MMA1250D - ±5g Z-Axis Micromachined Accelerometer | NXP
MPN: MMA1250D ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $12.85 | $12.85 |
| 10 | $11.2 | $112.00 |
| 100 | $9.45 | $945.00 |
| 500 | $7.9 | $3,950.00 |
| 1,000 | $6.55 | $6,550.00 |
MMA1250D Overview
An accelerometer is a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) sensor that converts mechanical acceleration into an electrical signal; the MMA1250D belongs to the broader sensor category (sensor -> motion sensor -> accelerometer -> MEMS accelerometer), with capacitive sensing as its underlying physical principle. A free-moving proof mass displaces relative to fixed silicon combs under acceleration, changing the differential capacitance that is read out by an on-chip ASIC. The result is a single-rail analog output that designers can feed directly to an ADC.
Key features include ±5g measurement range, ratiometric analog output, on-chip 2-pole low-pass filtering at 50 Hz, full system self-test, and 4.75 V to 5.25 V single-supply operation. Zero-g offset, full-scale span, and filter cut-off are all factory trimmed, eliminating external compensation components. The integrated self-test verifies mechanical and electrical integrity at power-up or on demand through a logic input.
The MMA1250D uses Freescale/NXP's surface-micromachined polysilicon capacitive sense element with a CMOS signal-conditioning ASIC on the same die. The 50 Hz low-pass filter attenuates high-frequency vibration and electrical noise before the output buffer, while temperature compensation keeps the offset stable over the -40 °C to +105 °C operating range. The SOIC-16 form factor supports robust through-hole-free PCB assembly and stable mechanical mounting required for repeatable low-g readings.
Typical applications include automotive vehicle dynamic control modules, airbag pre-crash sensing, industrial vibration monitoring, tilt/inclination sensing for platform leveling, and consumer motion-enabled appliances. The Z-axis (out-of-plane) sensing orientation makes the part especially suited to applications where the PCB is mounted vertically in the product chassis.
When designing with the MMA1250D, treat the device's mounting orientation as part of the calibration: the Z-axis output is referenced to gravity, so tilt and shock effects are coupled and require mounting decisions during PCB layout. Decouple VDD with a 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the supply pin, and route the analog output away from switching node traces.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for MMA1250D — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with MMA1250D (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Self-Test, Package, Sensor Type, Acceleration Range, Bandwidth.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MMA1260D
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MMA1220D
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$5.48 / Unit
View Datasheet →MMA1251D
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MMA2300D
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$9.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →MMA3202D
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MMA1250D Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Sensor Type | Accelerometer, Z-axis single-axis |
| Acceleration Range | ±5 g |
| Axis | Z (vertical / out-of-plane) |
| Sensing Technology | Capacitive MEMS (silicon micromachined) |
| Output Type | Analog, ratiometric voltage |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 4.75 V to 5.25 V |
| Zero-g Offset (nominal) | 2.5 V (at VDD = 5 V, ratiometric) |
| Filter Type | On-chip 2-pole low-pass filter |
| Filter Cut-off Frequency (-3 dB) | 50 Hz |
| Self-Test | Yes - system-level, logic input |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 °C to +105 °C |
| Package | 16-pin SOIC (SOP-16), surface mount |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Non-Compliant (contains lead, per DigiChip listing) |
| Lead-Free Status | Contains Lead |
| Temperature Grade | Automotive |
MMA1250D Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 2 | VDD — Supply voltage (4.75 V - 5.25 V) |
| Pin 3 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 4 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 5 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 6 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 7 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 8 | VOUT — Analog acceleration output (ratiometric) |
| Pin 9 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 10 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 11 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 12 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 13 | ST — Self-test input (logic high activates) |
| Pin 14 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 15 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 16 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
MMA1250D is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Vehicle Dynamics Sensing, Airbag Pre-Crash and Tilt Sensing, Industrial Vibration and Platform Tilt Monitoring, Consumer Appliance Motion Detection, Security and Anti-Theft Tilt Alarms, Mobile and Portable Tilt Sensing.
Automotive Vehicle Dynamics Sensing
The MMA1250D's ±5 g Z-axis range, 5 V single-supply operation, and automotive temperature grade (-40 °C to +105 °C) make it a strong fit for chassis-level vehicle dynamics modules that need low-g tilt and acceleration feedback. Its ratiometric analog output feeds directly into a 5 V ADC reference domain, eliminating scaling errors across the operating supply range. Unlike digital-output MEMS parts that require a serial interface, the MMA1250D's buffered analog signal pairs well with legacy vehicle ECUs that already include multi-channel ADCs. Designers should treat PCB mounting orientation as part of calibration because the Z-axis is referenced to gravity.
Recommended
Airbag Pre-Crash and Tilt Sensing
Pre-crash sensing modules use the MMA1250D's Z-axis low-g sensitivity to detect vehicle pitch changes that occur just before a collision. The on-chip 2-pole 50 Hz low-pass filter attenuates engine vibration and road noise so the analog output is dominated by the actual tilt event, which reduces false-trigger rates in the ECU's decision logic. The integrated self-test feature validates mechanical integrity at module power-on, an automotive diagnostic advantage over discrete sensor solutions. Pairing the device with an MCU-hosted ADC sampled above 200 Hz provides real-time tilt state for airbag arming algorithms.
