Compass Bricklet¶

Features¶

• 3-axis compass
• Measures heading with resolution of 0.1° and accuracy up to 1°
• Measures magnetic flux density with 0.01µT (microtesla) resolution
• Update rate of up to 600Hz

Description¶

The Compass Bricklet is equipped with a 3-axis ±8 Gauss magnetic sensor. It can measure the magnetic flux density for all three axis as well as the heading with a resolution of 0.1° and accuracy up to 1°.

The update rate is configurable and can go as high as 600Hz.

Technical Specifications¶

*: Depends on the quality of the calibration for the specific environment the Bricklet is used in.

Resources¶

• MMC5883MA datasheet (Download)
• Schematic (Download)
• Outline and drilling plan (Download)
• Source code and design files (Download)
• 3D model (View online | Download: STEP, FreeCAD)

Test your Compass Bricklet¶

To test a Compass Bricklet you need to have Brick Daemon and Brick Viewer installed. Brick Daemon acts as a proxy between the USB interface of the Bricks and the API bindings. Brick Viewer connects to Brick Daemon. It helps to figure out basic information about the connected Bricks and Bricklets and allows to test them.

Connect the Compass Bricklet to a Brick with a Bricklet Cable.

If you connect the Brick to the PC over USB, you should see a new tab named "Compass Bricklet" in the Brick Viewer after a moment. Select this tab. If everything went as expected you can now see the measured magnetic flux density as well as the heading and inclination.

After this test you can go on with writing your own application. See the Programming Interface section for the API of the Compass Bricklet and examples in different programming languages.

Case¶

A laser-cut case for the Compass Bricklet is available.

The assembly is easiest if you follow the following steps:

• Screw spacers to the Bricklet,
• screw bottom plate to bottom spacers,
• build up side plates,
• plug side plates into bottom plate and
• screw top plate to top spacers.

Below you can see an exploded assembly drawing of the Compass Bricklet case:

Hint: There is a protective film on both sides of the plates, you have to remove it before assembly.

Programming Interface¶

See Programming Interface for a detailed description.