Name: MPU-6050 TDK InvenSense 6-Axis IMU Sensor | Gyroscope & Accelerometer
Brand: TDK InvenSense
SKU: MPU-6050

The TDK InvenSense MPU-6050 is a compact 6-axis MotionTracking™ device that integrates a 3-axis MEMS gyroscope, a 3-axis MEMS accelerometer, and an on-chip Digital Motion Processor™ (DMP) in a small 24-QFN 4 mm × 4 mm package. It is designed for motion sensing, gesture detection, stabilization, navigation, wearable devices, gaming controllers, and other embedded systems that require accurate angular-rate and acceleration data.

The MPU-6050 communicates through an I²C digital interface and supports a supply voltage range of 2.375 V to 3.46 V, with a separate VLOGIC reference pin for flexible I²C logic levels. Its programmable full-scale ranges, 16-bit ADCs, FIFO buffer, embedded temperature sensor, and low-power operating modes make it suitable for space-constrained and battery-powered designs.

Key Features

Feature	Description
Sensor Type	6-axis IMU: 3-axis gyroscope + 3-axis accelerometer
Gyroscope Range	±250, ±500, ±1000, ±2000 °/s
Accelerometer Range	±2g, ±4g, ±8g, ±16g
ADC Resolution	16-bit ADCs for gyro and accelerometer outputs
Interface	I²C, up to 400 kHz Fast Mode
Supply Voltage	2.375 V to 3.46 V
Logic Reference	VLOGIC: 1.71 V to VDD
Operating Current	3.9 mA typical with gyro, accelerometer, and DMP enabled
Low-Power Mode	Accelerometer low-power mode from 10 µA depending on update rate
FIFO Buffer	1024-byte FIFO
Package	24-QFN, 4 mm × 4 mm × 0.9 mm
Operating Temperature	-40°C to +85°C
Shock Tolerance	10,000 g
Compliance	RoHS and Green compliant

Applications

Motion-enabled gaming devices
Wearable health, fitness, and sports sensors
Gesture recognition systems
Handheld and portable navigation devices
Image and video stabilization systems
3D remote controls and motion controllers
Robotics and embedded motion tracking
Consumer electronics and IoT motion sensing designs

Product Description

The MPU-6050 provides a highly integrated motion sensing solution for applications that need reliable 6-axis inertial measurement in a compact footprint. It combines digital-output X-, Y-, and Z-axis gyroscope sensing with a programmable 3-axis accelerometer, allowing designers to measure both angular rate and linear acceleration using a single surface-mount device.

For precise motion tracking, the gyroscope supports selectable full-scale ranges from ±250 dps to ±2000 dps, while the accelerometer supports ±2g, ±4g, ±8g, and ±16g measurement ranges. Integrated 16-bit ADCs digitize sensor outputs, while the onboard DMP helps reduce host processor workload by handling motion-processing tasks such as gesture recognition, orientation functions, and sensor data management.

The MPU-6050 includes a 1024-byte FIFO buffer, allowing the host processor to read sensor data in bursts and enter low-power states between reads. It also includes programmable digital low-pass filters, self-test functionality, tap detection, orientation detection, high-G interrupt support, and an embedded temperature sensor.

Summary

The MPU-6050 is a compact and widely used 6-axis inertial measurement unit for motion tracking applications. With integrated gyroscope and accelerometer sensing, programmable ranges, I²C communication, FIFO buffering, and onboard motion processing, it is well suited for embedded systems, wearables, gaming devices, stabilization systems, and motion-based control designs.

Lifecycle note: Major distributors currently list MPU-6050 as obsolete, so for new designs it is worth checking availability, date code, and possible newer TDK InvenSense alternatives before purchasing.