SparkFun
SparkFun 9DoF IMU Breakout - ICM-20948 (Qwiic)
Best motion-tracking sensor for wearable and IoT prototyping.
Unlock advanced motion tracking with the SparkFun 9DoF IMU Breakout, powered by the Invensense ICM-20948. This versatile board offers 9-axis sensing, combining a gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer for comprehensive data. Its Qwiic system ensures effortless, solder-free prototyping, while standard 0.1" pins are available for breadboarding. The integrated Digital Motion Processor (DMP) handles complex calculations, reducing host processor load. Designed for low power consumption, it's perfect for wearables, IoT projects, and mobile applications requiring precise motion data via I2C or SPI.
$21.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
606
/ 1541
#606 in Development Boards
Price vs Category Average
-75%
Below average
Supply Voltage
1.953.6
/ V to V
Who it's for
- Prototypers needing rapid, solderless sensor integration
- Engineers requiring high-precision motion and orientation data
- Developers seeking reliable documentation and ready-to-use code
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious makers comparing prices against generic alternatives
- Beginners intimidated by complex sensor fusion and calibration
- Designers working in environments with high electromagnetic interference
Performance breakdown
Prototyping Speed
The Qwiic ecosystem makes hardware integration nearly instantaneous.
Processing Efficiency
Onboard DMP offloads complex motion math from your main microcontroller.
Sensor Versatility
Nine axes of data provide a comprehensive foundation for advanced tracking.
Power Optimization
Low-power architecture is ideal for battery-operated wearables and IoT devices.
Connectivity Flexibility
Dual interface support allows for easy switching between I2C and SPI.
Breadboard Compatibility
Standard pin spacing ensures seamless integration into existing development setups.
Key Specs
Supply Voltage
1.95 V to 3.6 V
Measurement Axes
9 (Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Magnetometer)
Accelerometer Range
±2g, ±4g, ±8g, and ±16g
Gyroscope Range
±250 dps, ±500 dps, ±1000 dps, and ±2000 dps
Magnetometer Range
±4900 µT
Communication Interface
I2C (up to 400 kHz) or SPI (up to 7 MHz)
Processor
On-board Digital Motion Processor (DMP)
Temperature Sensor
Digital-output
Features
- 9-axis motion tracking
- Solder-free Qwiic connection
- Onboard Digital Motion Processor (DMP)
- Extremely low power consumption
- Breadboard-friendly design
- Supports I2C and SPI interfaces
- Includes logic shifter
- Digital temperature sensing
What customers say
Users overwhelmingly value this breakout board for its superior performance and integration convenience. The advanced ICM20948 chip delivers exceptional data fidelity, particularly noting improved magnetometer stability for precise orientation tracking in robotics and motion capture. A major highlight is the Qwiic connector, which drastically simplifies wiring and speeds up prototyping for all skill levels. While the sensor fusion algorithms require external expertise, the overall user experience is excellent due to strong documentation and reliable libraries. Customers agree that the premium quality and ease of use fully justify the investment, leading to high satisfaction.
Know before you buy
This board combines a 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis gyroscope, and a 3-axis magnetometer. Together, these sensors track linear acceleration, angular velocity, and magnetic field orientation, providing a complete picture of an object's movement and position in 3D space.
Yes, if you use the Qwiic connection system. It allows you to plug the board directly into other Qwiic-enabled devices using a standard cable, making it ideal for rapid, solder-free prototyping.
The DMP offloads complex motion-processing calculations from your main microcontroller. This reduces the processing burden on your host board, allowing for more efficient code and faster response times.
Yes, it supports both. You can use I2C for simpler setups with fewer wires or switch to SPI if you need higher data transfer speeds, up to 7 MHz.
Yes, the default I2C address is 0x69, but you can change it to 0x68 by closing the jumper on the board. This allows you to connect two of these IMUs to the same I2C bus.
Absolutely. The ICM-20948 is designed for extremely low power consumption, making it an excellent choice for wearables and other IoT devices that need to run for long periods on a single battery charge.
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