Accelerometer not working

Hi,

I bought an accelerometer like this: MMA8452Q (MMA7361) module digital triaxial accelerometer precision tilt 3-Axis | eBay

I tryed that code:

/* 
 MMA8452Q Basic Example Code
 Nathan Seidle
 SparkFun Electronics
 November 5, 2012
 
 License: This code is public domain but you buy me a beer if you use this and we meet someday (Beerware license).
 
 This example code shows how to read the X/Y/Z accelerations and basic functions of the MMA5842. It leaves out
 all the neat features this IC is capable of (tap, orientation, and inerrupts) and just displays X/Y/Z. See 
 the advanced example code to see more features.
 
 Hardware setup:
 MMA8452 Breakout ------------ Arduino
 3.3V --------------------- 3.3V
 SDA -------^^(330)^^------- A4
 SCL -------^^(330)^^------- A5
 GND ---------------------- GND
 
 The MMA8452 is 3.3V so we recommend using 330 or 1k resistors between a 5V Arduino and the MMA8452 breakout.
 
 The MMA8452 has built in pull-up resistors for I2C so you do not need additional pull-ups.
 */

#include <Wire.h> // Used for I2C

// The SparkFun breakout board defaults to 1, set to 0 if SA0 jumper on the bottom of the board is set
#define MMA8452_ADDRESS 0x1D  // 0x1D if SA0 is high, 0x1C if low

//Define a few of the registers that we will be accessing on the MMA8452
#define OUT_X_MSB 0x01
#define XYZ_DATA_CFG  0x0E
#define WHO_AM_I   0x0D
#define CTRL_REG1  0x2A

#define GSCALE 2 // Sets full-scale range to +/-2, 4, or 8g. Used to calc real g values.

void setup()
{
  Serial.begin(57600);
  Serial.println("MMA8452 Basic Example");

  Wire.begin(); //Join the bus as a master

  initMMA8452(); //Test and intialize the MMA8452
}

void loop()
{  
  int accelCount[3];  // Stores the 12-bit signed value
  readAccelData(accelCount);  // Read the x/y/z adc values

  // Now we'll calculate the accleration value into actual g's
  float accelG[3];  // Stores the real accel value in g's
  for (int i = 0 ; i < 3 ; i++)
  {
    accelG[i] = (float) accelCount[i] / ((1<<12)/(2*GSCALE));  // get actual g value, this depends on scale being set
  }

  // Print out values
  for (int i = 0 ; i < 3 ; i++)
  {
    Serial.print(accelG[i], 4);  // Print g values
    Serial.print("\t");  // tabs in between axes
  }
  Serial.println();

  delay(10);  // Delay here for visibility
}

void readAccelData(int *destination)
{
  byte rawData[6];  // x/y/z accel register data stored here

  readRegisters(OUT_X_MSB, 6, rawData);  // Read the six raw data registers into data array

  // Loop to calculate 12-bit ADC and g value for each axis
  for(int i = 0; i < 3 ; i++)
  {
    int gCount = (rawData[i*2] << 8) | rawData[(i*2)+1];  //Combine the two 8 bit registers into one 12-bit number
    gCount >>= 4; //The registers are left align, here we right align the 12-bit integer

    // If the number is negative, we have to make it so manually (no 12-bit data type)
    if (rawData[i*2] > 0x7F)
    {  
      gCount = ~gCount + 1;
      gCount *= -1;  // Transform into negative 2's complement #
    }

    destination[i] = gCount; //Record this gCount into the 3 int array
  }
}

// Initialize the MMA8452 registers 
// See the many application notes for more info on setting all of these registers:
// http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/site/prod_summary.jsp?code=MMA8452Q
void initMMA8452()
{
  byte c = readRegister(WHO_AM_I);  // Read WHO_AM_I register
  if (c == 0x2A) // WHO_AM_I should always be 0x2A
  {  
    Serial.println("MMA8452Q is online...");
  }
  else
  {
    Serial.print("Could not connect to MMA8452Q: 0x");
    Serial.println(c, HEX);
    while(1) ; // Loop forever if communication doesn't happen
  }

  MMA8452Standby();  // Must be in standby to change registers

  // Set up the full scale range to 2, 4, or 8g.
  byte fsr = GSCALE;
  if(fsr > 8) fsr = 8; //Easy error check
  fsr >>= 2; // Neat trick, see page 22. 00 = 2G, 01 = 4A, 10 = 8G
  writeRegister(XYZ_DATA_CFG, fsr);

