STMicroelectronics STEVAL-MKI137V1

Overview

STEVAL-MKI137V1 from STMicroelectronics is a MEMS magnetometer adapter board designed to interface the LIS3MDL 3-axis digital magnetic sensor with standard DIL-24 sockets and STEVAL-MKI109V2/V3 evaluation motherboards. It provides full LIS3MDL pinout access, onboard 10 µF and 100 nF decoupling capacitors, and RoHS-compliant PCB layout for rapid prototyping of compassing and orientation-sensing applications.

For engineers reviewing the STEVAL-MKI137V1 datasheet, STEVAL-MKI137V1 pinout, STEVAL-MKI137V1 application, or STEVAL-MKI137V1 equivalent, this adapter enables direct integration with ST's Unico GUI and custom firmware via I²C/SPI bridge microcontroller on supported motherboards - critical for validating sensor output linearity, offset stability, and interface timing in embedded navigation systems.

Technical Context

The board implements passive signal routing only - no active logic or level-shifting circuitry - preserving native LIS3MDL electrical behavior including 1.9–3.6 V VDD operation, 1.8 V VDD_IO compatibility, and dual-mode (I²C/SPI) communication. All 12 LIS3MDL pins are exposed via 24-pin DIL footprint with dedicated CS, SDO, DRDY, INT1, SCL, and SDA terminals.

Designed exclusively as a mechanical and electrical breakout, it supports both 3-wire SPI (with CS/SDO/SCL/SDA) and standard I²C (SCL/SDA) protocols without protocol translation or clock buffering, ensuring bit-accurate register access and interrupt fidelity during sensor characterization.

Key Specifications

Availability

STEVAL-MKI137V1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for embedded navigation prototyping, industrial tilt-compensated compass calibration, and consumer electronics motion-sensing validation requiring stable component supply and documented ST reference design traceability.

Supply support for STEVAL-MKI137V1 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

STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, delivering silicon solutions for automotive, industrial, and consumer markets with emphasis on sensor, MCU, and power technologies.

This adapter belongs to ST's STEVAL (ST Evaluation) platform - purpose-built to accelerate MEMS sensor evaluation by providing standardized mechanical interfaces, validated signal integrity paths, and seamless integration with ST's ecosystem tools like Unico GUI and STM32-based bridge boards.

FAQ

Does STEVAL-MKI137V1 include the LIS3MDL sensor IC?

No. The board is a passive adapter only - it does not contain the LIS3MDL magnetometer IC. Users must source and mount the LIS3MDL separately onto the DIL-24 socket. The board provides all necessary power filtering, pin breakout, and interface routing to connect the sensor to STEVAL-MKI109V2/V3 motherboards.

Which communication protocols does STEVAL-MKI137V1 support?

It supports both I²C and SPI protocols as implemented by the LIS3MDL. Pin assignments follow LIS3MDL datasheet definitions: SCL/SDA for I²C; CS/SDO/SCL/SDA for SPI. No protocol conversion or voltage translation is performed - signals pass through unchanged to the host motherboard.

Can STEVAL-MKI137V1 be used without STEVAL-MKI109V2/V3 motherboards?

Yes, but only with external control hardware. The board lacks onboard MCU or USB interface - it requires an external controller (e.g., Arduino, STM32 Nucleo) to drive LIS3MDL registers. ST's Unico GUI and official firmware assume use with MKI109V2/V3 bridge boards.

What is the function of JP1 and JP2 jumpers on the board?

JP1 selects LIS3MDL VDD_IO voltage source (3.3 V or 1.8 V), matching host interface levels. JP2 configures DRDY/INT1 interrupt output polarity - enabling active-high or active-low assertion per application logic requirements, as defined in LIS3MDL register settings.