News

Autonnic expands its range of fluxgate compasses - November 09, 2009

Autonnic makes modules by adding analogue and digital systems to its range of magnetometer sensors. These sensors (mainly used for compass, pitch/roll and shaft angel) need signal conditioning and possibly a digital interface. The current range typified by the A4020 compass integrates all parts in an inseparable way.

Now, just launched at METS, are the A4040, A4047 and A407X analogue electronic compass modules. Each can be augmented with a microprocessor board to provide a NMEA-0183 digital interface at the same time as the analogue SIN and COS outputs. In this form they become the A4060 and A408X digital compass modules.

From its experience with the A4020 compass Autonnic has identified the opportunity for an OEM to start with the combined analogue and digital units, then - as volumes increase - to migrate the software into their own product and use just the analogue version. Finally when volumes are high the OEM can justify the investment in their own fully tooled circuits and purchase just the fluxgate alone from Autonnic.

At the opposite end of the integration spectrum, the A5020 compass is complete stand-alone enclosed compass with NMEA and AD10 outputs.