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LSM6DS3TR-C
The LSM6DS3TR-C is STMicroelectronics' system-in-package 6-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU), part of the iNEMO family. It integrates a high-performance 3D digital accelerometer (up to ±16g) and a 3D digital gyroscope (up to ±2000 dps) with an embedded temperature sensor, all in a compact LGA-14 package. Designed for entry-level to mid-tier smartphones, portable PC platforms, wearables, and IoT devices, it achieves 0.90 mA in combo high-performance mode while supporting always-on low-power features including a hardware pedometer, tilt detection, free-fall detection, and a programmable finite state machine (FSM) for custom gesture recognition. The 4 KB FIFO buffer decouples sensor sampling from host MCU reads, and dual I²C/SPI interfaces with separate Vdd_IO ensure compatibility across 1.8V and 3.3V logic systems. Widely adopted in the Arduino/maker ecosystem (Adafruit, Arduino Nano 33 IoT, Seeed XIAO nRF52), the LSM6DS3TR-C is the recommended successor to the original LSM6DS3TR with improved power efficiency and noise performance.
Product Specifications
LSM6DS3TR-C — STMicroelectronics 6-Axis IMU Accelerometer + Gyroscope
STMicroelectronics — iNEMO 6-DoF Inertial Module, 3D Accelerometer + 3D Gyroscope, 0.90mA Combo, 4KB FIFO, I²C/SPI, LGA-14
MFR Part #: LSM6DS3TR-C
Superb SKU: SB-LSM6DS3TR-C
In Stock
The LSM6DS3TR-C is STMicroelectronics' system-in-package 6-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU), part of the iNEMO family. It integrates a high-performance 3D digital accelerometer (up to ±16g) and a 3D digital gyroscope (up to ±2000 dps) with an embedded temperature sensor, all in a compact LGA-14 package. Designed for entry-level to mid-tier smartphones, portable PC platforms, wearables, and IoT devices, it achieves 0.90 mA in combo high-performance mode while supporting always-on low-power features including a hardware pedometer, tilt detection, free-fall detection, and a programmable finite state machine (FSM) for custom gesture recognition. The 4 KB FIFO buffer decouples sensor sampling from host MCU reads, and dual I²C/SPI interfaces with separate Vdd_IO ensure compatibility across 1.8V and 3.3V logic systems. Widely adopted in the Arduino/maker ecosystem (Adafruit, Arduino Nano 33 IoT, Seeed XIAO nRF52), the LSM6DS3TR-C is the recommended successor to the original LSM6DS3TR with improved power efficiency and noise performance.
Key Performance Highlights
Sensor Axes
6-DoF (Accel + Gyro)
Combo Current
0.90 mA
FIFO Buffer
4 KB
Gyro Noise Density
0.008 dps/√Hz
Interface
I²C + SPI
Package
LGA-14 (2.5×3mm)
Technical Specifications
Source: STMicroelectronics LSM6DS3TR-C datasheet & Mouser 511-LSM6DS3TR-C
| Manufacturer | STMicroelectronics |
| MFR Part Number | LSM6DS3TR-C |
| Sensor Type | 6-Axis IMU: 3D digital accelerometer + 3D digital gyroscope + temp sensor |
| Product Family | iNEMO 6-DoF inertial module, LSM6DSx series |
| Accel Full Scale Range | ±2g / ±4g / ±8g / ±16g (user-selectable) |
| Gyro Full Scale Range | ±125 / ±250 / ±500 / ±1000 / ±2000 dps |
| Accelerometer ODR | 1.6 Hz to 6.66 kHz |
| Gyroscope ODR | 12.5 Hz to 6.66 kHz |
| Accelerometer Noise Density | 90 µg/√Hz (typ., high-performance mode) |
| Gyroscope Noise Density | 0.008 dps/√Hz (typ., high-performance mode) |
| Combo Current (HP Mode) | 0.90 mA (accel + gyro, high-performance) |
| Combo Current (Normal Mode) | 0.65 mA (accel + gyro) |
| Gyro-Only Current | 0.65 mA |
| Accel-Only Current (LP) | 0.35 mA (low-power mode) |
| Digital Interface | I²C (up to 400 kHz) + SPI (up to 10 MHz, 3/4-wire) |
| FIFO Buffer | 4 KB (flexible — accel only, gyro only, or combo) |
| Supply Voltage (Vdd / Vdd_IO) | 1.71 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +85°C |