  //The default data rate is 800Hz and we don't modify it in this example code

  MMA8452Active();  // Set to active to start reading
}

// Sets the MMA8452 to standby mode. It must be in standby to change most register settings
void MMA8452Standby()
{
  byte c = readRegister(CTRL_REG1);
  writeRegister(CTRL_REG1, c & ~(0x01)); //Clear the active bit to go into standby
}

// Sets the MMA8452 to active mode. Needs to be in this mode to output data
void MMA8452Active()
{
  byte c = readRegister(CTRL_REG1);
  writeRegister(CTRL_REG1, c | 0x01); //Set the active bit to begin detection
}

// Read bytesToRead sequentially, starting at addressToRead into the dest byte array
void readRegisters(byte addressToRead, int bytesToRead, byte * dest)
{
  Wire.beginTransmission(MMA8452_ADDRESS);
  Wire.write(addressToRead);
  Wire.endTransmission(false); //endTransmission but keep the connection active

  Wire.requestFrom(MMA8452_ADDRESS, bytesToRead); //Ask for bytes, once done, bus is released by default

  while(Wire.available() < bytesToRead); //Hang out until we get the # of bytes we expect

  for(int x = 0 ; x < bytesToRead ; x++)
    dest[x] = Wire.read();    
}

// Read a single byte from addressToRead and return it as a byte
byte readRegister(byte addressToRead)
{
  Wire.beginTransmission(MMA8452_ADDRESS);
  Wire.write(addressToRead);
  Wire.endTransmission(false); //endTransmission but keep the connection active

  Wire.requestFrom(MMA8452_ADDRESS, 1); //Ask for 1 byte, once done, bus is released by default

  while(!Wire.available()) ; //Wait for the data to come back
  return Wire.read(); //Return this one byte
}

// Writes a single byte (dataToWrite) into addressToWrite
void writeRegister(byte addressToWrite, byte dataToWrite)
{
  Wire.beginTransmission(MMA8452_ADDRESS);
  Wire.write(addressToWrite);
  Wire.write(dataToWrite);
  Wire.endTransmission(); //Stop transmitting
}

The connection is well. What can be wrong in the code for that accelerometer? The code is for sparkfun MMA8452Q is it a different version? Do you think that my accelerometer might be broken?

If you tell us exactly how you connected the accelerometer to the Arduino and what seemed to go wrong, we might be able to guess what the problem is.

jremington:
If you tell us what seemed to go wrong, we might be able to guess what the problem is.

Nothing happens. Only that I see that message in the serial monitor: MMA8452 Basic Example and then nothing happen.

Are you getting "MMA8452Q is online..." or not?

If you are not getting this then this means the Acc is not initialised because of many reasons out of which 2 are most prominent and those are 1) you have faulty connections 2) the board you bought is defective!

but you should check connections

Hi, what does the monitor say EXACTLY?
A picture of your project and a CAD or picture of your circuit would also help, in jpg, png or pdf.
You have all the information your end, you started the project, this makes you more informative than we are, we need to catchup and the only way we can do this is for you to read our requests and answer them.

Your display should say
"MMA8452 Basic Example"
first then go to displaying data.
Do you have the monitor set to 57600 baud?
Press reset button on arduino to make sure program initiates.
Tom...Hope to help...... :slight_smile:

Here you have the circuit. Gnd And 3.3V are well connected.

And here the serial monitor:

Do you have the monitor set to 57600 baud?

baud rate shouldn't be a problem here at all as the Serial is used here just to print the statements, and also as the Begin statement in the setup is executing well fine (as theres no gibberish or gribble) it means the baud rate is already fine.

The 8452Q uses i2c to workout(I'm using it in a custom circuitry of mine.)

Ahh I think I got it , So do you have the correct address in the code , I mean the sparkFun's hardware pcb uses SA0 pin HIGH that is connected to voltage so if its high then the address of acc. is 0x1D or else if its low then the address is 0x1C.

refer to this excerpt of the code:

// The SparkFun breakout board defaults to 1, set to 0 if SA0 jumper on the bottom of the board is set
#define MMA8452_ADDRESS 0x1D  // 0x1D if SA0 is high, 0x1C if low

You're right!! Thank you!

  1. Great then.