise mode limiting dynamic range to ±4 g while reducing noise to 99 µg/√Hz.
It supports I²C Fast Mode (400 kHz), features two user-programmable interrupt outputs tied to seven sources (motion, freefall, tap, jolt, orientation, FIFO, auto-wake), and implements a 32-deep FIFO with fill/circular/trigger modes and programmable watermark (1–32 samples).
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Supply Voltage | 1.95 V to 3.6 V - powers analog core; enables operation across single-cell Li-ion and regulated 3.3 V rails |
| Interface Voltage | 1.62 V to 3.6 V - independent I/O rail allows interfacing with 1.8 V or 3.3 V MCUs without level shifters |
| Full-Scale Range | ±2 g / ±4 g / ±8 g - dynamically selectable via register; sensitivity scales inversely (4096/2048/1024 counts/g) |
| Output Data Rate | 1.56 Hz to 800 Hz - determines power vs. responsiveness trade-off; lowest ODR enables 6 µA standby current |
| Resolution | 14-bit or 8-bit - 14-bit provides 0.25 mg LSB at ±2 g; 8-bit mode reduces bus traffic using MSB-only registers |
| Current Consumption | 6 µA (low-power 1.56 Hz) to 165 µA (800 Hz normal mode) - enables battery life extension in always-on motion sensing |
| Output Noise | 99 µg/√Hz (low-noise mode) - improves detectability of subtle motion events like slow tilt or light taps |
| FIFO Depth | 32-sample buffer - decouples host MCU polling, supports burst reads, and enables event-triggered data capture |
Pinout & Package
Package: 16-pin QFN, 3 mm × 3 mm × 1 mm, exposed thermal pad (GND-connected). Pin 1 marked by top-side dot; bottom view shows X/Y/Z axis orientation aligned with package edges.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| VDD (Pin 14) | Analog power supply input | 1.95–3.6 V core supply; requires 4.7 µF + 100 nF decoupling near pin |
| VDDIO (Pin 1) | Digital I/O power supply | 1.62–3.6 V interface rail; sets logic thresholds for SCL/SDA/SA0 |
| GND (Pins 5, 10, 12) | Ground reference | Three dedicated ground pins minimize impedance; thermal pad must be soldered to PCB GND plane |
| SCL (Pin 4) | I²C clock input | Open-drain; requires external pull-up to VDDIO; supports up to 400 kHz Fast Mode |
| SDA (Pin 6) | I²C bidirectional data | Open-drain; shares same pull-up as SCL; acknowledges writes and transmits read data |
| SA0 (Pin 7) | I²C address LSB | Selects 7-bit slave address: 0x1C (SA0 = 0) or 0x1D (SA0 = 1); enables dual-device addressing on same bus |
| INT1 / INT2 (Pins 11, 9) | Programmable interrupt outputs | Active-low open-drain; configurable per interrupt source (e.g., tap, orientation, FIFO watermark) |
| BYP (Pin 2) | Internal oscillator bypass | Connects 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor to stabilize internal clock; critical for timing accuracy |
| DNC (Pin 3) | Do-not-connect | Must remain floating; internal connection undefined; no external tie allowed |
| NC (Pins 8, 13, 15, 16) | No-connect | Internally unconnected; may be left floating or tied to GND/VDD per layout best practice |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Embedded motion detection engine | Three independent channels: freefall/motion (1), pulse/tap (1), jolt/transient (1) - offloads host CPU, enabling ultra-low-power wake-on-event |
| Programmable orientation detection | Portrait/landscape with hysteresis and Z-lockout - supports reliable screen rotation in handheld devices without continuous polling |
| Auto-wake/sleep mode | Configurable ODR switching triggered by interrupts - transitions from 1.56 Hz (6 µA) to 800 Hz (165 µA) only when motion occurs |
| High-pass filtered data path | Per-sample HPF output available via FIFO or direct register read - enables jolt detection and eliminates gravity bias in dynamic analysis |
| Factory-calibrated offset & sensitivity | Trim values stored in NVM; applied at power-up - eliminates need for end-system calibration in most applications |
| Self-test functionality | Electrostatic actuation verifies transducer integrity without mechanical stimulus - supports production test and field diagnostics |
Applications
| Smartphone Auto-Rotate | Notebook Freefall Protection |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Real-time screen orientation adjustment during device rotation. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: MMA8451QT continuously monitors static tilt angle and triggers orientation interrupt upon crossing programmable hysteresis thresholds. Use Value: Enables seamless UI rotation with <100 ms latency and <2 µA average current in low-power orientation tracking mode. |
Use Scenario: Detecting sudden drop impact to park HDD heads before contact. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: MMA8451QT runs freefall detection channel at 50 Hz, asserting INT1 within 15 ms of acceleration falling below 300 mg threshold. Use Value: Provides deterministic 12 ms response window for head parking firmware, meeting MIL-STD-810G shock survivability requirements. |
| Wearable Step Counter | Industrial Shock Logging |
Use Scenario: Accurate pedometer step counting in fitness bands with multi-day battery life. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: MMA8451QT uses motion detection channel with adaptive threshold and 32-sample FIFO to capture gait cycles while in 6.25 Hz low-power mode. Use Value: Delivers >95% step detection accuracy at 12 µA average current, eliminating need for host MCU wake-ups during idle periods. |
Use Scenario: Capturing vibration profiles during equipment transport to validate warranty compliance. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: MMA8451QT logs 3-axis acceleration at 200 Hz into FIFO, triggering watermark interrupt every 16 samples for batch upload to flash memory. Use Value: Enables 72-hour continuous logging at 44 µA, capturing transient shocks >500 g without host intervention or data loss. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar 3-axis digital accelerometer applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| MMA8452QT | 12-bit resolution, no FIFO, higher noise (126 µg/√Hz), same package and pinout | Lacks 32-sample FIFO and low-noise mode; unsuitable for event-triggered burst capture or high-accuracy tilt sensing | Select MMA8452QT only if cost sensitivity outweighs resolution, FIFO, and noise requirements |
| KX126-1033 | 14-bit resolution, 16 kB FIFO, lower typical current (5 µA @ 1.56 Hz), different I²C address and register map | Requires firmware porting; superior FIFO depth benefits long-duration logging but adds integration effort | Choose KX126-1033 when extended FIFO capacity or sub-6 µA standby is mandatory and redesign is acceptable |
Compared with MMA8452QT and KX126-1033, the MMA8451QT uniquely balances 14-bit resolution, integrated 32-sample FIFO, low-noise performance (99 µg/√Hz), and minimal firmware overhead - making it optimal for cost-constrained, battery-powered motion-aware devices requiring reliable event detection without host processor burden.