| Package / Case | 14-LGA (2.5mm × 3.0mm × 0.86mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (SMD/SMT) |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (TR) — 5,000 units per reel |
| Equivalent / Alternate MPNs | LSM6DS3TR (original, not recommended for new designs), LSM6DSO, ICM-42688-P |
| RoHS Compliance | Yes — RoHS Compliant |
| Mouser Part # | 511-LSM6DS3TR-C |
Operating Modes & Power Profiles
| Mode | Accel | Gyro | Current | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-Performance | ON | ON | 0.90 mA | Sensor fusion, 6-DoF AHRS, VR/AR controllers, drone stabilization |
| Normal Mode Combo | ON | ON | 0.65 mA | General motion tracking, game controllers, robotics |
| Gyro-Only | OFF | ON | 0.65 mA | Camera OIS, pan/tilt stabilization, angular rate only |
| Accel-Only LP | ON (LP) | OFF | 0.35 mA | Always-on pedometer, tilt/wake-up, wearable step tracking |
Product Details
Product Description
The LSM6DS3TR-C is a system-in-package 6-axis IMU that combines a 3-axis MEMS accelerometer and a 3-axis MEMS gyroscope on a single monolithic die in a 2.5mm × 3mm LGA-14 package. Part of ST's iNEMO family, it is optimized for entry-level to mid-tier consumer devices — smartphones, tablets, wearables, portable PCs, and IoT sensor nodes — where the balance of motion performance, power efficiency, and cost is critical.
A key advantage is the 4 KB FIFO buffer with flexible configuration: it can store accelerometer-only, gyroscope-only, or combined data, reducing host MCU wake-up frequency by up to 100×. The programmable finite state machine (FSM) enables custom motion pattern recognition directly on the sensor — for example, detecting a wrist-raise gesture or a tap pattern — without involving the application processor. Combined with the hardware pedometer, tilt detection, and significant motion detection, the LSM6DS3TR-C acts as a true sensor hub, not just a data source.
Key Applications
Wearables & Fitness Bands — Step counting, activity recognition, wrist-raise gesture with always-on pedometer
Smartphones & Tablets — Screen rotation, tap-to-wake, image stabilization (OIS/EIS) data source
Gaming & VR Controllers — 6-DoF motion tracking, gesture-based game input, head tracking
Robot Navigation & Drones — IMU-based dead reckoning, tilt compensation, attitude estimation
IoT & Asset Tracking — Motion wake-up trigger, shock/tilt event logging, orientation monitoring
Portable PC / Laptop — Lid open/close detection, free-fall HDD protection, convertible mode sensing
Built-In Motion Detection & Embedded Functions
The LSM6DS3TR-C includes hardware-based event generators and processing functions that operate without waking the host MCU:
Pedometer (Step Counter)
Hardware step detector and step counter with false-step rejection. Counts steps even when the host MCU is asleep. Outputs step count and step detection interrupt. Functions in accel-only LP mode at just 0.35mA.
Tilt Detection
Detects when the device transitions between vertical and horizontal orientation. Configurable angle threshold. Used for screen rotation triggering, convertible laptop mode detection, and wrist-raise recognition in wearables.
Free-Fall Detection
Detects when acceleration on all three axes approaches 0g (weightlessness). Configurable threshold and debounce time. Classic use case: HDD head parking in laptops during a drop event to prevent data loss.
Wake-Up & Activity/Inactivity
Device can sleep the gyro and run the accelerometer in LP mode. When acceleration exceeds a threshold, it wakes the gyro and signals the host. Return-to-sleep when inactivity persists. Core enabler for always-on motion sensing.
6D Orientation + Significant Motion
Detects which of 6 orientations the device is resting in (face-up, face-down, X+/X-, Y+/Y-, Z+/Z-). Significant Motion detects sustained displacement — useful for asset tracking and anti-theft, where brief vibrations should be ignored.
