MPX4250A - 250 kPa MAP Pressure Sensor, On-Chip Conditioned | NXP
MPN: MPX4250A ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $13.5 | $13.50 |
| 10 | $12.1 | $121.00 |
| 100 | $10.75 | $1,075.00 |
| 500 | $9.6 | $4,800.00 |
| 1,000 | $8.95 | $8,950.00 |
MPX4250A Overview
A manifold absolute pressure sensor is a piezoresistive transducer that converts an absolute pressure referenced to a sealed internal vacuum into a calibrated voltage. MAP sensors sit at the boundary between physical sensing and electronic signal conditioning, providing a high-level analog output that connects directly to an ECU's analog-to-digital input. They form a key subcategory of board-mount pressure sensors within the broader sensor hierarchy: pressure sensor -> transducer -> sensor IC -> signal conditioning IC -> semiconductor.
Key features of the MPX4250A include a maximum pressure rating of 1000 kPa, supply voltage range of 4.85 V to 5.35 V (typically 5.0 V), sensitivity of approximately 18.4 mV/kPa, response time of 1.0 ms, and a full operating temperature range of -40 C to +125 C. The monolithic silicon die uses piezoresistive bridges fabricated with bipolar-compatible thin-film metallization and micromachined diaphragms.
The output transfer function is approximately VOUT = VSUPPLY x (0.004 x P - 0.04) - 0.04 V + VSUPPLY x 0.04 with the supplied transfer function Vout = Vsup x (0.01058 x P - 0.1518), where P is pressure in kPa. At 5.0 V supply, 0 kPa produces nominally 0.25 V, 100 kPa produces about 2.45 V, 200 kPa produces about 4.65 V, and 250 kPa produces 4.90 V. The on-chip temperature compensation holds accuracy within the datasheet-specified error band across the full -40 C to +125 C automotive-grade window.
Typical applications include automotive engine control units, where the MAP sensor feeds the ECU for air-mass calculation and fuel injection timing, motorcycle and small-engine fuel injection, industrial vacuum monitoring, altitude-corrected barometric pressure measurement, and HVAC blower-pressure feedback loops. The wide 250 kPa span aligns naturally with naturally-aspirated gasoline intake manifolds and the 1.0 atmosphere operating point of sealed-vacuum-referenced MAP designs.
When designing with this part, place a small RC low-pass filter at the Vout pin to suppress high-frequency EMC artifacts, and ensure the pneumatic port is sealed against moisture. Because the part uses a sealed vacuum reference and absolute pressure measurement, no altitude correction at installation is required - which differs from gauge-pressure sensors requiring vent tubes. The datasheet provides a complete transfer function polynomial plus worst-case error band including nonlinearity, temperature hysteresis, and pressure hysteresis.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in package-same alternatives from the MPX4250 family, and design considerations not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for MPX4250A — 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 MPX4250A (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Mounting Type, Operating Pressure Range, Output Type, Output Voltage Range, Pressure Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MPX4250AP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →MPX4250GP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →MPX4250DP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →MPX4250AC6T1
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MPX4250AC6U
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MPX4250A Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Sensor Type | Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP), sealed vacuum reference |
| Pressure Range | 20 kPa to 250 kPa (2.9 PSI to 36.3 PSI) |
| Operating Pressure Range | 20 to 250 kPa absolute |
| Output Type | Analog, ratiometric to supply voltage |
| Output Voltage Range | 0.2 V to 4.9 V (at 5.0 V supply) |
| Supply Voltage | 4.85 V to 5.35 V (5.0 V typical) |
| Sensitivity | Approx. 18.4 mV/kPa (at Vsup = 5.0 V) |
| Response Time | 1.0 ms |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C |
| Package / Case | 6-SIP Module |
| Mounting Type | Through Hole, SIP |
| Port Style | No port / non-port (basic element) |
| On-Chip Signal Conditioning | Yes (amplified, temperature-compensated, calibrated) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (per NXP product page) |
MPX4250A 6-sip module Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for MPX4250A (6-sip module package). Pin numbering, functions, and connection diagrams are defined in the manufacturer datasheet. Refer to it for the exact footprint and soldering guidelines.