Recommended
Industrial Vibration and Platform Tilt Monitoring
Industrial platform-leveling systems and condition-monitoring modules use the MMA1250D's Z-axis analog output to report tilt and low-frequency vibration directly to a PLC or controller ADC. The factory-calibrated zero-g offset (nominally 2.5 V at 5 V VDD) simplifies system calibration because the rest state is halfway between supply and ground, mapping symmetrically to a single-ended ADC input range. With a 50 Hz filter on-chip, slow mechanical drift and DC tilt are passed through cleanly while high-frequency motor and pump noise is rejected. The wide -40 °C to +105 °C operating range supports outdoor industrial enclosures.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Motion Detection
Washing machines, dryers, and smart appliances use the MMA1250D's ±5 g Z-axis sensing to detect unbalance, tilt, and motion events without a digital signal path. The MMA1250D's buffered analog output can be read by the appliance's main microcontroller ADC, eliminating the need to add an I2C bus on cost-sensitive consumer designs. The integrated self-test diagnostic gives service technicians a deterministic verification stimulus at the production line. Decoupling the 5 V supply near the device with a 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor ensures clean output during motor inrush.
Recommended
Security and Anti-Theft Tilt Alarms
Anti-theft devices and access-control enclosures use the MMA1250D's Z-axis analog output to detect enclosure tampering by reading tilt deltas. The output transitions from the 2.5 V zero-g resting voltage when the enclosure moves, and the on-chip 50 Hz filter rejects ambient mechanical disturbances that would otherwise cause false alarms. The SOIC-16 package is robust for long-life, surface-mounted security hardware that sits for years on standby current. The integrated self-test provides a means for the host MCU to validate sensor health during periodic self-check routines.
Recommended
Mobile and Portable Tilt Sensing
Battery-powered tilt indicators in portable instruments can use the MMA1250D's ratiometric analog output as a low-latency angle-feedback element. Because the analog output's full-scale span tracks VDD, designers can power the device from a regulated 5 V boost and rely on consistent g-to-V scaling across battery states. This is an advantage over digital-output accelerometers that require host polling and can introduce motion-to-data latency. The wide temperature range and the compact SOIC-16 footprint suit portable enclosures where PCB area and operating-temperature margins are tight.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MMA1250D — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MMA1260D | MMA1220D | MMA1251D | MMA2300D | MMA3202D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 16-pin SOIC (SOP-16) | 16-pin SOIC (SOP-16) - same | 16-pin SOIC (SOP-16) - same | 16-pin SOIC (SOP-16) - same | 16-pin SOIC (SOP-16) - same | 16-pin SOIC (SOP-16) - same |
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Axis | Z (single) | Z (single) | Z (single) | Z (single) | Z (single) | X+Z (dual) |
| Output Type | Analog (ratiometric) | Analog (ratiometric) | Analog (ratiometric) | Analog (ratiometric) | Analog (ratiometric) | Analog (ratiometric) |
| Supply Voltage | 4.75 V to 5.25 V | 4.75 V to 5.25 V | 4.75 V to 5.25 V | 4.75 V to 5.25 V | 4.75 V to 5.25 V | 4.75 V to 5.25 V |
| On-Chip Low-Pass Filter | 50 Hz, 2-pole | 50 Hz, 2-pole | 50 Hz, 2-pole | 50 Hz, 2-pole | 50 Hz, 2-pole | 50 Hz, 2-pole |
| Self-Test | Yes (system-level) | Yes (system-level) | Yes (system-level) | Yes (system-level) | Yes (system-level) | Yes (system-level) |
Key Differentiators
- Single-axis Z for low-g tilt (vs dual-axis parts) (vs MMA3202D)
- Automotive temperature grade with analog output (vs MMA1251D)
- Mature drop-in alternative with documented SOIC-16 footprint (vs MMA1260D)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 µF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 2) and a bulk capacitor on the supply rail feeding the MMA1250D. Because the output is ratiometric to VDD, any supply noise above the 50 Hz on-chip filter cut-off will couple directly into the analog output - a well-decoupled 5 V rail is essential for low-noise tilt readings. Tie unused NC pins to ground or leave floating per the datasheet, never to VDD.
Mechanical stability is part of the sensor calibration: mount the SOIC-16 package flat against a stiff PCB region and avoid placing it near board flex points, connectors, or large hot components. The Z-axis is referenced to gravity through the package orientation, so position the part with a clear, unobstructed mounting plan that does not cantilever over cutouts or unsupported board regions. Route the analog output trace away from switching-node traces and motor-driver returns to prevent conducted-noise coupling.
A common pitfall is to assume the MMA1250D's 2.5 V rest voltage is a digital signal - it is an analog output that must be digitized by the host ADC with adequate resolution (10 bits minimum for ±5 g scaling). Another pitfall is to forget that the device is RoHS non-compliant (lead-containing): for new designs targeting RoHS, choose a drop-in Pb-free same-package alternative from the alternatives list. Finally, do not bypass the self-test input - the integrated self-test is the most reliable way to verify mechanical integrity after PCB-level soldering rework.
Compliance Information
Per DigiChip part listing, MMA1250D is RoHS non-compliant and contains lead - it is a legacy Motorola/Freescale part continued by NXP. AEC-Q100 and halogen-free status were not explicitly stated in the verified web data and are marked unknown.
