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Can I use an IMU as a compass, to determine direction? |
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Yes! Using any MEMSense IMU you can measure roll, pitch and yaw motion. Yaw motion allows you to determine direction, as though you are using an electronic compass. However, the magnetometer in the IMU measures not only the earth's magnetic field, but also any other stray fields that may be present, such as those from any ferrous material (e.g. steel beam, rebar, etc.) or an electric motor. Many of these fields can be calibrated out, however. Please see the following documents from our Tech Notes section which explain how to calculate roll/pitch/yaw motion, and compensate for stray magnetic fields:
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