MPX2102A - 100 kPa Absolute Pressure Sensor | NXP Semiconductors
MPN: MPX2102A ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18.5 | $18.50 |
| 10 | $16.2 | $162.00 |
| 100 | $14.05 | $1,405.00 |
| 500 | $12.4 | $6,200.00 |
| 1,000 | $10.95 | $10,950.00 |
MPX2102A Overview
A pressure sensor (also called a pressure transducer) is a device that converts an applied pneumatic or hydraulic pressure into a proportional electrical signal. The MPX2102A belongs to the silicon piezoresistive sensor family, where a single monolithic silicon diaphragm integrates the strain gauge and a thin-film resistor network on-chip; the chip is laser-trimmed for precise span, offset, and temperature compensation across its operating range. Within the broader taxonomy, the part is a MEMS pressure transducer, which sits under sensors > pressure sensors in the electronics hierarchy.
Key differentiating features of the MPX2102A include the absolute pressure reference (sealed vacuum on the reference side of the diaphragm), an on-chip thin-film temperature compensation network calibrated at the factory, an operating temperature range from -40C to +125C, and a typical full-scale span of 40 mV at 10 V supply. The 4-SIP module package (Case 344-15) provides a robust through-hole mounting style with barbed pressure port for hose attachment, suitable for industrial and medical use cases.
The MPX2102A uses a Wheatstone-bridge configuration formed by the on-chip piezoresistors; when pressure deflects the silicon diaphragm, the bridge unbalances and produces a differential millivolt-level output that is proportional to the pressure differential. Because the output is in the millivolt range, designers should pair the sensor with a low-noise, high-CMRR instrumentation amplifier such as an INA128 or AD620 when high resolution is required.
Typical applications include medical instrumentation such as respirators and blood pressure monitors, industrial process control, HVAC barometric measurement, altimeters, vacuum system monitoring, and automotive manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensing. The on-chip temperature compensation eliminates the need for external RTC or thermistor linearization, simplifying firmware.
When integrating the MPX2102A, route the four SIP pins through a low-noise differential ADC front-end and include a 5 kHz low-pass RC filter at the sensor outputs to suppress EMI. The output is ratiometric to the supply, so a stable, low-noise 10 V excitation is critical for achieving the datasheet's 0.25% linearity performance.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, NXP datasheet specifications, drop-in same-family alternatives, and practical signal-conditioning design notes not found in a single manufacturer document.
Drop-in alternatives for MPX2102A — 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 MPX2102A (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Output Type, Mounting Type, Operating Pressure Range, Operating Temperature, Supply Voltage.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MPX2102ASX
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$10.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →MPX2102AP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$9.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →MPX2102DP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$9.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →MPX2100A
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.94 / Unit
View Datasheet →MPX2010
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MPX2102A Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Pressure Type | Absolute |
| Operating Pressure Range | 20 kPa to 100 kPa |
| Output Type | Analog voltage (Wheatstone bridge, differential) |
| Output Span | 0 mV to 40 mV at 10 V supply |
| Supply Voltage (Excitation) | 10 V typical |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C |
| Package / Case | 4-SIP Module (Case 344-15), through-hole |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole (SIP) |
| Port Style | Barbed pressure port (axial) |
| Technology | Silicon piezoresistive (MEMS) with on-chip thin-film compensation |
| Temperature Compensation | On-chip (laser trimmed) -40C to +125C |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (per NXP product page) |
| MSL Level | Not applicable (through-hole, no moisture sensitivity rating) |
MPX2102A Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | Vout+ — Positive differential output of the Wheatstone bridge |
| Pin 2 | GND — Bridge ground / common reference (return for 10 V excitation) |
| Pin 3 | Vs — Bridge excitation supply input (typically 10 V DC) |
| Pin 4 | Vout- — Negative differential output of the Wheatstone bridge |
Typical Applications
MPX2102A is suitable for 7 applications: Medical Respiratory & Ventilator Pressure Monitoring, Industrial Process Control & HVAC Pressure Sensing, Barometric Altimeter & Weather Station Reference, Automotive Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) Sensing, Non-Invasive Blood Pressure (NIBP) Cuff Monitoring, Vacuum System & Leak Test Instrumentation, Bicycle & E-Bike Suspension Pressure Telemetry.
Medical Respiratory & Ventilator Pressure Monitoring
The MPX2102A's 20 kPa to 100 kPa absolute range aligns precisely with the airway pressures encountered in CPAP, BiPAP, and ventilator circuits, where pressures are typically 4 kPa to 30 kPa at the patient wye. The on-chip temperature compensation from -40C to +125C holds accuracy across body-temperature warm-up cycles and room-temperature standby without external linearization, simplifying FDA 510(k) documentation. The millivolt-level output pairs cleanly with an INA128 instrumentation amplifier that adds only 8 nV/sqrt(Hz) input noise, so the sensor's intrinsic noise floor dominates total system noise. Unlike a digital I2C pressure IC the analog output avoids I2C address conflicts on multi-parameter patient monitors that already host SpO2 and flow sensors on the same bus. Together these traits make the MPX2102A a proven legacy choice in respiratory care devices where designers value a continuous-time analog output for real-time closed-loop pressure control.
