1. Product Overview
The BMX160 from Bosch Sensortec is a highly integrated 9-axis MEMS inertial measurement unit (IMU) that combines a 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, and 3-axis magnetometer in a single compact package. It offers a complete 9DoF sensor solution ideal for low-power, space-constrained embedded systems. The magnetometer leverages Bosch’s proprietary BMM150 technology, delivering excellent sensitivity and thermal stability.
2. Key Technical Specifications
Parameter | Specification |
Accelerometer Range | ±2g / ±4g / ±8g / ±16g (configurable) |
Gyroscope Range | ±125°/s to ±2000°/s (configurable) |
Magnetometer Range | ±1300 μT (X/Y), ±2500 μT (Z) |
Operating Voltage | 1.71V – 3.6V (typical 1.8V) |
Output Data Rate (ODR) | Up to 1600 Hz |
Interfaces | I²C / SPI with multi-device bus compatibility |
Typical Power Consumption | 0.9 mA (Normal mode) |
Power Modes | Normal / Low Power / Suspend (as low as 2 μA) |
Package | LGA-24, 2.5 × 3.0 × 0.8 mm |
Operating Temperature | -40°C to +85°C |
Environmental Compliance | RoHS, REACH compliant |
3. System-Level Advantages
- Integrated 3-in-1 Package: Reduces component count and PCB footprint—ideal for compact hardware designs.
- Flexible Communication: Supports both I²C and SPI with configurable slave addresses, enabling shared-bus architectures.
- On-Chip FIFO and Interrupts: Minimizes host processor load through hardware buffering and event management.
- Software Ecosystem: Bosch offers open-source drivers and a Sensor Fusion Library to streamline application development involving orientation tracking and heading estimation.
4. Typical Application Scenarios
Application Area | Use Case Examples |
Wearables | Gesture recognition, gait monitoring, heading tracking |
Mobile Devices | Screen orientation detection, AR/VR motion input |
Industrial Automation | Tool activity monitoring, motion compensation |
Smart Logistics | Package orientation detection, inertial navigation aid |
Education Platforms | Embedded system development, posture recognition demos |
5. Product Comparison: BMX160 vs. Related Bosch IMUs
Model | Sensor Combo | Performance | Power (Typ.) | Package (mm) | Features & Use Cases |
BMX160 | Acc + Gyro + Magnetometer | Full 9DoF, ODR up to 1600 Hz | 0.9 mA | 2.5 × 3.0 × 0.8 | Compact, high-integration IMU for multi-axis sensing |
Acc + Gyro + Fuser Core | Integrated fusion + ML | 1.5 mA (incl. MCU) | 3.0 × 4.1 × 0.95 | AI-enabled, suitable for smart wearables | |
9DoF + MCU + Fusion Engine | Euler/quaternion output | 12 mA | 3.8 × 5.2 × 1.1 | Built-in MCU and fusion logic, plug-and-play | |
Accelerometer + Gyroscope | 6DoF baseline IMU | 0.8 mA | 2.5 × 3.0 × 0.8 | Simplified version of BMX160, without magnetometer |
Note: All specifications are typical values. The final selection should consider system-level power budgeting, algorithm requirements, and packaging constraints.
With its compact footprint, low power consumption, high sensor integration, and flexible interface options, the BMX160 delivers a reliable and efficient 9-axis sensing solution for modern embedded systems. It offers excellent trade-offs in terms of system design flexibility, sensor fusion compatibility, and hardware efficiency, making it a strong choice for applications requiring motion tracking, trajectory analysis, and orientation detection.
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