ICM-20948 | InvenSense (a TDK Group Company) | 9-Axis MEMS Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) (3-axis accelerometer + 3-axis gyroscope + 3-axis magnetometer)

Key Specifications

Sensor Combination: 3-axis accelerometer + 3-axis gyroscope + 3-axis magnetometer (AK09916), 9-axis integrated MCM multi-chip module

Accelerometer Full-Scale Range (programmable): ±2g / ±4g / ±8g / ±16g; 16-bit ADC output

Gyroscope Full-Scale Range (programmable): ±250 / ±500 / ±1000 / ±2000 dps; 16-bit ADC output

Magnetometer Full-Scale Range: ±4900μT

On-chip DMP: Built-in Digital Motion Processor for hardware 9-axis sensor fusion

Communication Interfaces: I2C + SPI (Max. 7MHz for SPI), with auxiliary I2C port for connecting additional external sensors

Supply Voltage: VDD 1.71V ~ 3.6V; VDDIO 1.71V ~ 3.6V, compatible with 3.3V MCU systems

Operating Temperature Range: -40℃ ~ +85℃ (Consumer / Industrial general purpose, non AEC-Q100 automotive grade)

Package: QFN-24, ultra-small SMD 3×3×1mm

On-chip Resources: Built-in temperature sensor, programmable digital filter, 1KB FIFO data buffer

Power Consumption: Typical 3mA under 9-axis fusion mode; ultra-low sleep mode, suitable for battery-powered devices

Main Features

Built-in DMP hardware attitude calculation: The 9-axis fusion algorithm runs directly inside the chip, outputting quaternions and Euler angles, greatly reducing computing load on main controllers such as STM32H7/F4. It is a typical edge-side calculation solution.

Factory pre-calibration and runtime self-calibration supported to reduce customer production calibration cost.

FIFO buffer for batch sensor data storage, reducing frequent MCU reading, bus occupancy and power consumption.

Programmable interrupts: motion detection, wake-up and attitude interrupts, capable of waking up the MCU.

Auxiliary I2C port: Supports extension with external sensors.

Programmable low-power modes with motion wake-up, ideal for battery-powered portable equipment.

Supports EIS electronic image stabilization synchronization (for camera anti-shake applications).

Applications

Drones & Robotics (Key Target Customers)

Attitude detection and heading lock for small multi-rotor flight controllers and gimbals

Attitude, heading and position estimation for AGV mobile robots

Hand / body attitude sensing for small humanoid robots

AR/VR

Head tracking and motion capture for VR headsets and motion controllers

Wearable Devices

Pedometer, motion recognition and posture capture for sports bands and smart watches

IoT & Industrial Equipment

Attitude and orientation detection for portable acquisition instruments and sensor modules

Antenna gimbal orientation and platform stabilization control

Consumer Electronics

Attitude sensing and electronic image stabilization for smartphones and tablets

Remarks

Important: ICM-20948 is NRND (Not Recommended for New Designs). The manufacturer no longer recommends it for new projects; only existing legacy projects are supported. ICM-42607-P is preferred for new designs.

Advantages: Built-in DMP hardware fusion, low MCU load, simple BOM and compact size.

Competitor: LSM9DS1 (ST 9-axis IMU).

Recommended matching MCUs: STM32F405, STM32H743, connected via high-speed SPI.