MMA5206KW - PSI5 X-Axis 60g Accelerometer | NXP Semiconductors
MPN: MMA5206KW ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.42 | $7.42 |
| 10 | $6.65 | $66.50 |
| 100 | $5.3 | $530.00 |
| 500 | $4.5 | $2,250.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.85 | $3,850.00 |
MMA5206KW Overview
An accelerometer is a micro-electromechanical (MEMS) sensor that measures proper acceleration along one or more axes and outputs a signal proportional to that force, enabling detection of motion, tilt, vibration, and shock. Within the broader sensor taxonomy, a single-axis accelerometer like the MMA5206KW sits under MEMS motion sensor -> accelerometer -> inertial measurement unit -> sensor -> semiconductor. PSI5 is an automotive sensor interface standard used to power the sensor and transmit synchronous or asynchronous sensor data on the same two-wire bus at 125 kbps, eliminating dedicated signal wires.
Key features of the MMA5206KW include ±60g full-scale range for high-shock sensing, 400 Hz signal bandwidth, automotive temperature grade qualification, integrated PSI5 transceiver with on-chip sync/transmit logic, and a small 6x6 mm QFN-16 footprint suitable for space-constrained safety-critical modules. The exposed thermal pad improves thermal coupling and mechanical stability when soldered to a PCB ground pour.
Technically, the device combines a MEMS g-cell with a mixed-signal ASIC that performs amplification, offset compensation, and PSI5 protocol generation. A key design consideration is the external capacitor on the VCC node for energy storage during PSI5 synchronization pulses. According to the manufacturer datasheet, this capacitor is required because PSI5 supplies the sensor through a current-limiting resistor, and the sensor must buffer the charge internally.
Typical applications include airbag front crash sensors, side-impact satellite sensors, rollover detection modules, and pedestrian-protection impact sensors. The ±60g range suits high-deceleration crash events while the PSI5 interface supports daisy-chained wiring common in airbag electronic control units.
When designing with this part, place the VCC storage capacitor as close as possible to pin 1 with a low-ESR ceramic, and route the IDATA line through the recommended PSI5 current-setting resistor. Verify the synchronization timing budget because PSI5 is a time-deterministic protocol that requires precise bus arbitration among multiple satellite sensors.
Drop-in alternatives for MMA5206KW — 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 MMA5206KW (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Sensor Type, Axis, Supply Voltage, Operating Temperature.
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No drop-in alternatives available for this product.
Request AlternativesMMA5206KW Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Sensor Type | Accelerometer, Single Axis (X) |
| Acceleration Range | ±60 g |
| Bandwidth | 400 Hz |
| Axis Sensing Direction | X-axis lateral |
| Output Interface | PSI5 (Peripheral Sensor Interface 5) |
| Supply Voltage | 5 V / 9 V / 12 V / 15 V |
| Package | 16-QFN (6x6 mm) with EP |
| Pin Count | 16 |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Temperature Grade | Automotive |
| MEMS Technology | Surface-micromachined capacitive g-cell |
| Sensor Family | NXP Xtrinsic MMA52xxKW PSI5 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Packaging Type | Tube |
MMA5206KW Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VCC — PSI5 supply voltage; external storage capacitor required between this pin and VSS |
| Pin 2 | VSS — Digital ground; power supply return for digital circuitry |
| Pin 3 | IDATA — PSI5 response current output; connected to PSI5 power/data line through a resistor |
| Pin 4 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 5 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 6 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 7 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 8 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| 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 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 14 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 15 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 16 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
MMA5206KW is suitable for 6 applications: Front Airbag Crash Sensor (ECU Satellite), Side-Impact Door Satellite Sensor, Rollover Detection Module, Pedestrian-Protection Impact Sensor, Industrial Vibration Monitoring, Off-Road Vehicle Impact Detection.
Front Airbag Crash Sensor (ECU Satellite)
The MMA5206KW is purpose-built for front-impact airbag satellite sensors that convert crash deceleration into PSI5-formatted frames for the airbag ECU. Its ±60g full-scale range matches the peak deceleration of rigid-barrier frontal crashes at 50 km/h, which can exceed 40g in the first 10 ms - a ±24g sensor would simply saturate. The 400 Hz bandwidth captures the dominant crash-pulse frequency content with margin, while the PSI5 interface daisy-chains multiple satellite sensors on a single two-wire bus, reducing wiring harness weight. Per the NXP datasheet, the part is automotive-grade qualified and integrates the current-modulation PSI5 transceiver on-chip, so the only external components needed are the VCC storage capacitor and the IDATA current-setting resistor.
Recommended
Side-Impact Door Satellite Sensor
Side-impact door satellite sensors require a fast-responding lateral accelerometer with PSI5 interface, and the MMA5206KW fits this role when extreme crash pulses are expected. Although most side-impact events peak at 20-30g, the MMA5206KW's ±60g range provides headroom for oblique pole impacts and very high-velocity side crashes. According to the NXP MMA52xxKW datasheet, the X-axis sensing direction maps directly to the door's lateral sensing axis. For lower-g door-satellite applications, the MMA5224AKW (±24g) is preferred because it offers better resolution at lower decelerations; however, when engineering a sensor platform that must cover both side and front locations, the MMA5206KW's wider range simplifies the BOM.