Finite State Machine (FSM)
Programmable 16-state FSM for custom motion recognition. Define state transitions based on accelerometer/gyroscope thresholds, timers, and interrupts. Enables custom gestures (knock-knock, shake, figure-8) without any MCU code — the sensor itself recognizes the pattern.
LSM6DS3TR-C vs Related 6-Axis IMUs
| Parameter | LSM6DS3TR-C | LSM6DS3TR | ICM-42688-P | BMI270 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | TDK InvenSense | Bosch Sensortec |
| Combo Current (HP) | 0.90 mA | 1.25 mA | 0.65 mA | 0.68 mA |
| Gyro Noise Density | 8 mdps/√Hz | 8 mdps/√Hz | 2.8 mdps/√Hz | 7 mdps/√Hz |
| FIFO | 4 KB | 8 KB | 2 KB | 1 KB |
| Pedometer | Hardware | Hardware | No | Yes (SW lib) |
| FSM / Custom Gesture | 16-state FSM | 16-state FSM | No | No |
| Package | LGA-14 (2.5×3mm) | LGA-14 (2.5×3mm) | LGA-14 (2.5×3mm) | LGA-14 (2.5×3mm) |
| Positioning | Balanced: FSM+Pedometer+Cost | Older gen (NRND) | Lower noise, lower power | Android sensor hub |
Selection Guide: Choose LSM6DS3TR-C for the best balance of hardware features (FSM + pedometer + 4KB FIFO) at consumer price points. Choose ICM-42688-P for applications where lowest noise and power are critical (but no on-chip pedometer/FSM). Choose BMI270 for Android ecosystem compatibility. LSM6DS3TR-C is the recommended upgrade from legacy LSM6DS3TR — same footprint, lower power, improved noise.
Why Source LSM6DS3TR-C from Superb Automation
100% New & Original — ST trusted Channels
Every LSM6DS3TR-C ships from ST-trusted distribution with full lot traceability and certificate of conformance.
Tape & Reel for High-Volume Production
Standard 5,000-unit reels for automated SMT lines. Full, partial, and prototype quantities available.
Global Logistics — Same-Day Dispatch
Shenzhen and Hong Kong warehouses. FedEx/DHL/UPS express worldwide. In-stock LSM6DS3TR-C ships same day.
MEMS IMU PCB Expertise
LGA-14 pad design, low-stress mounting, I²C/SPI routing for IMU sensors — our FAE team supports your design.
Competitive Volume Pricing
Prototype to high-volume: 10 pcs to 50k+ reels. Quote within hours. BOM consolidation across ST sensors available.
PCB & PCBA Integration
Components + PCB fabrication (16–60L, HDI) + turnkey SMT assembly — one supplier for your IMU-based product.
PCB Manufacturing Considerations for IMU Sensors
Integrating the LSM6DS3TR-C onto a PCB requires attention to mechanical stress isolation, solder joint reliability, and signal integrity. Superb Automation's manufacturing capabilities address the specific challenges of MEMS IMU-based designs:
LGA-14 Pad & Stencil Design: The 14-LGA package with 0.5mm pitch pads requires precise solder paste deposition. Superb uses laser-cut stencils with electro-polished apertures for consistent paste release. Step-down stencil thickness (100µm) prevents bridging while ensuring sufficient solder volume for reliable LGA joints.
Mechanical Stress Isolation: MEMS gyroscopes and accelerometers are sensitive to PCB bending and warpage, which can introduce bias errors. Superb recommends avoiding large copper pours directly under the LGA footprint and placing the IMU away from board mounting holes and connector forces. Slot-routing or milled stress-relief channels around the sensor zone further decouple board-level strain.
I²C/SPI Signal Integrity: For high-ODR operation (up to 6.66 kHz), clean I²C and SPI communication is critical. Superb's controlled-impedance stackups with dedicated ground planes beneath the sensor and short, direct bus traces minimize noise coupling. Pull-up resistor placement within 5mm of the LGA package ensures clean I²C edges.
Multi-IMU Board Design: Systems requiring redundant IMUs (e.g., drone flight controllers, robotic navigation) benefit from Superb's 4-layer to 60-layer PCB capability. Isolated power domains, separate I²C buses, and synchronized ODR routing across multiple LSM6DS3TR-C sensors are supported for high-reliability applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the LSM6DS3TR-C used for?
