Detailed Explanation of MPU-6050 Sensor - Features and Application Examples

Today's electronic systems and embedded devices rely on sensing the surrounding world to a great extent and such sensors are among essential building blocks. The most popular one is the MPU-6050. It is an 6-axis sensor, and include a 3-axis gyroscope and a 3-axis accelerometer, utilized for measuring angular velocity and linear acceleration. So, it is widely used in Unmanned Aircraft, Robot, Wearing Devices, Motion Detecting and etc.

Overview

Key Blocks and Functions of the MPU-60X0 Include:

• Three-axis MEMS rate gyroscope sensor with 16-bit ADCs and signal conditioning
• Three-axis MEMS accelerometer sensor with 16-bit ADCs and signal conditioning
• Digital Motion Processor (DMP) engine
• Primary I2C and SPI (MPU-6000 only) serial communications interfaces
• Auxiliary I2C serial interface for 3rd party magnetometer & other sensors
• Clocking
• Sensor Data Registers
• FIFO
• Interrupts
• Digital-Output Temperature Sensor
• Gyroscope & Accelerometer Self-test
• Bias and LDO
• Charge Pump

Core features of MPU-6050

High integration
MPU-6050 incorporates:

• 3-Axis Motion Accelerometer: generates acceleration in the 3 direction (ax, ay, az including gravitational acceleration).
• 3-AXIS gyroscope: can be used for measuring three directions angle velocity.

Digital Motion Processor (DMP)

• MPU-6050 features an onboard DMP (Digital Motion Processor) which can run complex fusion algorithms on-board the silicon reducing the load on the main controller and increasing real-time performance.

Multiple range selection

• Acceleration measurement range: ±2g, ±4g, ±8g, ±16g
• Gyroscope range: ±250, ±500, ±1000, ±2000 °/s
• Developers can choose the appropriate range based on specific application requirements to achieve better measurement accuracy and dynamic range.

Communication interface

• I2C interface (standard)
• Some modules support SPI interface
• The I2C interface is simple to use and only requires two signal lines (SDA and SCL) to complete communication with the main control chip (such as Arduino, ESP32, Raspberry Pi, etc.).

Low power consumption

• MPU-6050 has a low-power mode of operation and is ideal for many of the battery operated portables as well as wearable devices.

Typical application examples

1. Unmanned air vehicle and its flight control system
In unmanned aircraft flight control systems, the MPU-6050 can realize real-time measurement of flight attitude and angular velocity. Multi-sensor fusion with barometer, magnetometer and GPS enablbed, such fuction makes the unmanned aircraft to be in a balanced state, stable hovering, turning and flight control
2. Self-balancing robot
In an inverted pendulum system, like a two-wheeled inverted balancing vehicle, the MPU-6050 measures the tilt angle and angular velocity, and the PID control algorithm controls the motor to adjust the speed, enabling the robot to move with balance.
3. Attitude detection and action recognition
In wearable devices such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, the MPU-6050 can monitor the user's movement status, such as walking, running, turning, gesture recognition, etc. Combined with algorithm processing, it can be used for motion health monitoring and user interaction control.
4. Game controller and VR/AR devices
With the MPU-6050 you can make a motion sensing video game controller or motion sensing gadget. In virtual reality and augmented reality headsets, it is simultaneously employed for head position tracking, so that the user's sense of immersion is improved.
5. Automotive electronics
In the automotive safety field, MPU-6050 can be used in collision detection, vehicle dynamic control (for example: ESC), etc., to enhance driving safety.

Conclusion

As a high-performance, cost-effective and highly integrated six-axis sensor, MPU-6050 has been extensively used in areas of motion control and attitude determination. With its powering strength, easy and convenient wiring connection method and numerous development resources, you will find it is also an interesting device on the basis of learning and project use. Either as for teammates who are computer beginners, or for veteran programmers, MPU-6050 is a milestone that needs mastering in IoT and Embedded System.