No detailed pinout data available for MPX4250A.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
MPX4250A is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Engine Control Unit (MAP), Motorcycle and Small-Engine Fuel Injection, Industrial Vacuum Monitoring, Altitude-Corrected Barometric Reference, HVAC Blower-Pressure Feedback, Engine Management Add-On Modules.
Automotive Engine Control Unit (MAP)
The MPX4250A was originally designed as the manifold absolute pressure sensor feeding an engine ECU to compute air mass and fuel injection timing. Its 20-250 kPa absolute range covers the full sweep from atmospheric (~101 kPa at idle) down to wide-open-throttle vacuum (~30-50 kPa) and up to boosted conditions near 250 kPa, while its 0.2-4.9 V ratiometric output feeds the ECU's 5 V A/D input directly. On-chip temperature compensation and calibration remove the need for external amplifier stages, which is why the MPX4250 family has been the de facto MAP sensor choice in fuel-injected ECUs for decades. The 6-SIP module flange seals directly against the intake manifold with an integrated O-ring, and the monolithic silicon die survives the under-hood environment across -40 C to +125 C. Companion parts include the ECU microcontroller (NXP S12 or MPC5xxx families) and the 5 V LDO regulator powering both the sensor and the ADC reference.
Recommended
Motorcycle and Small-Engine Fuel Injection
Small-displacement motorcycle ECUs and modern outboard-motor / generator EFI controllers use the MPX4250A as the primary manifold-pressure input to their closed-loop fuel algorithms. The 6-SIP through-hole package is rugged enough for vibration-prone two-wheeler installations and the part's tight tolerance on the transfer function allows aftermarket EFI retrofits to drop it in without recalibration for most naturally-aspirated 4-stroke engines. At 5 V supply, the 0.25 V at 0 kPa, 4.65 V at 200 kPa endpoints allow a 10-bit ADC to resolve pressure in well under 1 kPa increments - more than enough for closed-loop fueling. The wide -40 C to +125 C operating window handles the under-seat thermal environment from cold-soak to summer-idle use.
Recommended
Industrial Vacuum Monitoring
Industrial pneumatic systems use the MPX4250A's 20-250 kPa absolute window to monitor vacuum levels in pick-and-place tooling, vacuum-clamp tables, and bag-sealing machines. The on-chip temperature compensation eliminates drift in factory-floor environments that swing from cold start to operating temperature, and the 0.2-4.9 V ratiometric output connects directly to PLC analog inputs and 4-20 mA shunt converters. Because the part references sealed vacuum internally, it does not need a vent tube, simplifying panel-mounting with no atmospheric-reference tubing concern. The 1.0 ms response time tracks pressure pulses in real time, which is useful for vacuum-leak detection in tooling-fixture diagnostics.
Recommended
Altitude-Corrected Barometric Reference
Drones, weather stations, and handheld GPS units use the MPX4250A as a sealed-reference barometric element where the absolute-pressure reading is fed to firmware that computes altitude via the barometric formula. Because the part is sealed-vacuum referenced, no vent tube calibration is needed at installation - the absolute reading is the altitude-corrected reading directly. The 20 kPa floor corresponds to about 9.6 km altitude with the international barometric equation, covering virtually all commercial drone and handheld needs. Several open-source flight-controller firmware packages (INAV, Betaflight) include canned MPX4250 transfer functions for baro-aided altitude hold, and the ratiometric output complements 3.3 V ADC references as easily as 5 V.
Recommended
HVAC Blower-Pressure Feedback
HVAC duct-pressure transducers that drive variable-speed blower control loops can use the MPX4250A for cost-effective feedback of filter-loading differential or duct static pressure. The part's 0.2-4.9 V output feeds directly into HVAC controller boards, and the sealed vacuum reference means a single absolute sensor can replace a differential sensor plus reference plumbing in many blower-control designs. The 6-SIP module flanges directly into the duct wall or air-handler housing, simplifying mechanical assembly relative to SMT pressure ICs that need a separate pressure port. The wide operating temperature range accommodates hot attic and unconditioned mechanical-room installations.
