STMicroelectronics STEVAL-MKI178V2

Overview

STEVAL-MKI178V2 from STMicroelectronics is an evaluation board for the LSM6DSL iNEMO inertial module, integrating a 3D accelerometer and 3D gyroscope in a single LGA-14 package. It supports Android M–compliant motion sensing with ±2/±4/±8/±16 g acceleration range, ±125 to ±2000 dps angular rate range, 0.4 mA combo normal mode power consumption, 4 kbyte smart FIFO, and embedded pedometer/tilt/significant motion functions - deployed in wearable gesture interfaces and IoT edge sensor nodes.

For engineers reviewing the STEVAL-MKI178V2 datasheet, STEVAL-MKI178V2 pinout, STEVAL-MKI178V2 application, or STEVAL-MKI178V2 equivalent, this board enables rapid validation of LSM6DSL-based motion algorithms, sensor fusion calibration, I²C/SPI interface timing, and low-power always-on firmware behavior across handheld, industrial, and connected-device platforms.

Technical Context

The STEVAL-MKI178V2 implements direct hardware access to the LSM6DSL's dual-sensor architecture via configurable I²C (default) and SPI interfaces, supporting main processor synchronization and embedded sensor hub features including step detection, tilt recognition, and free-fall/wakeup interrupts. Its onboard voltage regulation provides stable 1.8 V and 3.3 V rails matching the LSM6DSL's analog (1.71–3.6 V) and IO (1.62 V) supply requirements.

It exposes all 14 LGA pins of the LSM6DSL through 0.1" headers and test points, enabling full register-level control of operating modes (normal/high-performance), full-scale selection, FIFO buffering, and interrupt routing - critical for validating motion-triggered power state transitions and batched data collection in resource-constrained firmware.

Key Specifications

Availability

STEVAL-MKI178V2 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for wearable development, IoT sensor node prototyping, and industrial vibration monitoring requiring stable component supply and immediate out-of-box evaluation capability.

Supply support for STEVAL-MKI178V2 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 specializing in MEMS sensors, microcontrollers, and power management ICs, with over 30 years of industrial-grade motion sensing innovation.

The STEVAL-MKI178V2 belongs to ST's iNEMO evaluation platform family, designed specifically to accelerate development of motion-aware applications - from gesture-controlled UIs to predictive maintenance systems - by delivering validated hardware, firmware, and software toolchain integration.

FAQ

Does STEVAL-MKI178V2 support both I²C and SPI communication with the host MCU?

Yes. The board routes all LSM6DSL serial interface signals to dual 0.1" headers: I²C uses SCL/SDA (with pull-ups), while SPI uses MOSI/MISO/SCK/CS. Jumper JP1 selects I²C as default; removing it and wiring CS enables SPI mode. Both protocols support full register access and interrupt-driven operation per the LSM6DSL datasheet.

Can STEVAL-MKI178V2 be used for sensor fusion algorithm development?

Yes. It provides raw and processed output from both accelerometer and gyroscope channels, plus embedded features like step count and tilt detection. ST's Unico GUI and X-CUBE-MEMS1 firmware stack enable real-time streaming, calibration, and fusion testing - essential for developing Kalman filter or machine learning-based motion classifiers.

What power sources are compatible with STEVAL-MKI178V2?

The board accepts 3.3 V DC via the VIN pin or USB mini-B connector (5 V input with onboard 3.3 V LDO). It delivers regulated 3.3 V (for host MCU logic) and 1.8 V (for LSM6DSL IO domain), matching the sensor's dual-supply architecture. No external level shifters are required for interfacing with 3.3 V or 1.8 V microcontrollers.

Is the LSM6DSL on STEVAL-MKI178V2 pre-calibrated for production use?

No. The LSM6DSL is factory-trimmed for sensitivity and zero-rate offset, but user calibration (e.g., hard/soft iron for magnetometer co-location, bias temperature compensation) is required for high-accuracy applications. The board includes test points for VDD, GND, and sensor outputs to support in-system calibration routines.