Compasses and magnetometers provide continuous heading and magnetic field information. A compass is used to determine direction and often consists of a magnetic needle or needles horizontally mounted or suspended, and which are free to pivot until aligned with the earth's magnetic field. A magnetometer is used to measure the direction and/or intensity of magnetic fields. Specifications for compasses and magnetometers include type, technology, capabilities, and applications.
There are many different types of compasses and magnetometers. A variation compass is used by observing the variations of a needle. A gyrocompass or astrocompass can also be used to find "true north". Typically, combination compasses and magnetometers are also used in navigation applications. There are several basic types of magnetometers. A fluxgate magnetometer is based on a magnetic saturation circuit. A proton magnetometer is a device used in subsurface detection which records variation in the earth's magnetic field. A vector magnetometer can measure a component of a magnetic field in a particular direction. There are also several types of compasses.
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Honeywell Magnetic Sensors, Magnetometers, Magnetic Field... Electronic compasses offer many advantages over conventional "needle" type or gimbaled compasses such as: shock and vibration resistance, electronic |
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Magnetic field - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The direction of the magnetic field near the poles of a magnet is revealed by placing compasses nearby. |
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Earth's magnetic field - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Magnetometers detect minute deviations in the Earth's magnetic field caused by iron artifacts, kilns, some types of stone structures, and even |