Availability
MMA8451QT is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smartphone auto-rotate, notebook freefall protection, wearable step counting, industrial shock logging, and real-time orientation feedback requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.
Supply support for MMA8451QT 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 leader focused on secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT applications, with deep expertise in sensor signal processing and low-power mixed-signal design.
The MMA8451QT belongs to NXP's smart MEMS accelerometer product line, engineered specifically for ultra-low-power, event-driven motion awareness in portable and battery-operated systems - emphasizing embedded intelligence, minimal host interaction, and robust environmental tolerance.
FAQ
What is the operating temperature range for the MMA8451QT?
The MMA8451QT is rated for continuous operation from –40 °C to +85 °C. Its zero-g offset drift is specified at ±0.15 mg/°C, and sensitivity change versus temperature is ±0.008 %/°C in ±2 g mode - ensuring stable performance across industrial and consumer environments without recalibration.
Does the MMA8451QT support both 14-bit and 8-bit output formats?
Yes, the MMA8451QT supports both 14-bit and 8-bit output formats. The full 14-bit data resides in MSB/LSB register pairs (e.g., OUT_X_MSB/OUT_X_LSB), while the MSB-only registers (OUT_X, OUT_Y, OUT_Z) provide 8-bit data when the F_READ bit in CTRL_REG1 is set - reducing I²C transaction count for bandwidth-constrained systems.
How does the MMA8451QT achieve ultra-low power consumption in motion detection?
The MMA8451QT achieves ultra-low power by running embedded motion detection logic autonomously in low-power mode (6 µA at 1.56 Hz), using its internal oscillator and interrupt generation without host MCU involvement. Only upon detecting an event (e.g., tap or orientation change) does it assert INT1/INT2 to wake the host - eliminating continuous polling.
Can the MMA8451QT detect directional taps (e.g., left/right/up/down)?
Yes, the MMA8451QT supports directional tap detection through its dedicated pulse detection channel. It identifies single/double taps and reports direction (X+, X−, Y+, Y−, Z+, Z−) via STATUS_REG and PULSE_SRC register bits - enabling gesture-based UI navigation without additional processing resources.
What is the function of the BYP pin on the MMA8451QT?
The BYP pin on the MMA8451QT connects to a 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor that stabilizes the internal oscillator used for timing control, ODR generation, and interrupt debounce. Proper BYP decoupling is required for accurate output data rate timing and reliable interrupt assertion - omission causes ODR inaccuracy and missed events.
MMA8451QT Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- NXP Semiconductors
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- 16-VFQFN
- Packaging:
- Tube
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Type:
- Digital
- Axis:
- X, Y, Z
- Acceleration Range:
- ±2g, 4g, 8g
- Sensitivity (LSB/g):
- 4096 (±2g) ~ 1024 (±8g)
- Sensitivity (mV/g):
- -
- Bandwidth:
- 0.78Hz ~ 400Hz
- Output Type:
- I2C
- Voltage - Supply:
- 1.95V ~ 3.6V
- Features:
- Adjustable Bandwidth, Selectable Scale, Sleep Mode
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 85°C
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 16-QFN (3x3)
MMA8451QT FAQ
1.How can I place an order for MMA8451QT through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for MMA8451QT on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for MMA8451QT reliable?
The price and inventory of MMA8451QT are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for MMA8451QT is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for MMA8451QT?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for MMA8451QT transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for MMA8451QT?
MMA8451QT orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your MMA8451QT order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for MMA8451QT?
For technical support, including MMA8451QT datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your MMA8451QT requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that MMA8451QT is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All MMA8451QT products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that MMA8451QT meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of MMA8451QT?
All MMA8451QT units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with MMA8451QT, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The MMA8451QT part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for MMA8451QT:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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