BNO055 9DOF IMU Sensor – 9-Axis Absolute Orientation Module with Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | GY-BNO055 Breakout Board

SKU: FA2014-1
Sensor Chip

Bosch BNO055 (SiP with Cortex M0 MCU)
Degrees of Freedom (DOF)

9 DOF
Operating Modes

ACCEL, GYRO, MAG, IMU, COMPASS, M4G, NDOF, NDOF_FMC_OFF
Supply Voltage (VCC)

3.0V – 5.0V DC (via onboard regulator)
Communication Interface

I2C & UART Digital Interfaces
Magnetometer Resolution

16-bit
Logic Levels

3.3V (5V tolerant)
The BNO055 9DOF IMU Sensor is an intelligent 9-axis Absolute Orientation Module that takes motion tracking a significant step further than conventional IMUs. Manufactured by Bosch Sensortec, this module features a System in Package (SiP) that combines a 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, 3-axis magnetometer, and a dedicated 32-bit Cortex M0 microcontroller running advanced sensor fusion software in real-time. The result is a plug-and-play solution that provides stable, drift-free, calculated orientation data (Quaternions, Euler angles, etc.) directly, eliminating the need for complex programming on your host microcontroller.
Product Description
The GY-BNO055 Breakout Board integrates the revolutionary BNO055 sensor, classified as a System-in-Package (SiP) with an integrated microcontroller running Bosch’s proprietary FusionLib software. This means the module itself performs all complex mathematical calculations required for robust 9-Degrees of Freedom (9DOF) sensor fusion, filtering raw sensor data into reliable, easy-to-use orientation information.
This module provides data in a variety of easy-to-read formats, including Quaternions (ideal for robotics), Euler angles (pitch, roll, yaw in degrees), rotation vectors, and raw sensor output if needed. This eliminates common problems like gyroscope drift over time or magnetic interference issues that plague standard MPU-series sensors. The BNO055 operates over both I2C and UART interfaces and includes an onboard voltage regulator compatible with standard 3.3V and 5V systems. It is the perfect choice for professional applications requiring “absolute orientation” awareness right out of the box.
Key Features
  • Integrated Intelligent Sensor: System-in-Package (SiP) with a dedicated MCU runs fusion software onboard.
  • Absolute Orientation Output: Provides pre-calculated Quaternions, Euler Angles, Rotation Vectors, Gravity Vectors, and Linear Acceleration data.
  • 9-Axis Sensing: 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, and 3-axis magnetometer.
  • No Host Processing Needed: Frees up the host microcontroller for other tasks.
  • Dual Communication Interfaces: Supports both I2C and UART (Serial) protocols.
  • Wide Voltage Compatibility: Onboard regulator allows operation from 3V to 5V DC power supplies.
  • Fully Calibrated: Sensors are factory calibrated and provide calibration status feedback during operation.
Usage
The BNO055 is a premium sensor used where high reliability and ease of integration are paramount:
  1. Augmented/Virtual Reality (AR/VR): Providing smooth, accurate head tracking with minimal drift.
  2. Autonomous Navigation: Providing absolute heading and orientation for robotics (ROS) and autonomous vehicles.
  3. Wearable Technology: Complex motion analysis in high-end fitness or medical devices.
  4. Drone Stabilization: A reliable, high-performance option for advanced flight controllers.
Q: What is the main advantage of the BNO055 over standard MPU-9250 modules?

The BNO055 handles all sensor fusion internally, outputting stable, drift-compensated data like Euler angles or Quaternions directly. Standard IMUs only provide raw data, requiring you to write complex algorithms on your main microcontroller

Q: Do I still need to calibrate the sensor?

The sensor is factory calibrated for its raw inputs. However, it requires a simple field calibration (moving it in a figure-eight pattern) when powered on in a new environment to compensate for local magnetic interference. The sensor provides status codes so you know when calibration is complete

Q: Does it work with 5V Arduino boards?

Yes, the breakout board includes power regulation to accept 5V VCC input, and its logic pins are typically 5V tolerant, allowing direct connection to an Arduino Uno.

Q: How do I switch between I2C and UART modes?

The module typically has a configuration pin (often labeled PS or COM_MODE). Setting this pin to High or Low at startup selects the desired communication mode.

Q: Is the data output fast enough for real-time applications like VR?

Yes, the BNO055 is designed specifically for low-latency, real-time orientation tracking required by AR/VR and robotics applications.

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