Recommended
Engine Management Add-On Modules
Aftermarket piggyback ECUs, ignition controllers, and wideband O2 controllers often use the MPX4250A as a secondary MAP input for boost-cut fuel-cut strategies and traction-control torque calculations. Its small 6-SIP outline is friendly to the cramped enclosures of an automotive add-on module, and the calibrated output means no firmware-side linearization is required beyond reading the transfer function polynomial from the datasheet. Hobby-grade engine management firmware (MegaSquirt, Speeduino) has canned MPX4250 support and the part's stock availability on breakout boards makes it the default choice for DIY EFI conversions. The pressure range is wide enough to handle naturally-aspirated, mild-boost (under 12 psi) and similar mild-performance street builds.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MPX4250A — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MPX4250AP | MPX4250GP | MPX4250DP | MPX4250AC6T1 | MPX4250AC6U |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | 6-SIP Module | 6-SIP Module - same | 6-SIP Module - same | 6-SIP Module - same | 6-SIP Module - same | 6-SIP Module - same |
| Pressure Range | 20-250 kPa | 20-250 kPa - same | 20-250 kPa - same | 20-250 kPa - same | 20-250 kPa - same | 20-250 kPa - same |
| Pressure Type | Absolute (sealed vacuum ref) | Absolute - same | Absolute - same | Absolute - same | Absolute - same | Absolute - same |
| Output Range | 0.2 V to 4.9 V (at 5 V supply) | 0.2 V to 4.9 V - same | 0.2 V to 4.9 V - same | 0.2 V to 4.9 V - same | 0.2 V to 4.9 V - same | 0.2 V to 4.9 V - same |
| Port Style | No port / non-port element | Axial port 4.93 mm tube | Single side port | Dual port high-pressure | No port - same (T&R variant) | No port - same (Ammo variant) |
| Supply Voltage | 4.85 V to 5.35 V (typ 5.0 V) | 5.0 V typical - same | 5.0 V typical - same | 5.0 V typical - same | 5.0 V typical - same | 5.0 V typical - same |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C - same | -40 C to +125 C - same | -40 C to +125 C - same | -40 C to +125 C - same | -40 C to +125 C - same |
| On-Chip Signal Conditioning | Yes (temp-compensated, calibrated) | Yes - same | Yes - same | Yes - same | Yes - same | Yes - same |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | Active | Active | Active | Active | Active |
Key Differentiators
- Same-family MPX4250AP variant offers axial hose port for in-line applications (vs MPX4250AP)
- Same-family side-port and dual-port variants enable manifold-mount options (vs MPX4250GP / MPX4250DP)
- Tape-and-reel and ammo-pack variant options for high-volume manufacturing (vs MPX4250AC6T1 / MPX4250AC6U)
Design Notes
Keep the MPX4250A module flange clean and dry before installation - any debris between the module and the manifold surface will create a leak path that introduces gauge-pressure error on top of the absolute reading. Torque the mounting screws per the datasheet recommendation (typically 6-8 in-lbs depending on housing material) to avoid cracking the ceramic substrate of the SIP package.
Route the analog Vout trace away from injector and ignition-switching traces and from any coil or relay drivers to minimize coupled noise on the 0.2-4.9 V output signal. Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling cap and a 10 uF bulk cap as close as practical to the Vsup pin (pin 1) so ratiometric operation gives a clean supply to the on-chip amplifier. Use a small RC low-pass filter (e.g. 100 ohm + 100 nF) on Vout at the ADC input to suppress 100 kHz+ EMC artifacts.
Do not connect the sensor port to a pressure source that exceeds 1000 kPa absolute - the overpressure damage threshold is well above the operating range but well below what a careless shop air supply can deliver. Avoid exposing the device to condensation or water ingestion at the pneumatic port; if the application sees moisture, add a hydrophobic membrane in the manifold interface. Finally, do not assume any other MPX4250x variant is a drop-in - many share the package outline but have different transfer function polynomials that must be matched in firmware.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance and AEC-Q100 automotive qualification are indicated per the NXP MPX4250A product page. REACH and conflict-minerals statements are not surfaced in the verified data - consult NXP directly for those compliance attestations before shipping to the EU market.