This experiment is just plain fun! Have you ever used a compass? Are you a little confused in terms of which direction to go? Fear not! We will build a digital compass that will keep you on track to the North Pole using the micro:bit’s onboard compass chip!
Parts Needed
You will need the following parts:
1x micro:bit
1x Micro B USB Cable
1x micro:bit Breakout (with Headers)
1x Breadboard
4x Jumper Wires
2x LED Modules
Introducing the Compass (Magnetometer)
In the previous experiment you learned about the accelerometer, which measured gravity. The compass, or technically the magnetometer, measures a magnetic field. Magnetic fields come in different sizes, but the biggest is the one produced by Earth itself, which is why compasses work.
The magnetometer detects magnetic north and then represents your heading in degrees with north being 0 degrees, east being 90 degrees, south being 180 degrees and west being 270. Pretty cool! Now let’s put this compass to good use!
Hardware Hookup
Ready to start hooking everything up? Check out the wiring diagram below to see how everything is connected.
Polarized Components
Pay special attention to the component’s markings indicating how to place it on the breadboard. Polarized components can only be connected to a circuit in one direction.
Wiring Diagram for the Experiment
Red LED Module
Micro Bit Breakout
GND
GND
VCC
3.3v
OUT
P0
Blue LED Module
Micro Bit Breakout
GND
GND
VCC
3.3v
OUT
P16
Note: The full sized breadboard power rails have a break down the middle. If you end up using the lower half of the power rail you will need to jump between the upper end and lower end.
Run Your Script
Either copy and paste, or re-create the following code into your own MakeCode editor by clicking the open icon in the upper right-hand corner of the editor window. You can also just download this example by clicking the download button in the lower right-hand corner of the code window.
Note: You may need to disable your ad/pop-up blocker to interact with the MakeCode programming environment and simulated circuit!
Code to Note
Let’s take a look at the code blocks in this experiment.
If you are having a hard time viewing this code, click on the image above to get a better look!
Compass Heading
The compass heading block returns the heading that you are facing if you are holding the micro:bit flat with the pins toward you. Zero degrees is north. We store this heading in a variable called item.
And
Much of the rest of this code is straightforward, but the logical and block is used. This combines two logical statements into one statement that returns true when both of the other statements are true and only true.
What You Should See
When your code is loaded you will first see instructions on the micro:bit LED array. The instructions will ask you to draw a circle, move the micro:bit around until all of the part of the circle have been added and it displays a smiley face. This process is to calibrate the micro:bit’s magnetometer with its surroundings. The LEDs will start to turn on — one or the other, or both. While standing still, rotate in the direction of the LED that is on. When both LEDs are lit, you are facing generally north (if you are outside)! You now have a compass that helps you find north, or any other direction you choose if you change the code!
Note: If you calibrate your micro:bit while inside and in a proximity to your computer or something that produces a larger magnetic field it will skew your micro:bits sense of direction. You will end up creating a metal detector rather than a compass!
Troubleshooting
Not Really North?
You may have a motor or magnet close by! The magnetometer is sensitive to all magnetic fields, including ones that may be produced by other electronics, metal, or even…a magnet.
LEDs Seem Backward
You might have your logical statement backward! Try flipping your greater than to less than, or the other way around.
