RAKwireless RAK1904 WisBlock 3-Axis Accelerometer (LIS3DH)

RAKwireless RAK1904 adds reliable 3-axis acceleration sensing to WisBlock builds when you need motion detection, vibration monitoring, or event-driven wake-ups in embedded systems. It’s built around the STMicroelectronics LIS3DH, an ultra-low-power, high-performance 3-axis linear accelerometer with a digital I2C interface, making firmware integration straightforward.

A key benefit is configurability: you can switch measurement scales between ±2g / ±4g / ±8g / ±16g and tune the output data rate from 1 Hz to 5.3 kHz to match your application. Low data rates are useful for simple tilt/movement detection and power savings, while higher rates are better suited for capturing machine vibration signatures. The module also includes an internal 32-level buffer for 16-bit data, which is helpful for burst logging and short event captures.

Real-world applications include:

Condition monitoring for rotating machinery (motors, pumps, fans, gearboxes) by tracking vibration changes over time.

Asset and transport monitoring, capturing shocks and handling events in shipments, containers, and mobile equipment.

Industrial state sensing, such as detecting movement, impact, or abnormal vibration on equipment enclosures.

Low-power IoT triggers, waking the MCU only when motion occurs to extend battery life.

For battery-powered designs, the module is designed for low current draw, and WisBlock can fully power down the sensor when periodic measurements are enough. Paired with a WisBlock Core like the RAK4631, motion data can be forwarded depending on your build via LoRaWAN, LoRa point-to-point, or BLE. Combined with a GPS module, RAK1904 can also provide inertial context (movement markers and events) alongside location data.