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How to Calibrate an Electronic Compass

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How to Calibrate an Electronic Compass

March 14, 2025

Key Points

Product: Electronic Compass

Principle of Calibration:

- Magnetic field ellipse fitting: Collect magnetic field data in all directions while rotating the device, calculate hard iron interference and soft iron interference parameters, and apply compensation to fit the magnetic field data into a sphere for improved accuracy.

Calibration Methods:

1. Plane calibration:

- XY plane calibration: Rotate the device in the XY plane to find the center point of the trajectory circle projected in that plane.

- XZ plane calibration: Rotate the device in the XZ plane to obtain the trajectory circle of the Earth's magnetic field and calculate the magnetic field interference vector in 3D space.

2. Stereoscopic 8-shaped calibration:

- Rotate the device in various directions in the air to collect sample points that fall on the surface of a sphere. Determine the center of the circle to determine the interference value and perform calibration.

Calibration Steps:

1. Preparation of testing environment:

- Stay away from interference sources.

- Ensure horizontal placement and stable installation.

2. Enter calibration mode:

- Manually trigger calibration through key combinations or software instructions.

- Auto prompt calibration when magnetic field anomalies are detected.

3. Perform calibration operation:

- Horizontal rotation (2D calibration): Slowly rotate the device around the vertical axis in a horizontal position.

- Three-dimensional rotation (3D calibration): Rotate the device around the X, Y, and Z axes, covering at least 360° for each axis.

4. Verify the calibration results:

- Compare the device readings with a known geographic direction.

- Use software tools to observe directional stability and accuracy.

- Repeat calibration if deviation exceeds the nominal error of the device.

Advantages of Electronic Compass:

- Real-time heading and attitude measurement.

- Crucial navigation tool.

- Improves directional accuracy through calibration.

- Various calibration methods available.

- Can be used in different applications and environments.

 

Electronic compass is an important navigation tool that can provide real-time heading and attitude of moving objects. Calibration of an electronic compass is a crucial step in ensuring the accuracy of its directional measurement.

 

1. Calibration principle of electronic compass

The electronic compass determines direction by measuring the components of the geomagnetic field. The calibration process is actually "magnetic field ellipse fitting":

a) Collect magnetic field data compass in all directions when the device rotates.

b) Generate compensation parameters by calculating hard iron interference (fixed offset) and soft iron interference (scaling and cross coupling) through algorithms.

c) Automatically apply compensation during subsequent measurements to fit the magnetic field data into a sphere centered at the origin, improving directional accuracy.

 

2. Calibration method for electronic compass

The calibration methods for electronic compasses mainly include two methods: planar calibration and three-dimensional 8-shaped calibration.

(1) Plane calibration method

For the calibration of the XY axis, the device equipped with a magnetic sensor will rotate on its own in the XY plane, which is equivalent to rotating the Earth's magnetic field vector around the normal passing point O(γx,γy) perpendicular to the XY plane. It represents the trajectory of the magnetic field vector projected in the XY plane during the rotation process. This can find the position of the center of the circle as (Xmax+Xmin)/2, (Ymax+Ymin)/2. Similarly, rotating the device in the XZ plane can obtain the trajectory circle of the Earth's magnetic field on the XZ plane, which can calculate the magnetic field interference vector γ (γx, γy, γz) in three-dimensional space. After calibration, the electronic compass can be used normally on the horizontal plane. However, due to the angle between the compass and the horizontal plane, this angle can affect the accuracy of the heading angle and requires tilt compensation through acceleration sensors.

(2) Stereoscopic 8-shaped calibration method

Usually, when a device with sensors rotates in various directions in the air, the spatial geometric structure composed of measured values is actually a sphere, and all sampling points fall on the surface of this sphere, as shown in the following figure.‌
              compass

 

a) Aerial rotation:  Use calibrated equipment to perform an 8-shaped movement in the air, aiming for the normal direction of the equipment to point towards all 8 quadrants of space. By obtaining sufficient sample points, the center O(γx,γy,γz) is determined, which is the size and direction of the fixed magnetic field interference vector.

b) Sample point collection:  When rotating the device in various directions in the air, the spatial geometric structure composed of measurement values is actually a sphere, and all sampling points fall on the surface of this sphere. By using these sample points, the center of the circle can be determined to determine the hard magnetic interference value and perform calibration.

 

3. Calibration steps for electronic compass

(1) Preparation of testing environment

Ø Stay away from interference sources: Ensure that there are no large metal objects (such as iron cabinets, vehicles), motors, speakers, or other electromagnetic equipment within 3 meters of the calibration environment.

Ø Horizontal placement: Use a level or built-in sensor to adjust to a horizontal state, ensuring that the measurement is based on the horizontal component of the geomagnetic field.

Ø Fixed method: Avoid wearing metal watches or rings when holding the device; If it is an embedded device (such as a drone), ensure a stable installation.

(2) Enter calibration mode

a) Manual triggering: Refer to the product manual, common methods include:

Key combination (such as long pressing the power and function keys for 5 seconds).

Software instructions (select 'Calibrate Compass' through the accompanying app).

b) Auto prompt: Some devices automatically prompt calibration when detecting magnetic field anomalies (such as continuously displaying "low precision").

 

(3) Perform calibration operation

a) Horizontal rotation (2D calibration):

Slowly rotate the equipment around the vertical axis (Z-axis) and keep it horizontal.

Ensure uniform rotation speed (about 10 seconds/turn), complete at least 2 turns to cover all directions.

b) Three-dimensional rotation (3D calibration, suitable for high-precision equipment):

Rotate around the X (roll), Y (pitch), and Z (yaw) axes in sequence, with each axis rotating at least 360 °.

Example action: After horizontal rotation, flip the device upright and then tilt it back and forth.

(4) Verify the calibration results

a) Direction comparison method: Point the device towards a known geographic direction (such as using a compass to determine true north) and check if the readings match.

b) Software validation: Use map apps or professional tools (such as magnetic field analysis software) to observe directional stability and accuracy.

c) Repeat calibration: If the deviation exceeds the nominal error of the equipment (such as ±3°), recalibration and environmental interference inspection are required.

 

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