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Quick Start Guide
MIP Soft & Hard Iron Calibration
3DM-GX3-25 (fw version 2.0.00 and above)
3DM-GX3-35
3DM-GX3-45
Overview
Most models of the 3DM-GX3
available as fully calibrated outputs and are also used to correct heading drift in the Orientation
Matrix, Euler Angles and Quaternion outputs. The 3DM-GX3
eliminate as many ferro-magnetic components as possible to prevent distortions in the readings
of the earth's magnetic field which can cause errors in the magnetometer output. In addition, the
magnetometer is factory calibrated on non-magnetic stages in order to compensate for any
remaining internal sources of error. However, these measures can only compensate for error
sources that are internal to the device; they cannot compensate for errors that may be introduced
externally by mounting structures or adjacent devices. Careful mounting of the 3DM-GX3
avoid external magnetic anomalies caused by sources such as coils, magnets, and ferrous metal
structures and mounting components (steel nuts and bolts). Often these sources are hard to avoid
or are hidden and so a field calibration of the magnetometer after final installation is highly
recommended. This can be accomplished using MicroStrain's MIP Soft & Hard Iron
Calibration software.
Important
If you have a 3DM-GX3
®
the 3DM-GX3
Soft & Hard Iron Calibration. If you have version 2.0.00 or above, you may use
®
either 3DM-GX3
Soft & Hard Iron Calibration or the MIP Soft & Hard Iron Calibration
software.
Caution
Starting with 3DM-GX3
heading correction and/or the magnetometer. The default setting is to have both turned on.
Please make sure the magnetometer is turned
Instructions
Before starting, make sure you have installed the MIP Soft & Hard Iron Calibration software
from the installation CD or from the installer downloadable at www.microstrain.com.
1) Connect the 3DM-GX3
and power supply or the USB communication cable. If you have not already done so,
follow the instructions in the 3DM-GX3
make sure the device is properly installed and communicating with your computer.
®
series contain a magnetometer. The magnetometer values are
®
-25 with a firmware version that is lower than 2.0.00, you need to use
®
firmware version 1.1.27, the user has the option of turning off the
ON
®
to your computer using either the RS-232 communication cable
®
has been carefully designed to
before calibrating.
®
Quick Start Guide on the installation CD to
®
can
1
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Table of Contents
Related Manuals for MicroStrain 3DM-GX3 Series
Summary of Contents for MicroStrain 3DM-GX3 Series
- Page 1 (steel nuts and bolts). Often these sources are hard to avoid or are hidden and so a field calibration of the magnetometer after final installation is highly recommended. This can be accomplished using MicroStrain’s MIP Soft & Hard Iron Calibration software.
- Page 2 2) Launch the MIP Soft & Hard Iron Calibration software. 3) The MIP Soft & Hard Iron Calibration Main window will appear. If you have a 3DM- ® connected, it will appear in the Attached Devices list as shown in Figure 1.
- Page 3 Figure 2 - Collecting Data Notice how the purple “star” representing the center of the data sphere is offset from the “circle” which represents the center of the sensor. Normally, these should be superimposed. Figure 3 - Spherical Fit The sphere fits pretty well but some of the points are not on the surface of the sphere.
- Page 4 Figure 4 - Ellipsoidal Fit The ellipsoid fit captures many of the points that were not on the surface of the spherical fit. Figure 5 - Corrected Fit The green sphere shows what the calibrated data should look like.
- Page 5 Figure 6 - Plot Live Data The green points represent data taken after the calibration is written to the device. Notice the values in the Device Iron Cal Matrix and Offset. Figure 7 - Live Data and Corrected Fit This shows how the corrected data fits to the ideal sphere.
- Page 6 Tips You may interactively rotate the data point display at anytime using the mouse – just click anywhere in the 3D data display and drag in the direction you would like to rotate. A context sensitive Help window is available by clicking Help. A window will appear and the help text will change as you move the mouse over different controls.
- Page 7 Congratulations! You are off and running! MicroStrain Support Engineers are always available by phone, email or SKYPE to assist you in any way we can. Caution ® Do not bring the 3DM-GX3 into contact or close proximity with magnets. Magnets will at a minimum disrupt the sensor’s operation and can cause permanent damage to its components.
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