The BMP280 Barometric Pressure and Altitude Sensor is a high-precision digital sensor designed to measure atmospheric pressure and temperature, and to calculate altitude with excellent accuracy. Manufactured by Bosch, it is widely used in weather stations, drones, IoT devices, GPS enhancement systems, and environmental monitoring projects. With low power consumption and both I²C and SPI interfaces, the BMP280 is ideal for embedded and battery-powered applications.
Core Sensor Specifications
• Sensor Type: Barometric pressure and temperature sensor
• Sensor IC: BMP280 (Bosch Sensortec)
• Measured Parameters: Atmospheric pressure, temperature
• Derived Output: Altitude (calculated in software)
Electrical & Interface
• Operating Voltage: 1.71 V – 3.6 V (module-level typically 3.3 V / 5 V tolerant)
• Communication Interfaces: I²C and SPI
• I²C Addresses: 0x76 / 0x77 (selectable)
• Interface Pins: VCC, GND, SDA, SCL / CS, SCK, MOSI, MISO
• Power Consumption: Very low (ideal for battery devices)
Performance Characteristics
• Pressure Measurement Range: 300 – 1100 hPa
• High resolution suitable for altitude measurement
• Fast response with selectable oversampling
• Stable and repeatable readings
Physical Characteristics
• Module Type: PCB-mounted sensor module
• Sensor Package: LGA metal-capped package
• Compact and lightweight design
• Suitable for portable and embedded installations
Compatibility
• Arduino Uno / Nano / Mega
• ESP8266 / ESP32
• Raspberry Pi
• STM32 and other I²C / SPI-enabled microcontrollers
• Drones and navigation systems
Key Advantages
• High accuracy pressure sensing
• Low power consumption
• Dual-interface flexibility (I²C / SPI)
• Well-supported libraries and documentation
Technical Insights
• Altitude is calculated from pressure using standard formulas
• Requires temperature compensation for best accuracy
• Oversampling settings affect noise and power consumption
• Calibration data stored internally in the sensor
Applications
• Weather stations
• Altitude and elevation measurement
• Drones and UAVs
• GPS altitude enhancement
• Environmental monitoring and IoT systems
Pro Tip
• Calibrate altitude to local sea-level pressure
• Use higher oversampling for precision measurements
• Avoid sudden temperature changes for stable readings
• Keep sensor vent unobstructed
Package Includes
• 1 × BMP280 Barometric Pressure and Altitude Sensor Module