Our QT Py boards offer an excellent solution for creating compact microcontroller projects with substantial power. Now, we've introduced a method to transform numerous QT Py boards into compact yet potent 9 degree-of-freedom (9DoF) motion projects with additional pressure and altitude sensing capabilities!
This is known as the Adafruit BNO055 + BMP280 BFF Add-On, or "Best Friend Forever." Similar to the "buddy" system you might have been familiar with as a child, this product serves a comparable purpose. It's a board designed to support your QT Py by enhancing its functionalities.
This PCB is crafted to attach seamlessly to the back of any QT Py or Xiao board. It offers the flexibility of being soldered directly or attached via pin and socket headers for removability.
Instead of dedicating weeks or months to tweaking algorithms of uncertain accuracy and complexity, the BNO055 allows you to access significant sensor data within minutes. This intelligent 9-DOF sensor autonomously handles sensor fusion, enabling you to retrieve the data directly through I2C.
The BNO055 can output the following sensor data:
Absolute Orientation (Euler Vector, 100Hz) Three axis orientation data based on a 360° sphere
Absolute Orientation (Quaternion, 100Hz) Four point quaternion output for more accurate data manipulation
Angular Velocity Vector (100Hz) Three axis of 'rotation speed' in rad/s
Acceleration Vector (100Hz) Three axis of acceleration (gravity + linear motion) in m/s^2
Magnetic Field Strength Vector (20Hz) Three axis of magnetic field sensing in micro Tesla (uT)
Linear Acceleration Vector (100Hz) Three axis of linear acceleration data (acceleration minus gravity) in m/s^2
Gravity Vector (100Hz) Three axis of gravitational acceleration (minus any movement) in m/s^2
Temperature (1Hz) Ambient temperature in degrees celsius
The device lacks barometric pressure, essential for calculating altitude. Hence, it includes a BMP280 sensor. This Bosch precision sensor is an economical solution for accurately measuring barometric pressure to within ±1 hPa and temperature to within ±1.0°C. Given that pressure varies with altitude and the sensor's measurements are highly accurate, it can also serve as an altimeter with an accuracy of ±1 meter.
Using the BFF is straightforward because both the BNO and BMP communicate via I2C, utilizing the SDA/SCL pins. It's important to note that some QT Py boards equipped with a Stemma QT port feature two I2C ports. Ensure you connect to the port associated with the SDA/SCL pins, not the QT port. For those seeking advanced control, the BNO055 offers optional Interrupt/Reset pins. Additionally, each sensor includes address-changing jumpers, allowing you to alter the default addresses if needed, which are BMP280 @ 0x77 and BNO055 @ 0x28.
If desired, you can solder the BFF directly onto the back of your Xiao/QT Py, or utilize the provided header to solder each side to your QT Py, creating a sandwich configuration. Alternatively, you can acquire an Itsy Bitsy short female header kit for a detachable yet compact connection; remember to trim the headers down to 7 pins.
QT Py is not included!