Recommended
Rollover Detection Module
Rollover detection ECUs rely on a dedicated lateral accelerometer to detect vehicle tilt and impending rollover conditions, and the MMA5206KW serves this function in the NXP MMA52xxKW PSI5 family. According to the NXP datasheet, the part's ±60g range tolerates the combined lateral+vertical acceleration peaks that occur during aggressive cornering combined with road imperfections, while the 400 Hz bandwidth captures fast tilt transitions. The PSI5 interface integrates cleanly with other NXP airbag satellites on the same bus, enabling centralized crash sensing. Note: an actual rollover ECU typically pairs the lateral accelerometer with a separate vertical-axis sensor; for the vertical channel, NXP recommends a complementary part from the same family.
Recommended
Pedestrian-Protection Impact Sensor
Pedestrian-protection impact sensors mounted behind the bumper or in the fender require an X-axis accelerometer that can resolve the high-frequency, lower-amplitude pulses generated by a pedestrian impact while still surviving the harsh environment. The MMA5206KW's ±60g range and 400 Hz bandwidth make it suitable for bumper-mounted sensors that must discriminate between pedestrian impacts and minor contact events. Per the NXP MMA52xxKW datasheet, the PSI5 interface allows these sensors to share the airbag bus with the crash sensors, simplifying the ECU's sensor-fusion algorithm. In modules where finer resolution is required, the MMA5224AKW is a drop-in alternative at ±24g.
Recommended
Industrial Vibration Monitoring
Industrial vibration monitoring on heavy machinery such as pumps, motors, and gearboxes requires a rugged single-axis accelerometer, and the MMA5206KW's automotive-grade construction translates well to industrial environments with high shock and vibration. According to the NXP datasheet, the 400 Hz bandwidth captures vibration spectra from rotating equipment up to several thousand RPM, and the ±60g range tolerates machine-startup transients. The PSI5 interface is non-standard outside automotive, so a host MCU with PSI5 receiver capability is required; for industrial users without PSI5 infrastructure, a standard SPI/I2C accelerometer is more practical. The part's value here is for industrial users who already have PSI5 capability in their motor-control ECU.
Recommended
Off-Road Vehicle Impact Detection
Off-road and powersport vehicles experience extreme crash pulses from rollovers, jumps, and collisions that easily exceed typical consumer-grade accelerometer ranges, and the MMA5206KW's ±60g full-scale range handles these events. Per the NXP MMA52xxKW datasheet, the automotive temperature grade and QFN-16 with exposed pad construction provide the thermal and mechanical robustness needed for chassis-mounted sensors. The PSI5 interface is unusual in this market, so this part is best suited to off-road vehicles already equipped with NXP-based airbag or stability systems. For lower-cost powersport applications, a consumer-grade accelerometer with SPI output is generally a better cost fit.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MMA5206KW — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MMA5224AKW | MMA5124KW | MMA5212AKW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 16-QFN (6x6) with EP | 16-QFN (6x6) - same | 16-QFN (6x6) - same | 16-QFN (6x6) - same |
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Acceleration Range | ±60 g | ±24 g | ±24 g | ±12 g |
| Bandwidth | 400 Hz | 400 Hz | 400 Hz | 400 Hz |
| Output Interface | PSI5 | PSI5 - same | PSI5 - same | PSI5 - same |
| Supply Voltage | 5V / 9V / 12V / 15V | 5V / 9V / 12V / 15V | 5V / 9V / 12V / 15V | 5V / 9V / 12V / 15V |
| Axis | X-axis | X-axis | X-axis | X-axis |
| Temperature Grade | Automotive | Automotive | Automotive | Automotive |
| Silicon Revision | Standard | A (improved drift) | Standard | A |
Key Differentiators
- Highest acceleration range in the X-axis PSI5 family (vs MMA5224AKW)
- PSI5 integrated interface with same QFN-16 footprint (vs MMA5212AKW)
- Automotive-grade qualified for safety-critical applications (vs Consumer-grade accelerometers (e.g., ADXL345))
Design Notes
PSI5 supplies power to the MMA5206KW through a current-limiting resistor on the VCC line; therefore a low-ESR storage capacitor must be placed as close as possible to pin 1 (VCC) per the NXP datasheet. This capacitor buffers charge during PSI5 sync-pulse current modulations and prevents VCC droop that would corrupt the sensor's PSI5 frame timing. Estimated: for a 12V PSI5 supply at typical 5 mA quiescent current, a 10 uF X7R ceramic in a 0805 or 1206 package is typically adequate; consult the datasheet's PSI5 application section for the exact capacitor value.
The 16-QFN package has an exposed die pad on the underside that must be soldered to the PCB ground pour for thermal dissipation and mechanical robustness. Recommended land pattern uses an array of thermal vias (typically 4-9 vias on a 0.3 mm pitch) under the exposed pad, connecting to internal ground planes. Avoid placing high-speed digital traces directly under the sensor to minimize capacitive coupling into the MEMS g-cell. Per the NXP MMA52xxKW datasheet, the sensor should be mounted on a rigid section of the PCB with solid mechanical attachment to the chassis to ensure accurate acceleration measurement.
Do not omit the external VCC storage capacitor - the sensor will not function reliably on a PSI5 bus without it. Do not route the IDATA line near switching power or motor driver traces; PSI5 is sensitive to bus capacitance and noise that could corrupt the current-modulated frame. Do not exceed the absolute maximum acceleration rating during handling or board assembly; the MEMS g-cell is sensitive to shock events exceeding the full-scale range. Per the manufacturer datasheet, always verify the PSI5 timing parameters against the host ECU's synchronization budget because PSI5 is a time-deterministic protocol that requires precise bus arbitration.
Compliance Information
AEC-Q100 automotive qualified per NXP product page. RoHS and REACH compliant. Lead-free and halogen-free per NXP standard automotive compliance certifications.
