How to Use Adafruit ADXL343/ADT7410 FeatherWing: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The Adafruit ADXL343/ADT7410 FeatherWing (Part ID: 4147) is a versatile add-on board designed for Feather microcontrollers. It combines two powerful sensors: the ADXL343, a 3-axis accelerometer for motion detection, and the ADT7410, a high-precision temperature sensor. This compact and efficient FeatherWing is ideal for projects requiring motion sensing and temperature monitoring, such as wearable devices, IoT applications, and environmental monitoring systems.

• Motion detection in robotics and wearables
• Temperature monitoring in IoT devices
• Environmental data logging
• Gesture recognition and tilt sensing
• Compact sensor integration for prototyping

The FeatherWing connects directly to Feather microcontrollers via the Feather header pins. Below is the pin configuration:

1. Connect the FeatherWing to a Feather Board: Align the FeatherWing with the Feather microcontroller and solder the header pins for a secure connection.
2. Power the FeatherWing: Ensure the Feather board is powered via USB or a battery. The FeatherWing operates at 3.3V.
3. Establish I2C Communication: The ADXL343 and ADT7410 sensors communicate via the I2C protocol. Ensure the Feather board's SDA and SCL pins are connected to the corresponding pins on the FeatherWing.
4. Install Required Libraries: Use the Adafruit Unified Sensor library, Adafruit_ADXL343 library, and Adafruit_ADT7410 library in your Arduino IDE or CircuitPython environment.

• I2C Address Conflicts: If using multiple I2C devices, ensure there are no address conflicts. The ADXL343 and ADT7410 default addresses are 0x53 and 0x48, respectively.
• Interrupt Pins: Use the INT1, INT2, or ALERT pins for advanced features like motion detection or temperature alerts.
• Mounting Orientation: For accurate motion sensing, ensure the FeatherWing is mounted securely and aligned properly in your project.

Below is an example Arduino sketch to read data from both the ADXL343 accelerometer and the ADT7410 temperature sensor:

#include <Wire.h>
#include <Adafruit_Sensor.h>
#include <Adafruit_ADXL343.h>
#include <Adafruit_ADT7410.h>

// Create sensor objects
Adafruit_ADXL343 accel = Adafruit_ADXL343(12345); // Accelerometer object
Adafruit_ADT7410 tempSensor = Adafruit_ADT7410(); // Temperature sensor object

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);
  while (!Serial) delay(10); // Wait for Serial Monitor to open

  // Initialize accelerometer
  if (!accel.begin()) {
    Serial.println("Failed to find ADXL343 sensor!");
    while (1);
  }
  Serial.println("ADXL343 initialized!");

  // Initialize temperature sensor
  if (!tempSensor.begin()) {
    Serial.println("Failed to find ADT7410 sensor!");
    while (1);
  }
  Serial.println("ADT7410 initialized!");
}

void loop() {
  // Read accelerometer data
  sensors_event_t event;
  accel.getEvent(&event);
  Serial.print("X: "); Serial.print(event.acceleration.x); Serial.print(" m/s^2, ");
  Serial.print("Y: "); Serial.print(event.acceleration.y); Serial.print(" m/s^2, ");
  Serial.print("Z: "); Serial.print(event.acceleration.z); Serial.println(" m/s^2");

  // Read temperature data
  float temperature = tempSensor.readTempC();
  Serial.print("Temperature: "); Serial.print(temperature); Serial.println(" °C");

  delay(1000); // Wait 1 second before next reading
}

1. No Data from Sensors

   • Ensure the FeatherWing is securely connected to the Feather board.
   • Verify that the I2C addresses (0x53 for ADXL343, 0x48 for ADT7410) are correct.
   • Check for proper soldering of header pins.

2. Incorrect or Unstable Readings

   • Ensure the FeatherWing is mounted securely to avoid vibrations or misalignment.
   • Verify that the power supply is stable and within the operating voltage range.

3. Library Errors

   • Ensure the Adafruit_ADXL343 and Adafruit_ADT7410 libraries are installed in the Arduino IDE.
   • Update the libraries to the latest versions.

Q: Can I use this FeatherWing with non-Adafruit Feather boards?
A: Yes, as long as the board supports 3.3V logic and I2C communication.

Q: How do I change the I2C address of the sensors?
A: The ADXL343 and ADT7410 have fixed I2C addresses. If address conflicts occur, consider using an I2C multiplexer.

Q: Can I use both sensors simultaneously?
A: Yes, the ADXL343 and ADT7410 operate independently and can be accessed simultaneously via I2C.

Q: What is the maximum sampling rate of the ADXL343?
A: The ADXL343 supports a maximum output data rate of 3200 Hz.

Q: Is the FeatherWing compatible with CircuitPython?
A: Yes, Adafruit provides CircuitPython libraries for both the ADXL343 and ADT7410 sensors.