GY-511 LSM303DLHC 3-Axis Accelerometer & Magnetometer for Arduino
GY-511 LSM303DLHC E-Compass Module – 3-Axis Accelerometer + 3-Axis Magnetometer for Arduino
The GY-511 LSM303DLHC module is a compact, high-performance sensor combining a 3-axis accelerometer and a 3-axis magnetometer into a single easy-to-use breakout board. Whether you're building a digital compass, an inertial navigation system, or a motion-sensing project, this module delivers accurate orientation and magnetic field data over a simple I²C interface — perfectly compatible with Arduino and other microcontroller platforms.
Made in Mainland China.
Key Features
- Dual Sensor in One: Combines the LSM303DLHC's 3-axis linear accelerometer and 3-axis magnetic field sensor for full 6-DOF motion and heading data.
- Wide Supply Voltage: Operates on 3–5V thanks to an onboard low-dropout voltage regulator — compatible with both 3.3V and 5V systems.
- I²C Interface: Simple two-wire communication for seamless integration with Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and other popular development platforms.
- SMD Package: Compact surface-mount design keeps your build tidy and lightweight.
- Wide Operating Temperature: Rated from -40°C to +85°C, suitable for demanding environments.
- No Hazardous Chemicals: RoHS-friendly — no high-concern substances.
- Ready to Use: Ships brand new in excellent condition, ideal for prototyping and production alike.
Technical Specifications
| Sensor IC | LSM303DLHC |
| Axes | 3-Axis Accelerometer + 3-Axis Magnetometer |
| Supply Voltage | 3V – 5V (onboard LDO regulator) |
| Interface | I²C |
| Package | SMD |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +85°C |
| Condition | New |
| Origin | Mainland China |
What You Can Build
- Digital E-Compass and heading indicator
- Drone / UAV attitude sensing
- Robot orientation and navigation
- Tilt sensing and gesture recognition
- IoT motion-tracking devices
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the GY-511 LSM303DLHC module compatible with Arduino?
A: Yes! The GY-511 LSM303DLHC module communicates via I²C, making it fully compatible with Arduino Uno, Nano, Mega, and most other Arduino boards. Libraries such as Adafruit's LSM303 library make it straightforward to read accelerometer and magnetometer data in your sketches.
Q: Does this module work with both 3.3V and 5V systems?
A: Absolutely. The GY-511 module includes an onboard low-dropout (LDO) voltage regulator, allowing it to accept supply voltages from 3V to 5V. This makes it compatible with 3.3V platforms like ESP8266 and ESP32 as well as standard 5V Arduino boards.
Q: What is the difference between the accelerometer and magnetometer on this module?
A: The 3-axis accelerometer measures linear acceleration and tilt (gravity vector), while the 3-axis magnetometer measures the surrounding magnetic field — including Earth's magnetic field for compass heading. Together, they enable full orientation tracking and an electronic compass (e-compass) in your project.
Q: How do I connect the GY-511 module to my microcontroller?
A: Simply connect VCC to your 3.3V or 5V power pin, GND to ground, SDA to your microcontroller's I²C data line, and SCL to the I²C clock line. No additional components are required for basic operation.