GY-51 LSM303DLH module 3-axis magnetic field acceleration

Description

Product Overview

The GY-51 LSM303DLH Module is a powerful 6‑degree‑of‑freedom (6DOF) sensor that integrates a 3‑axis accelerometer and a 3‑axis magnetometer (electronic compass) in a single compact unit. Based on the STMicroelectronics LSM303DLH chip, this module provides a complete motion and orientation tracking solution for a wide range of applications, from robotics and navigation to portable devices and gaming.

Unlike separate accelerometer and compass modules, the LSM303DLH combines both sensing elements on a single chip, communicating with your microcontroller via the simple I²C protocol. This saves valuable GPIO pins and simplifies your hardware design while providing 16‑bit data output for high‑resolution readings . The chip includes programmable interrupt generators for free‑fall and motion detection, as well as 6‑dimensional orientation detection that can trigger when the device is moved up/down along any axis .

One of the key advantages of having both sensors on the same chip is the ability to perform tilt‑compensated compassing. By using the accelerometer data to correct for the device’s tilt, you can obtain accurate magnetic heading even when the sensor is not perfectly level. This is essential for reliable navigation in drones, robots, and handheld devices .

The GY-51 module is designed for easy integration, operating from 3V to 5V power and supporting both 3.3V and 5V logic levels. This makes it compatible with a wide range of microcontrollers, including Arduino, ESP32, ESP8266, Raspberry Pi, and STM32. Its compact size (approximately 23mm × 23mm) and low power consumption make it suitable for battery‑powered and portable projects .

Key Features

• 6‑DOF Integrated Sensor: Combines a 3‑axis accelerometer and a 3‑axis magnetometer in a single chip for complete motion and orientation tracking .

• Selectable Acceleration Ranges: User‑selectable full‑scale ranges of ±2g, ±4g, and ±8g for flexible sensitivity adjustment .

• Selectable Magnetic Field Ranges: Magnetic field full‑scale range selectable from ±1.3 to ±8.1 Gauss with seven intermediate steps, allowing optimization for different magnetic environments .

• 16‑bit Data Output: High‑resolution 16‑bit data output for both accelerometer and magnetometer channels, providing excellent detail and accuracy .

• I²C Digital Interface: Simple 2‑wire communication (SDA, SCL) with support for both standard (100 kHz) and fast (400 kHz) modes .

• Tilt‑Compensated Compass Capability: The accelerometer can be used to correct magnetometer readings for device tilt, enabling accurate heading even when the sensor is not horizontal .

• Low Power Consumption: The accelerometer can operate in low‑power mode, making the module suitable for battery‑powered and portable devices .

• Programmable Interrupt Features: Two independent interrupt generators can be configured for free‑fall detection, motion detection, and 6D orientation recognition (up/down events on any axis) .

• Wide Compatibility: Operates on 3V‑5V power, directly compatible with both 3.3V and 5V microcontrollers like Arduino, ESP32, ESP8266, Raspberry Pi, and STM32 .

• Embedded Self‑Test: Built‑in self‑test capability allows verification of sensor functionality in the final application .

• Compact Module Size: Approximately 23mm × 23mm, ideal for space‑constrained and portable projects .

Technical Specifications