# GY-521 MPU-6050 6-Axis IMU Module

> 6-axis inertial measurement unit combining a 3-axis accelerometer (±2/4/8/16g) and 3-axis gyroscope (±250-2000°/s) with onboard DMP. I2C interface, 3.3V/5V.

## Quick Facts

- **Brand:** Generic
- **Board Type:** sensor-module
- **Price:** ~$8.5
- **Product Readiness:** developer
- **CPU:** None (passive sensor module, connects to host MCU)
- **CPU Architecture:** N/A
- **CPU Cores:** 0
- **RAM:** None
- **Flash:** none
- **Power:** 3.3V–5V via pin header
- **Operating Voltage:** 3.3V

## Open Source

- **Firmware:** No
- **Schematics:** Yes
- **PCB Layout:** No

## Use Cases

- iot-prototyping
- iot-sensors
- data-logging
- wearable
- fitness-tracker

## Components

- **InvenSense MPU-6050**: Combined 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, and Digital Motion Processor (DMP) in a QFN package — [Datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Finvensense.tdk.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2015%2F02%2FMPU-6000-Datasheet1.pdf&ref=openhardware.directory&product=gy-521-mpu-6050&source=md-export)

## Protocols

- **undefined**

## Description

## Overview

The GY-521 is a breakout board for the InvenSense MPU-6050, one of the most widely used 6-axis IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) sensors. It combines a 3-axis MEMS accelerometer and a 3-axis MEMS gyroscope with an onboard Digital Motion Processor (DMP) that can compute sensor fusion algorithms directly on-chip, offloading the host MCU.

## Key Features

- **6-axis sensing**: 3-axis accelerometer + 3-axis gyroscope
- **Onboard DMP**: Hardware sensor fusion for orientation/quaternion output
- **Configurable ranges**: Accelerometer ±2g to ±16g, gyroscope ±250 to ±2000°/s
- **16-bit ADC**: High-resolution data output for each axis
- **I2C interface**: Up to 400 kHz, auxiliary I2C master for external magnetometer
- **Wide voltage**: 3.3V and 5V compatible via onboard regulator
- **Interrupt pin**: Configurable data-ready and motion detection interrupts

## Specifications

| Parameter | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| Accelerometer range | ±2g, ±4g, ±8g, ±16g (selectable) |
| Gyroscope range | ±250, ±500, ±1000, ±2000 °/s (selectable) |
| ADC resolution | 16-bit per axis |
| I2C address | 0x68 (default) or 0x69 |
| Supply voltage | 3.3V–5V |
| Operating current | 3.9 mA typical |
| Temperature sensor | Built-in (-40°C to +85°C) |

## Getting Started

Connect VCC, GND, SDA, and SCL to your microcontroller. The INT pin can be connected for interrupt-driven reading. Use the MPU6050 library for Arduino or the `mpu6050` MicroPython driver.

## Applications

- Drone and robot stabilization
- Motion tracking and gesture recognition
- Pedometer and activity tracking
- Tilt and vibration sensing
- Self-balancing robots

## Where to Buy

- [OpenELab](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fopenelab.io%2Fproducts%2Fgy-521-mpu-6050&ref=openhardware.directory&product=gy-521-mpu-6050&source=md-export) — $8.50

## Resources

- [product](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fopenelab.io%2Fproducts%2Fgy-521-mpu-6050&ref=openhardware.directory&product=gy-521-mpu-6050&source=md-export)

## Tags

`mpu-6050`, `imu`, `accelerometer`, `gyroscope`, `6-axis`, `i2c`, `motion-sensor`, `invensense`

## Images

![GY-521 MPU-6050 6-Axis IMU Module](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/gy-521-mpu-6050/9fa9f068aa86.jpg)

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