Recommended
Industrial Process Control & HVAC Pressure Sensing
Industrial HVAC and process-control loops routinely need an absolute barometric pressure reference that reports 70 kPa to 105 kPa at duct, cleanroom, or vacuum-chamber inlets, a range that fits the MPX2102A's 20 kPa to 100 kPa calibrated span with comfortable headroom. The 4-SIP Case 344-15 module's barbed port accepts 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch tubing directly, eliminating the need for a separate manifold block during panel mounting. The on-chip thin-film resistor network compensates for the 0C to +50C ambient fluctuations typical of building automation enclosures, so calibration intervals can be extended beyond one year. With a 10 V excitation rail and a stable +5 V post-regulation rail (via TL431), the sensor output remains ratiometric and drift-free over long operating campaigns. This makes the MPX2102A suited for cleanroom differential-pressure alarms, variable-air-volume (VAV) box feedback, and vacuum-pump leak-rate integrators where the analog output feeds a PLC analog input module without firmware changes.
Recommended
Barometric Altimeter & Weather Station Reference
Handheld altimeters, drone telemetry, and amateur weather stations depend on absolute barometric pressure in the 60 kPa to 105 kPa range, exactly where the MPX2102A delivers its best linearity. A 1 kPa resolution reading corresponds to about 8 meters of altitude change at sea level, and the MPX2102A's 40 mV full-scale span divided across a 12-bit ADC yields about 1 kPa per LSB after amplification - adequate for hiking-grade altimeters. The piezoresistive diaphragm settles within a few milliseconds of step-pressure changes, fast enough for handheld weather instruments that re-zero frequently. Designers typically drive the sensor with a low-noise 10 V rail and a 1 kHz low-pass filter to reject wind-gust noise that aliases onto the static pressure reading. When paired with a small MCU such as an STM32G0, the analog output avoids the I2C bus contention seen in designs that already use digital temperature and humidity sensors.
Recommended
Automotive Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) Sensing
Automotive engine-control units historically use a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor in the 20 kPa to 100 kPa range with a ratiometric analog output that interfaces directly with an ECU ADC channel. The MPX2102A's on-chip temperature compensation across -40C to +125C covers the under-hood thermal envelope without external thermistors, reducing BOM cost for low-volume aftermarket ECU designs. Its 40 mV full-scale output requires only a single op-amp gain stage before the ECU's 10-bit or 12-bit ADC, leaving more computation headroom for fuel-mapping algorithms. Unlike a sealed-package surface-mount MAP sensor, the 4-SIP through-hole body of the MPX2102A allows service technicians to probe the sensor pins directly during garage diagnostics. Mechanic-grade MAP scanners, dyno-cell ECU kits, and aftermarket automotive ECUs (Megasquirt, Speeduino) commonly pair this sensor with a barometric-correction firmware table.
Recommended
Non-Invasive Blood Pressure (NIBP) Cuff Monitoring
Electronic sphygmomanometers and ambulatory NIBP monitors inflate a cuff to 30 kPa to 40 kPa and use a pressure transducer to detect systolic and diastolic Korotkoff or oscillometric pulse amplitudes. The MPX2102A's 20 kPa to 100 kPa absolute range comfortably accommodates cuff pressures plus a few kPa of overpressure margin, and its 40 mV analog span is easily amplified for an ADC sampling the cuff deflation curve. The on-chip temperature compensation rejects the 5C to 40C drift typical of clinic examination rooms, preserving measurement accuracy per ISO 81060-2 without a periodic field calibration. Patient-leakage current is dominated by the cable harness rather than the sensor itself, simplifying IEC 60601-1 medical safety qualification compared with digital modules that require I2C pull-ups tied to patient-accessible circuits. The through-hole SIP body also supports hand-repairable field servicing of clinic-grade NIBP carts in low-resource settings.
Recommended
Vacuum System & Leak Test Instrumentation
Vacuum-chamber controllers, helium-leak detector fixtures, and freeze-dryer gauges need a stable absolute-pressure reference that resolves low-kPa changes from 5 kPa down to a few Pa. The MPX2102A's 20 kPa to 100 kPa absolute span covers the rough-vacuum range used by laboratory and process vacuum systems, and its ratiometric analog output responds continuously without the I2C polling-latency artifacts that complicate fast valve-control loops. The 4-SIP Case 344-15 module mounts directly to a vacuum-line barbed fitting, eliminating dead-volume T-junctions that would otherwise slow system pumpdown. With a low-noise amplifier feeding a 16-bit ADC, designers can resolve sub-kPa leak-rate slopes over multi-minute test intervals for chamber-integrity certification. The wide -40C to +125C operating range also tolerates bake-out cycles used to degas vacuum chambers before high-vacuum operation.
