SparkFun 6 Degrees of Freedom Breakout - LSM6DS3

The LSM6DS3 is a accelerometer and gyroscope sensor with a giant 8kb FIFO buffer and embedded processing interrupt functions, specifically targeted at the cellphone market. Due to the capabilities and low cost of the LSM6DS3 we've created this small breakout board just for you! Each LSM6DS3 Breakout has been designed to be super-flexible and can be configured specifically for many applications. With the LSM6DS3 Breakout you will be able to detect shocks, tilt, motion, taps, count steps, and even read the temperature!

The LSM6DS3 from STMicroelectronics is capable of reading accelerometer data up to 6.7kS/s and gyroscope data up to 1.7kS/s for more accurate movement sensing. As stated before this breakout also has the ability to buffer up to 8kB of data between reads, host other sensors, and drive interrupt pins all thanks to the LSM6DS3's built-in FIFO.

Each pin has been broken out on the LSM6DS3, with one side of the board featuring power and I2C functionality while the other side sporting pins that control SPI functionality and interrupt outputs. Please keep in mind that the LSM6DS3 is a 3.3V device so supplying voltages greater than ~3.6V can permanently damage the IC. A logic level shifter is required for any development platform operating at 5V.

  • Power consumption: 0.9 mA in combo normal mode and 1.25 mA in combo high-performance mode up to 1.6 kHz.
  • “Always on” experience with low power consumption for both accelerometer and gyroscope
  • Smart FIFO up to 8 kbyte based on features set
  • ±2/±4/±8/±16 g full scale
  • ±125/±245/±500/±1000/±2000 dps full scale
  • Analog supply voltage: 1.71 V to 3.6 V
  • SPI/I2C serial interface with main processor data synchronization feature
  • Embedded temperature sensor

SparkFun 6 Degrees of Freedom Breakout - LSM6DS3 Product Help and Resources

LSM6DS3 Breakout Hookup Guide

August 13, 2015

A hookup guide for the LSM6DS3, which features a 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, and FIFO buffer.

Core Skill: Soldering

This skill defines how difficult the soldering is on a particular product. It might be a couple simple solder joints, or require special reflow tools.

1 Soldering

Skill Level: Noob - Some basic soldering is required, but it is limited to a just a few pins, basic through-hole soldering, and couple (if any) polarized components. A basic soldering iron is all you should need.
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Core Skill: Programming

If a board needs code or communicates somehow, you're going to need to know how to program or interface with it. The programming skill is all about communication and code.

3 Programming

Skill Level: Competent - The toolchain for programming is a bit more complex and will examples may not be explicitly provided for you. You will be required to have a fundamental knowledge of programming and be required to provide your own code. You may need to modify existing libraries or code to work with your specific hardware. Sensor and hardware interfaces will be SPI or I2C.
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Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping

If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.

3 Electrical Prototyping

Skill Level: Competent - You will be required to reference a datasheet or schematic to know how to use a component. Your knowledge of a datasheet will only require basic features like power requirements, pinouts, or communications type. Also, you may need a power supply that?s greater than 12V or more than 1A worth of current.
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  • JeffNYC / about 6 years ago / 1

    What is the part number / specs for the inductor shown in the schematic ('L2', RES-07859)? Building my own PCB that includes the LSM6DS3 circuitry and can't find the values for the inductor anywhere, and 'RES-07859' doesn't come up in any search..

    • CF / about 6 years ago / 1

      Hi! RES-07859 is one of our internal part numbers so it won't show up anywhere online. This inductor is a 30 ohm ferrite bead and is similar to part number MPZ1608D300BTA00. Hope that helps!

  • randomvibe / about 7 years ago / 1

    Worked nicely for my balancing robot. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHb9eYAyGJc

Customer Reviews

4 out of 5

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1 of 2 found this helpful:

Works well and as advertised

I chose the LSM6DS3 becayse I needed a 6DOF IMU that was ready to hookup to a microcontroller. Also, it had great reviews and a hookup guide. The only downside is that it required a little soldering to add pins. That was only a downside for my uses. Otherwise it is still useful have the option to solder wire directly to the throughhole! I highly recommend.