MPL3115A2 I2C Barometric/Altitude/Temperature Sensor

This pressure sensor is a great sensing solution for precision measurement of barometric pressure and altitude at a low price. This sensor, MPL3115A2 has a typical 1.5 Pascal resolution, which can resolve altitude at 0.3 meters as compared to the BMP180 which can only resolve 0.17m. There are some advantages of this sensor as compared to the BMP280. For instance, it can interrupt outputs for ultra-low power usage, and it's a whole lot easier to read altitude with a built-in altimeter calculation. There is no calibration reading and calculating required. On the other hand, there is even a fairly good temperature sensor with ±1°C typical accuracy (±3°C max).

This chip likes to be used with 2-3.6V power and logic voltages, so it comes in a breakout board with a 3V regulator and logic level shifting. It's very easy to use with any Arduino or microcontroller that has i2c capability.

This chip looks and sounds a whole lot similar to the MPL115A2 but this is the precision version, which by it can act as an altitude-sensor as well as barometer

It is very easy to use this sensor. Here are the steps for you! For example, if you're using an Arduino, simply connect:

• VDD pin to the 5V voltage pin
• GND to ground
• SCL to I2C Clock (Analog 5 - A5 on an UNO)
• SDA to I2C Data (Analog 4 - A4 on an UNO).

Then download the MPL3115A2 Arduino library and example code for temperature, pressure and basic altitude calculation. Install the library, and load the example sketch. Immediately you'll have the temperature, pressure and altitude data printed in the serial console.

Note: The header pins come unassembled, you will need to solder it.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 18mm x 19mm x 2mm / .7" x .8" x .1"
• Weight: 1.2g
• Vin: 3 to 5.5 VDC
• Logic: 3 to 5V compatible
• Pressure sensing range: 50-110 kPa (up to 10KM altitude)
• 1.5 Pa / 0.3 m altitude resolution
• This board/chip uses I2C 7-bit address 0x60

• 1 x MPL3115A2 I2C Barometric/Altitude/Temperature Sensor
• 1 x Straight Pin Header (Male) 1 x7 Ways

• MPL3115A2 Datasheet
• MPL3115A2 Github Arduino Library from Adafruit
• MPL3115A2 Pressure Sensor and Arduino Example, tutorial by ArduinoLearning.com