A compass is a fundamental tool for navigation and geographic orientation, traditionally featuring a magnetized needle or a compass card that pivots to align with magnetic north. In this project, we’ve utilized the IndusBoard coin to create a modern, digital compass.
The IndusBoard is programmed to use readings from an accelerometer and a magnetometer to calculate the compass heading accurately. These sensors work together to determine the orientation of the board relative to the Earth’s magnetic field, allowing the device to identify the direction of magnetic north.
To visually represent the compass heading, four LEDs are integrated into the system. These LEDs are connected to four different pins on the IndusBoard. Based on the calculated heading, the corresponding LED lights up to indicate the direction in which the compass is pointing. This setup provides a clear and straightforward visual indication of direction, making the compass both functional and easy to use.
By combining modern sensor technology with the simplicity of LED indicators, this project offers an innovative approach to traditional compass navigation, suitable for various applications where compact and accurate directional guidance is needed.
Author(s): Manjeet Vishwakarma, Abhay Verma and Satywanti Kundu are B.Tech ECE students at GJUS&T HISAR