I2C IMU Rev C

I2C IMU Rev C

The 2C IMU Rev C is a high-performance external Inertial Measurement Unit designed by BaseCam Electronics. This specialized breakout board is specifically optimized for advanced brushless camera gimbals running SimpleBGC 32-bit controllers. Rev C typically utilizes either the InvenSense ICM20608 or the high-performance ICM20602 6-axis motion tracking sensor. It provides incredible precision for capturing angular velocity and linear acceleration. All versions of this board are backward compatible in size, shape, and connection interface. The I2C IMU Rev C acts as the crucial “eyes” of your gimbal system, making sure your camera stays perfectly level despite rapid or erratic aerial movements.

Key Features

• The I2C IMU Rev C relies on premium ICM20608 or ICM20602 6-axis MEMS sensors.

• It features on-chip 16-bit ADCs for high-resolution digital orientation data.

• A programmable full-scale gyro range scales up to $\pm 2000 \text{ dps}$ (degrees per second).

• The accelerometer handles user-programmable ranges up to $\pm 16g$.

• It maintains full physical size and connection compatibility with older Rev B units.

• Integrated digital low-pass filters eliminate high-frequency motor vibrations.

• It includes an onboard temperature sensor to prevent thermal drift.

Specifications

The I2C IMU Rev C operates flawlessly on a standard 3.3V or 5V power bus (depending on the exact controller board setup). It measures a tiny footprint of 1.8cm by 2.0cm. The unit’s net weight without wiring is just 1.0g to ensure it does not disturb sensitive gimbal balance. The distance between its 3mm diameter mounting holes is 14.2mm. Furthermore, communication with the main processor is established over Fast Mode I2C at 400kHz. This makes the I2C IMU Rev C a highly responsive and space-saving component for professional camera rigs.

Applications

This specialized IMU is perfect for professional 3-axis brushless camera gimbals. It works excellently as either a primary camera IMU or a secondary frame-mounted IMU. Engineers use the I2C IMU Rev C on heavy-lift drones carrying cinema cameras. The advanced sensor dampening and calculation support high-speed aerial maneuvers without video jitter. Additionally, it serves as a massive upgrade over older MPU-6050 based boards. It supports complex setups ranging from handheld stabilizers to heavy commercial automated surveillance mounts. Whether capturing dynamic cinema shots or stable mapping photos, it maintains perfect horizons.

Connectivity

Integrating the I2C IMU Rev C into your existing BaseCam setup is very straightforward. It wires directly into the dedicated I2C port of your SimpleBGC 32-bit controller. Note that if you are utilizing the ICM20602 variant, your main board must be running firmware version 2.66 or higher. To use this as a secondary frame IMU, you will need to bridge the designated address pads on the PCB. Therefore, configuring double IMU redundancy is a seamless task on the workbench. It is a highly specific but incredibly powerful tool for the broadcast and commercial drone ecosystem.