GY-521 MPU6050 6-Axis Accelerometer and Gyroscope Sensor Module | Pro Tronix

Product Description

A high-performance 6-axis motion tracking module combining a 3-axis gyroscope and a 3-axis accelerometer on a single chip, ideal for orientation sensing and robotics stability in Arduino and ESP32 projects. Powered by the advanced MPU6050 IC, this GY-521 breakout board features an integrated Digital Motion Processor (DMP) capable of handling complex 6-axis MotionFusion algorithms directly on-chip. This onboard processing frees up your host microcontroller’s processing power by offloading intensive orientation computations. Communicating via a standard two-wire I2C interface, the module delivers highly accurate, low-noise measurements, making it an essential component for self-balancing robots, drone flight controllers, and smart wearable motion trackers.

Pinout / Layout Connections

The module breaks out its communication and power lines via an 8-pin interface header:

• VCC Pin: Power supply input, accepts DC +3V to +5V (includes an onboard low-dropout voltage regulator).

• GND Pin: Common system ground reference.

• SCL Pin: I2C Serial Clock line for timing synchronization.

• SDA Pin: I2C Serial Data line for bidirectional telemetry transmission.

• XDA Pin: Auxiliary I2C Serial Data line (used to connect external sensors like magnetometers directly to the MPU6050).

• XCL Pin: Auxiliary I2C Serial Clock line.

• ADO Pin: I2C Address select pin (pull LOW to select address 0x68, pull HIGH to select address 0x69).

• INT Pin: Programmable Interrupt output pin to signal the host MCU when data is ready or motion is detected.

Applications

• Self-Balancing Robotics: Perfect for dual-wheeled balancing robots, automated stabilizing platforms, and active suspension models.

• RC Flight Controllers: Excellent for tracking pitch, roll, and yaw dynamics in DIY drone builds and remote-controlled aircraft.

• Immersive Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI): Ideal for gesture control gloves, VR tracking devices, and handheld 3D air mice.

Compatibility

The GY-521 MPU6050 operates over a flexible power range and uses a standard I2C bus, ensuring full compatibility with:

• Arduino Board Series (Uno, Mega, Nano, Pro Micro) using standard MPU6050 and wire libraries.

• ESP32 and ESP8266 boards (Fully compatible with native 3.3V I2C logic lines).

• Raspberry Pi and Raspberry Pi Pico (Ideal for Python-driven spatial telemetry projects).

• STM32 and standard 8-bit/32-bit MCUs.

Technical Specifications

What’s in the Box

• 1 x GY-521 MPU6050 6-Axis Accelerometer and Gyroscope Sensor Module.

• 1 x 8-pin straight breakaway male header.

• 1 x 8-pin right-angle breakaway male header.