MMA1270D - ±2.5g Z-Axis Accelerometer | NXP SOIC-16
MPN: MMA1270D ⚠ Last Time Buy| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $11.5 | $11.50 |
| 10 | $10.4 | $104.00 |
| 100 | $9.25 | $925.00 |
| 500 | $8.3 | $4,150.00 |
| 1,000 | $7.4 | $7,400.00 |
MMA1270D Overview
What is a MEMS accelerometer? A MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) accelerometer is a sensor that detects acceleration by measuring the displacement of a proof mass suspended on silicon springs; the MMA1270D specifically uses a silicon capacitive sensing cell whose capacitance changes under acceleration, then converts that change to a voltage through on-chip signal conditioning. As a single-axis analog sensor, it sits in the broader sensor hierarchy of inertial measurement units (IMU) and falls under the motion-sensor category.
Key features include factory-trimmed zero-g offset, full-scale span, and filter cut-off that require no external passive components, an integrated self-test function that simulates a defined acceleration to verify system functionality, and ratiometric analog output that scales with the 5 V supply. The MMA1270D targets industrial-grade operating environments with a stable transfer characteristic over temperature.
Typical applications include automotive motion sensing, industrial vibration monitoring, appliance anti-tilt detection, and general-purpose tilt/inclination measurement. With its 50 Hz bandwidth and 750 mV/g sensitivity, the device is well suited for low-frequency acceleration events and DC tilt sensing rather than high-frequency vibration analysis. The single-supply 5 V operation simplifies interface to standard microcontrollers with built-in ADC channels.
When designing with this part, ensure the analog-to-digital converter sampling rate is well above 200 Hz to satisfy the Nyquist criterion for the 50 Hz internal filter. Decouple the supply pin with a 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the device, and keep digital ground return currents away from the sensor's analog ground trace. The lead-free note is ambiguous in the historical record, so verify with the current RoHS certificate before placing into a RoHS-only build.
Drop-in alternatives for MMA1270D — 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 MMA1270D (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Acceleration Range, RoHS Status, Self-Test, Sensor Type, Output Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MMA1260D
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MMA1220D
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.48 / Unit
View Datasheet →MMA1250D
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$6.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →MMA1270KEGR2
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MMA1270D Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Sensor Type | Accelerometer (MEMS, capacitive) |
| Axis | Z (single-axis) |
| Acceleration Range | ±2.5 g |
| Sensitivity | 750 mV/g typical (712.5–787.5 mV/g) |
| Supply Voltage | 4.75 V to 5.25 V |
| Output Type | Analog, ratiometric |
| Zero-g Output (typ.) | 2.5 V (Vdd/2) |
| Bandwidth | 50 Hz (2-pole low-pass filter) |
| Self-Test | Yes (ST pin, active-high) |
| Package | SOIC-16 (Dw), surface mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Lead-Free Status | Contains Lead (historical datasheet note) |
| RoHS Status | RoHS Non-Compliant (historical datasheet note) |
MMA1270D Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Power supply (5 V) |
| Pin 2 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 3 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 4 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 5 | OUT — Analog accelerometer output |
| Pin 6 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 7 | ST — Self-test input (active high) |
| Pin 8 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 9 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 10 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 11 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 12 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 13 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 14 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 15 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 16 | NC — Not connected |
Typical Applications
MMA1270D is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Electronic Stability Control Input, Industrial Vibration Monitoring, Appliance Anti-Tilt Detection, Tilt and Inclination Sensing, Portable Data Recorder / Black Box, Security / Alarm Shock Sensor.
Automotive Electronic Stability Control Input
The MMA1270D's ±2.5 g Z-axis range and 750 mV/g sensitivity suit it as a chassis-tilt or pitch-rate backup sensor in vehicle dynamics modules, where the analog output feeds an automotive MCU's ADC with ratiometric noise immunity tied to the 5 V supply. Its 50 Hz low-pass filter attenuates suspension-pump road noise above the dynamics bandwidth of vehicle body roll, and the on-chip self-test pin enables end-of-line functional verification at the ECU assembly plant. Use the MMA1270KEGR2 automotive variant when AEC-Q100 qualification is required.
Recommended
Industrial Vibration Monitoring
With its 50 Hz internal low-pass filter and 750 mV/g sensitivity, the MMA1270D works as a low-frequency vibration node on rotating machinery such as fans, blowers, and pumps, where the analog output can be sampled by a 12-bit ADC at 1 kHz to capture vibration envelopes below the filter cutoff. The factory-trimmed zero-g bias of 2.5 V (Vdd/2) means tilt drift on a wall-mounted enclosure shows up as a clean DC offset rather than calibration error, simplifying the BMS firmware. Its industrial -40 °C to +85 °C window supports outdoor NEMA enclosures.
Recommended
Appliance Anti-Tilt Detection
The MMA1270D's 750 mV/g sensitivity delivers roughly 1.9 V of swing at full ±2.5 g tilt, well within the input range of a 5 V microcontroller ADC and ideal for appliance anti-tip interlocks in washing machines and refrigerators. Compared to a digital-output sensor, the analog chain inside the MMA1270D lets designers decide the threshold in firmware and add hysteresis, while the 50 Hz filter rejects motor hum that would otherwise false-trigger the interlock. The integrated self-test pin supports automated end-of-line functional checks.
