HMC5883L Digital Compass Module consists of 3-axis i-e (x, y, and z) and a magnetic field chip comprising of 3 magneto-resistive sensors that are positioned at 90 degrees to each other.
Working principle
The working principle of a digital compass module uses the magneto-resistance property of a material which refers to the ability of a material to alter its electrical resistance in response to the applied external magnetic field. Thus, a differential output is generated in the axis direction along which the external magnetic field is applied.
Usage notes
In this way, the HMC5883L Digital compass Module can also be used to measure the magnetic field. It is used in applications where low-field magnetic sensing is required with a digital interface. Such applications include low-cost compassing and magnetometry.
Features:
- Efficiently measures any nearby magnetic field
- Can be used to measure the earth magnetic field in 3 axes
- Provides individual readings for each axis
- 3-axis magneto-resistive sensor
- sensing range up to 8 gausses
- precision up to 1 to 2 degrees.
- Precision in-axis sensitivity and linearity
- I2C Digital Interface
- Output rate of 160 Hz
- Used with microcontrollers with different voltage requirements
Specifications
- Axis: 3 (cartesian X,Y,Z)
- Sensing Range: ± 1.3 to 8 gauss
- Power requirement: 2.16V to 3.6V
- Operating current: 100µA
- Output Type: I2C or 400 kHz
- Operating Temperature: -22 to +185 °F
- Dimensions: 0.725 x 0.650 in
Pin description
HMC5883L module has five pins:
| Pin | Description |
| VCC | 5 V |
| GND | GROUND |
| SCL | SERIAL CLOCK |
| SDA | SERIAL DATA LINE |
| DRDY | DATA READY STATUS |
Applications
- Digital compass module can be used simply as a compass to find earth magnetic north.
- It is widely used with accelerometers, where the data obtained from the accelerometer and the module provides significant information
- Used for robotic navigation
- Used for personal navigation
- Provides location-based services
- Used to measure the relative strength of a nearby magnetic source
