How to use an accelerometer in a circuit

[Alex Hamilton]

Hi all,

I am a software developer but new to hardware development. My buddy and I are working on a project that requires us to connect an NXP Semiconductor Accelerometer to a micro controller. My goal is to print the data received from the accelerometer. I don't need any help with the code but I need help connecting the accelerometer. It doesn't seem to be outputting anything. The data sheet for the accelerometer is in the link below. Can someone please give me some advice as to how to hook this up? Thanks!

NXP Accelerometer Datasheet: http://www.nxp.com/files/sensors/doc/data_sheet/MMA8453Q.pdf

 

[hevans1944]

It doesn't seem to be outputting anything.

Where have you looked? Have you implemented the I²C data link between the accelerometer and your chosen micro-controller? Have you used this data link to program the internal registers of the accelerometer? Verified that the data communications path is working for both send and receive data?

The datasheet you linked to seems to be quite specific on how to connect the hardware interface. See Figure 4 and the notes appended to it. Please upload a schematic diagram showing the accelerometer and how it is connected to your micro-controller, including power supply connections and voltages, by-pass capacitors and where located. Label all components (including the accelerometer and micro-controller) with component designations (R1, R2, C1, C2, U1, U2, etc.) and the component parameters (value or part number, tolerance, power or voltage rating, size, etc. if applicable). Include pin numbers and signal identification similar to Fig. 4 in the datasheet. When drawing the schematic, make all connections "dotted-T" connections and follow the convention that crossing lines DO NOT connect to avoid cluttering the schematic with semi-circular "cross over" symbols.