Recommended
Tilt and Inclination Sensing
Operating at zero-g bias of 2.5 V and sensitivity 750 mV/g, the MMA1270D delivers about ±1.875 V of output swing across the ±2.5 g full-scale tilt range, making it a straightforward tilt sensor when the device is mounted horizontally on a level reference plane. The 2.5 V midpoint lets the host microcontroller use Vdd/2 as the reference for symmetric tilt thresholds and ratiometric ADC conversion to cancel supply drift. The 50 Hz 2-pole low-pass filter smooths out high-frequency vibration so a slowly-tilted enclosure reports clean DC angle.
Recommended
Portable Data Recorder / Black Box
The MMA1270D's 5 V single-supply operation and low power fit a black-box-style data recorder capturing crash or drop events, where its analog output can be sampled by an MCU's buffered ADC and stored in non-volatile memory. With ±2.5 g range and 750 mV/g sensitivity, the recorder can resolve roughly 1.5 g peak impact with margin, while the integrated self-test pin lets the host run a stored-pattern self-test on power-up to confirm the sensor chain is alive before logging. Industrial -40 °C to +85 °C temperature range supports outdoor data-logger enclosures.
Recommended
Security / Alarm Shock Sensor
Placed on a wall or cabinet, the MMA1270D detects knocks and tilts well above the 50 Hz filter cutoff at low-g magnitudes, making it suitable for glass-break and alarm shock detectors where the analog output swings in response to a percussive impact. Ratiometric output keeps supply ripple from triggering false alarms, and the SOIC-16 footprint fits behind a ceiling-mounted housing next to the alarm panel. The factory-trimmed zero-g bias and self-test pin help calibrate the threshold and run end-of-line verification in alarm-panel manufacturing.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MMA1270D — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MMA1260D | MMA1220D | MMA1250D | MMA1270KEGR2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors (Freescale) | NXP Semiconductors (Freescale) | NXP Semiconductors (Freescale) | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | SOIC-16 (Dw) | SOIC-16 (Dw) - same | SOIC-16 (Dw) - same | SOIC-16 (Dw) - same | SOIC-16 (Dw) - same |
| Axis | Z (single) | Z (single) | Z (single) | Z (single) | Z (single) |
| Acceleration Range | ±2.5 g | ±1.5 g (-40%) | ±5 g (+100%) | ±5 g ±2 g | ±2.5 g (same) |
| Supply Voltage | 4.75–5.25 V | 4.75–5.25 V (same) | 4.75–5.25 V (same) | 4.75–5.25 V (same) | 4.75–5.25 V (same) |
| AEC-Q100 Grade | Not qualified (industrial) | Not qualified | Not qualified | Not qualified | AEC-Q100 qualified |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C (same) | -40 °C to +85 °C (same) | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +125 °C |
Key Differentiators
- Higher ±2.5 g range than the MMA1260D (vs MMA1260D)
- Lower ±2.5 g range for higher sensitivity than the MMA1220D (vs MMA1220D)
- Automotive-grade drop option via KEGR2 suffix (vs MMA1270KEGR2)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 5.0 V supply and 1 mA quiescent current typical, the MMA1270D dissipates roughly 5 mW. Power-supply noise directly couples onto the analog output through the ratiometric architecture, so place a 0.1 µF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin and a small ferrite bead in series with VDD if the host supply is shared with a switching regulator. Add a bulk 1 µF ceramic or tantalum on the analog rail to suppress motor inrush from a shared vehicle or appliance bus.
Keep digital ground return paths away from the MMA1270D analog ground trace; place the sensor ground on a low-noise cut in the ground plane nearest the IC body. Route the analog OUT line as a short, guarded trace away from switching converter traces, and add a small RC (10 kΩ + 100 nF) anti-aliasing filter at the ADC input to suppress energy beyond 50 Hz above the internal pole. If the device sits on a chassis that may bend, isolate the SOIC-16 with compliant mounts so PCB flex does not bias the MEMS proof mass.
Avoid using the legacy MMA1270D in a RoHS-only end product: the historical datasheet lists 'Contains Lead' and 'RoHS Non-Compliant'. Check the actual reel and request a RoHS/lead-free certificate before placement. Treat the 50 Hz internal filter as part of the signal chain - sampling the ADC below 200 Hz violates Nyquist and folds out-of-band noise into the reading. Finally, do not assume any cross-axis calibration; the MMA1270D is a Z-axis-only sensor, so X/Y acceleration appears as a small residual rather than a measured value.
Compliance Information
Per historical datasheet, RoHS Non-Compliant and 'Contains Lead' for the legacy MMA1270D (industrial grade, -40 °C to +85 °C). For AEC-Q100 automotive applications, select the MMA1270KEGR2 variant. REACH / halogen / conflict-mineral status not explicitly stated in the verified web data and marked unknown pending a current material declaration.
