NXP Semiconductors MPL115A2T1

Overview

MPL115A2T1 from NXP Semiconductors is a miniature I²C digital barometric pressure sensor in an LGA-8 package, delivering absolute pressure measurements from 50 kPa to 115 kPa with ±1 kPa accuracy over –40 °C to +105 °C. It integrates a MEMS pressure sensor, temperature sensor, and 10-bit ADC, requiring host-based compensation using factory-stored calibration coefficients. It targets portable electronics, altimeters, and weather stations where space, power, and precision are critical.

For engineers reviewing the MPL115A2T1 datasheet, MPL115A2T1 pinout, MPL115A2T1 application, or MPL115A2T1 equivalent, key selection considerations include its 5 × 3 × 1.2 mm LGA package, 5 μA active current, 7-bit I²C address (0x60), 400 kHz I²C interface, and requirement for host-side pressure compensation using a0/b1/b2/c12 coefficients.

Technical Context

The MPL115A2T1 implements a two-stage measurement flow: first reading factory-trimmed 16-bit calibration coefficients (a0, b1, b2, c12) via I²C, then executing a START CONVERT command to acquire raw 10-bit pressure (Padc) and temperature (Tadc) ADC values. Compensation is performed externally by the host microcontroller using a fixed-point polynomial: Pcomp = a0 + (b1 + c12×Tadc)×Padc + b2×Tadc.

Its I²C interface operates at up to 400 kHz with standard 7-bit addressing (0x60), pull-up resistors required on SDA/SCL, and supports memory-mapped register access-including coefficient storage (0x04–0x0B), conversion trigger (0x12), and ADC output registers (0x00–0x03). The SHDN pin enables <1 μA shutdown mode, and RST disables I²C communication when asserted low.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: LGA-8 (3.0 × 5.0 × 1.2 mm, SOT1769-1), RoHS-compliant surface-mount package with exposed cavity for pressure sensing. Pin 1 index area marked on top surface.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar absolute pressure sensing applications.

Compared with BMP280TR and MS5637-02BA03, the MPL115A2T1 trades integrated computation and resolution for lower system cost, smaller footprint, and explicit hardware shutdown-making it optimal for cost-sensitive, battery-constrained designs where host MCU resources are available for compensation math.

Availability

MPL115A2T1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable altimeters, weather stations, HDD environmental compensation, and industrial air control systems requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.

Supply support for MPL115A2T1 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 MPL115A2T1 belongs to NXP's MEMS pressure sensor family, designed specifically for compact, low-power barometric measurement in space-constrained portable and industrial systems where host-based calibration flexibility is valued.

FAQ

What is the required external capacitor for the CAP pin on the MPL115A2T1?

The MPL115A2T1 requires a 1 μF ceramic capacitor connected between the CAP pin and GND. This capacitor stabilizes the internal voltage reference and is mandatory to achieve the specified ±1 kPa accuracy. Placement must follow NXP's layout guidelines-short traces, low-inductance connection, and avoidance of routing near noisy signals or switching regulators. Omitting or undersizing this capacitor degrades linearity and increases measurement drift.

Does the MPL115A2T1 provide compensated pressure output directly, or does it require host processing?

The MPL115A2T1 provides only raw 10-bit pressure (Padc) and temperature (Tadc) ADC outputs. Compensated absolute pressure must be calculated externally by the host microcontroller using the device's unique factory-stored coefficients (a0, b1, b2, c12) and the documented fixed-point polynomial. No on-chip compensation engine is present-this architecture reduces die size and cost while shifting computational responsibility to the system MCU.

What is the function of the SHDN pin on the MPL115A2T1, and what happens during shutdown?

The SHDN pin on the MPL115A2T1 controls hardware shutdown mode: pulling it low disables all internal circuits, reducing supply current to ≤1 μA. In shutdown, the Pressure and Temperature ADC registers reset, I²C pins (SDA/SCL/RST) enter high-impedance state, and no communication is possible. Wake-up requires releasing SHDN high and waiting ≤5 ms before issuing commands. This feature is essential for extending battery life in intermittently active applications like wearable altimeters.

Can the MPL115A2T1 be used in applications requiring pressure measurement below 50 kPa or above 115 kPa?

No-the MPL115A2T1 is specified and calibrated exclusively for the 50 kPa to 115 kPa absolute pressure range. Operation outside this range may yield non-monotonic or undefined output, and accuracy is not guaranteed. For sub-50 kPa applications (e.g., vacuum monitoring), alternative sensors such as the MPX5700 series or Honeywell ASDX series should be evaluated. The MPL115A2T1's MEMS diaphragm and signal chain are optimized for atmospheric and near-atmospheric conditions only.

How is the I²C address configured for the MPL115A2T1, and are there address options?

The MPL115A2T1 uses a fixed 7-bit I²C address of 0x60 (1100000b), with no hardware address pins or configuration options. The read address is 0xC1 and write address is 0xC0. This static addressing simplifies system integration but requires careful bus arbitration in multi-device I²C systems. No alternate addresses or address-select resistors are supported-designers must ensure no other device on the same bus uses 0x60 to avoid conflicts.