The LSM6DS3TR-C is a 6-axis IMU that measures 3D acceleration and 3D angular velocity, used in wearables (step counting, gesture), smartphones (screen rotation, OIS), gaming controllers (6-DoF tracking), drones and robots (attitude estimation), IoT sensors (motion wake-up), and laptops (lid detection, free-fall). It integrates an accelerometer, gyroscope, temperature sensor, pedometer, and gesture FSM in a single LGA-14 package.
LSM6DS3TR vs LSM6DS3TR-C: which should I choose?
Choose the LSM6DS3TR-C for all new designs. The -C variant offers lower power consumption (0.90mA vs 1.25mA in combo HP mode), improved noise performance, and is the current production part. The original LSM6DS3TR is not recommended for new designs (NRND). Both share the same LGA-14 footprint and I²C/SPI pinout, making the -C variant a drop-in upgrade for most designs with minor register configuration changes.
What does the "-C" suffix mean on LSM6DS3TR-C?
The "-C" suffix designates the updated/current version of the sensor. Key improvements over the original LSM6DS3TR: lower power consumption (28% reduction in combo HP mode), improved noise density, and updated always-on features. The -C is the recommended variant for all new designs and production. The physical package and pinout are identical.
How does the LSM6DS3TR-C hardware pedometer work?
The hardware pedometer runs entirely on the sensor chip with embedded step-detection algorithms. It detects steps by analyzing the accelerometer's waveform pattern (heel-strike signature) with false-step rejection — ignoring non-walking motions like typing or vehicle vibration. The step counter accumulates in a readable register and can generate an interrupt when step count exceeds a threshold. It functions in accel-only low-power mode (0.35mA), enabling always-on step tracking without waking the application processor.
What sensor fusion can I do with the LSM6DS3TR-C?
The LSM6DS3TR-C provides the raw accelerometer and gyroscope data needed for 6-DoF sensor fusion. Popular fusion frameworks include ST's MotionFX library (9-axis AHRS), Madgwick/Mahony filters, and Kalman-filter-based estimators. Combined with an external magnetometer, you can achieve full 9-DoF absolute orientation. The sensor's 4KB FIFO and synchronized accel+gyro sampling ensure time-aligned data for accurate fusion.
What development boards and libraries support the LSM6DS3TR-C?
The LSM6DS3TR-C has extensive ecosystem support: Adafruit provides Arduino/CircuitPython libraries for their LSM6DS3TR-C breakout board (PID 4503), ST offers the STM32Cube sensor driver and X-CUBE-MEMS1 expansion, the sensor is used on the Arduino Nano 33 IoT and Seeed XIAO nRF52 Sense boards, and the Linux IIO subsystem includes a driver for embedded Linux. Most LSM6DS3 libraries are compatible with the -C variant.
Related Products
Superb Automation maintains supply relationships across the STMicroelectronics MEMS sensor and complementary component ecosystem:
LSM6DS3TR
Original 6-axis IMU — same footprint, higher power, NRND status
LSM6DSO
Next-gen 6-axis IMU with 9KB FIFO, machine learning core, LGA-14
LIS3DHTR
Ultra-low-power 3-axis accelerometer, 2µA LP mode, LGA-16
LIS2DH12TR
Smallest 2×2mm accelerometer, companion for motion wake-up
ICM-42688-P
TDK InvenSense 6-axis, lower noise/power alternative, LGA-14
BMI270
Bosch Sensortec 6-axis IMU, Android-compatible, LGA-14
LSM6DSV
Latest-gen 6-axis with embedded AI, Qvar electrostatic sensor
LIS3MDLTR
3-axis magnetometer — pair with LSM6DS3TR-C for 9-DoF AHRS
Need LSM6DS3TR-C pricing, stock, or a complete BOM for your sensor project?
Send your RFQ or BOM to pcba@superb-tech.com — we respond within hours. Components + PCB + assembly, one supplier.
Send your RFQ or BOM to pcba@superb-tech.com — we respond within hours. Components + PCB + assembly, one supplier.
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