Recommended
Bicycle & E-Bike Suspension Pressure Telemetry
Mountain-bike suspension forks and rear shocks operate at 50 kPa to 100 kPa (7 PSI to 14 PSI) of precharge nitrogen, and aftermarket service tools need an accurate absolute-pressure read-back during setup and dyno testing. The MPX2102A's millivolt-level differential output feeds a small handheld amplifier and Bluetooth transmitter (such as an HM-10 module), giving technicians a wireless digital readout without relying on app-exclusive smart sensors. The 4-SIP through-hole format accepts quick-connect pneumatic fittings from bicycle-service tooling, speeding in-shop tune-ups compared to dial gauges that require manual deflation. Compensation across -10C to +50C covers heated service bays and winter trailhead starts without thermal drift in the baseline reading. For e-bike manufacturers building CAN-bus suspension controllers, the analog output stays independent of competing digital protocols on the same harness.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MPX2102A — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MPX2102ASX | MPX2102AP | MPX2102DP | MPX2100A | MPX2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 4-SIP Module (Case 344-15) | 4-SIP Module (Case 344-15) - same | 4-SIP Module (Case 344-15) - same | 4-SIP Module (Case 344-15) - same | 4-SIP Module (Case 344-15) - same | 4-SIP Module (Case 344-style) - same footprint |
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors - same | NXP Semiconductors - same | NXP Semiconductors - same | NXP Semiconductors - same | NXP Semiconductors - same |
| Pressure Type | Absolute | Absolute | Absolute | Differential | Absolute (higher range) | Differential/Gauge (lower range) |
| Output Span | 0 mV to 40 mV at 10 V supply | 0 mV to 40 mV at 10 V | 0 mV to 40 mV at 10 V | 0 mV to 40 mV at 10 V | 0 mV to 40 mV at 10 V | ~25 mV at 10 V (lower span) |
| Supply Voltage | 10 V typical | 10 V typical | 10 V typical | 10 V typical | 10 V typical | 10 V typical |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +125C |
| On-Chip Temperature Compensation | Yes (laser-trimmed) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Active (per NXP portfolio) |
Key Differentiators
- Absolute vacuum reference built into the same package (vs MPX2102DP)
- Calibrated absolute pressure range that maps directly to barometric applications (vs MPX2010)
- On-chip laser-trimmed thin-film temperature compensation (vs Discreet piezoresistive bridges (untrimmed))
Design Notes
The MPX2102A's 40 mV full-scale differential output is small enough that PCB trace routing matters significantly. Route the two differential output traces (Vout+ and Vout-) as a tightly coupled pair over a continuous ground plane, with matched trace lengths to within 5 mm. Estimated: a 25 mm length mismatch and 10 mm spacing picks up roughly 0.5 mV of common-mode noise per ampere of digital logic current crossing the pair, which corresponds to about 1.25% full-scale error. Add a 10 kohm differential resistor and a 1 nF cap at the instrumentation amplifier inputs to form a 16 kHz first-order low-pass filter that rejects digital switching noise from any nearby MCU or LED driver.
The MPX2102A requires a low-noise 10 V excitation supply because the bridge output is ratiometric; any drift on the 10 V rail directly scales the 40 mV full-scale span. Use a low-dropout regulator such as the LT3042 or a precision zener reference like the LM4040 driving a buffer op-amp to produce the 10 V rail. Estimated: a 5 mV ripple on the excitation rail translates to 20 uV of input-referred noise at the ADC, an unacceptable error budget for barometric measurement. Decouple the Vs pin with a 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor placed within 3 mm of the sensor pin to suppress inductive ringing during transient load steps.
Do not place the MPX2102A's barbed port facing upward in condensing-humidity environments, because condensate can pool inside the port and saturate the diaphragm. If condensation is expected, drip-loop the inlet tubing downward so that any condensate drains back to the source rather than collecting inside the sensor's port cavity. Estimated: an absolute sensor that soaks in distilled water may read several kPa low due to dissolved-gas-induced reference drift, an effect that disappears only after the diaphragm fully dries - a process that may take hours. For long-term reliability, apply silicone conformal coating to the PCB and seal the barbed port with a low-permeability elastomeric O-ring when the application allows.
The 4-SIP Case 344-15 package has 0.1 inch (2.54 mm) lead pitch and three vertical through-hole pins plus one offset pin on the body. Reserve 6 mm of clearance above the package for the barbed axial port, which extends roughly 8 mm above the body shoulder in standard leads-from configuration. Keep high-current switching traces (relays, motors, solenoids) at least 10 mm away from the sensor's differential output traces to avoid magnetostrictive pickup. Estimated: a 1 A pulsed current flowing 5 mm from the output pair for 1 us induces about 1.5 mV of inductive kick - more than 3% of full-scale span. If relay switching is unavoidable, place a 100 ohm resistor and ferrite bead in series with the relay coil to snub transients before they couple into the sensor traces.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance per NXP product page and product disclosure documents. Not AEC-Q100 qualified for automotive safety-critical applications. Lead-free (Pb-free) manufacturing. Halogen-free status not explicitly published for this obsolete part number; request latest MDDS document from NXP if halogen-free status is required.
