ADXL345 GY-291 3-Axis Digital Accelerometer Module

Measure acceleration, movement, vibration and tilt with this compact GY-291 sensor module. It uses the ADXL345 three-axis digital accelerometer to measure acceleration along the X, Y and Z axes.

The selectable ±2g, ±4g, ±8g and ±16g ranges allow the module to be configured for anything from sensitive tilt detection to higher-impact motion measurements. Sensor data is available through either an I²C or SPI digital interface, making the module suitable for Arduino, ESP32, Raspberry Pi and other microcontroller projects.

The ADXL345 also provides activity, inactivity, single-tap, double-tap and free-fall detection functions, along with two configurable interrupt outputs and an internal 32-level FIFO buffer.

Features

• ADXL345 three-axis digital accelerometer
• Measures acceleration on the X, Y and Z axes
• Selectable ±2g, ±4g, ±8g and ±16g ranges
• Resolution up to 13 bits
• Supports I²C and three-wire or four-wire SPI
• Activity and inactivity detection
• Single-tap and double-tap detection
• Free-fall detection
• Two configurable interrupt outputs
• Integrated 32-level FIFO buffer
• Low-power operation
• Compact GY-291 breakout-board format
• Mounting holes for secure installation
• Unsoldered header pins included

Specifications

• Module model: GY-291
• Sensor IC: ADXL345
• Sensor type: Digital MEMS accelerometer
• Number of axes: 3
• Measurement axes: X, Y and Z
• Measurement ranges: ±2g, ±4g, ±8g and ±16g
• Maximum resolution: 13 bit
• Digital output format: 16-bit two’s complement
• Interfaces: I²C, three-wire SPI or four-wire SPI
• Module supply voltage: 3V to 5V DC
• ADXL345 I/O voltage range: 1.7V to 3.6V
• Operating temperature: approximately -40°C to +85°C
• Approximate board dimensions: 21mm × 16mm

Pin connections

• GND: Ground
• VCC: Module power input
• CS: SPI chip select/I²C mode selection
• INT1: Configurable interrupt output 1
• INT2: Configurable interrupt output 2
• SDO: SPI data output/I²C address selection
• SDA: I²C data/SPI data input
• SCL: I²C clock/SPI clock

Applications

• Tilt and orientation sensing
• Motion and activity detection
• Vibration monitoring
• Tap-activated controls
• Free-fall detection
• Robotics projects
• Data logging
• Alarm and security projects
• Arduino and microcontroller experiments
• 3D-printer vibration measurement with compatible hardware and software

Compatibility

Suitable for use with platforms including:

• Arduino
• ESP32
• ESP8266
• Raspberry Pi
• STM32
• AVR
• PIC
• Other I²C- or SPI-capable controllers

Important information

Although the module power input may accept up to 5V, the ADXL345’s digital I/O pins are not designed for 5V logic. Use 3.3V logic or a suitable logic-level converter when connecting it to a 5V microcontroller unless your particular implementation provides verified level shifting.

This module measures linear acceleration only. It does not contain a gyroscope and is therefore not a direct functional replacement for an MPU-6050 or GY-521 six-axis accelerometer and gyroscope module.

Some soldering may be required. The supplied header pins are normally not pre-installed.

Package contents

• 1 × ADXL345 GY-291 three-axis accelerometer module
• 1 × Male header-pin strip