Magnetic Sensors
Global Positioning Satellite Navigation Solutions

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Honeywell's Electronic Compass Modules are Used for Compass Solutions as the Perfect Complement to GPS Navigation Systems

Global Positioning Satellites (GPS) offers the latest method in high accuracy navigation by using a constellation of 24 satellites orbiting the earth and transmitting microwave band radio frequencies across the globe. GPS receivers capture at least 4 of the satellite transmissions and use difference in signal arrival times to triangulate the receiver's location. This location information is provided in the classic latitude (north-south) and longitude (east-west) coordinates given in degrees, minutes and seconds. Without a compass, GPS receivers must collect several sets of coordinates, or waypoints, and then determine a general sense of direction of travel. By complementing GPS receivers with electronic compasses, more precise and instantaneous headings are provided to aid navigation for air, ground, and water-based systems. Electronic map displays can be quickly updated when combining electronic compass bearings with GPS receiver derived location coordinates. Should GPS signals become blocked due to obstructions or severe weather, the compass updates and system speed information can provide a temporary backup in navigation. Electronic compassing for GPS applications uses Honeywell's magnetic sensors configured for sensing earth's magnetic field at about 0.6 gauss. This natural magnetic field has a direction from the magnetic south pole to the magnetic north pole. By determining the magnetic sensors orientation relative to the south to north pole field direction provides the required heading information. The magnetic sensors measure the magnetic field intensity in a single direction and when two or three sensors are placed at right angles to each other, create a vector summation of the earth's magnetic field. The Electronic compass function takes these sensor inputs, and with trigonometric computation by a microprocessor, calculates a heading relative to the sensor orientations. The heading output is described in degrees with north at zero degrees, east at 90 degrees, south at 180 degrees, and west at 270 degrees.

Honeywell Compass Solutions for GPS Navigation

Honeywell Solid State Electronics Center offers both magnetic field sensors and complete electronic compass modules for electronic compassing. The HMC102X and HMC105X families of linear mode magnetic sensors are particularly suited to cost effective earth's magnetic field measurement for electronic compassing and navigation purposes. These magneto-resistive sensors offer miniature package sizes, high reliability, fast response, and high sensitivity required for compact GPS navigation platforms. For more turn-key compass solutions, Honeywell's line of HMR compass modules cover a wide range of compass requirements from the basic HMR3200 two-axis electronic compass to the HMR-3300 with +/-60 degrees of tilt compensation. Each compass module has a user calibration routine for adapting to the location of the compass in the platform (vehicle, aircraft, ship, etc.). In addition, each compass module can be ordered as a development kit with demonstration software and cabling for personal computer operation.