How to Use BMP280: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The BMP280 is a high-precision digital barometric pressure sensor designed for measuring atmospheric pressure and temperature. It is a low-power, compact sensor that communicates via I2C or SPI interfaces, making it ideal for integration into a wide range of applications. The BMP280 is widely used in weather stations, drones, and IoT devices for altitude measurement, environmental monitoring, and weather forecasting.

• Weather stations for atmospheric pressure and temperature monitoring
• Altitude measurement in drones and aviation systems
• IoT devices for environmental sensing
• Fitness trackers and smartwatches for elevation tracking
• Indoor navigation and HVAC systems

The BMP280 offers high accuracy and low power consumption, making it suitable for battery-powered devices. Below are its key technical details:

The BMP280 comes in a small package with the following pinout:

The BMP280 can be easily integrated into circuits using either the I2C or SPI communication protocol. Below are the steps to use the BMP280 in a typical setup:

1. Wiring:

   • Connect the BMP280's VDD pin to the Arduino's 3.3V pin.
   • Connect the GND pin to the Arduino's GND.
   • Connect the SCL pin to the Arduino's A5 pin (I2C clock line).
   • Connect the SDA pin to the Arduino's A4 pin (I2C data line).

2. Install Required Libraries:

   • Install the Adafruit BMP280 library from the Arduino Library Manager.
   • Install the Adafruit Sensor library, which is a dependency.

3. Example Code: Below is an example Arduino sketch to read pressure and temperature data from the BMP280:

   #include <Wire.h>
   #include <Adafruit_Sensor.h>
   #include <Adafruit_BMP280.h>
   
   // Create an instance of the BMP280 sensor
   Adafruit_BMP280 bmp;
   
   void setup() {
     Serial.begin(9600);
     // Initialize the BMP280 sensor
     if (!bmp.begin(0x76)) { 
       // Check if the sensor is connected at I2C address 0x76
       Serial.println("Could not find a valid BMP280 sensor, check wiring!");
       while (1); // Halt the program if the sensor is not found
     }
     Serial.println("BMP280 initialized successfully!");
   }
   
   void loop() {
     // Read temperature and pressure from the BMP280
     float temperature = bmp.readTemperature();
     float pressure = bmp.readPressure();
   
     // Convert pressure to hPa
     pressure = pressure / 100.0;
   
     // Print the readings to the Serial Monitor
     Serial.print("Temperature: ");
     Serial.print(temperature);
     Serial.println(" °C");
   
     Serial.print("Pressure: ");
     Serial.print(pressure);
     Serial.println(" hPa");
   
     delay(1000); // Wait for 1 second before the next reading
   }
   

• Power Supply: Ensure the BMP280 is powered with a voltage between 1.71V and 3.6V. Using a higher voltage may damage the sensor.
• Pull-Up Resistors: If using I2C, ensure pull-up resistors (typically 4.7kΩ) are connected to the SCL and SDA lines.
• I2C Address: The BMP280 has a default I2C address of 0x76. If the SDO pin is connected to VDD, the address changes to 0x77.

1. Sensor Not Detected:

   • Cause: Incorrect wiring or I2C address mismatch.
   • Solution: Double-check the wiring and ensure the correct I2C address is used in the code.

2. Inaccurate Readings:

   • Cause: Environmental factors such as rapid temperature changes or poor sensor placement.
   • Solution: Place the sensor in a stable environment and avoid placing it near heat sources.

3. No Data Output:

   • Cause: Missing or incorrect library installation.
   • Solution: Ensure the Adafruit BMP280 and Adafruit Sensor libraries are installed correctly.

1. Can the BMP280 measure altitude?

   • Yes, the BMP280 can calculate altitude using the pressure readings and a reference sea-level pressure.

2. What is the difference between the BMP280 and BME280?

   • The BMP280 measures pressure and temperature, while the BME280 also includes humidity sensing.

3. Can the BMP280 operate at 5V?

   • No, the BMP280 operates at a maximum voltage of 3.6V. Use a logic level shifter if interfacing with a 5V system.

By following this documentation, you can successfully integrate and use the BMP280 sensor in your projects!