Magnetometer Digital Triple Axis - HMC5843

Replacement:COM-10494. Honeywell has released a new rev of this magnetometer, go check it out! This page is for reference only.

This is Honeywell's HMC5843, a 3-axis digital magnetometer designed for low-field magnetic sensing. The sensor has a full-scale range of ±4 guass and a resolution of up to 7 milli-gauss.

Supplied voltage should be between 2.5 and 3.3VDC.

Communication with the HMC5843 is simple and all done through an I2C interface. All registers and operating modes are well described in the datasheet below.

Comes in a low-height, LCC surface mount package. For a breakout board, see below.

  • Simple I2C interface
  • 2.5 to 3.3VDC supply range
  • Low current draw
  • 7 milli-gauss resolution
  • Low-cost
  • 4.0x4.0x1.3mm

Magnetometer Digital Triple Axis - HMC5843 Product Help and Resources

Core Skill: Soldering

This skill defines how difficult the soldering is on a particular product. It might be a couple simple solder joints, or require special reflow tools.

3 Soldering

Skill Level: Competent - You will encounter surface mount components and basic SMD soldering techniques are required.
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Core Skill: Programming

If a board needs code or communicates somehow, you're going to need to know how to program or interface with it. The programming skill is all about communication and code.

3 Programming

Skill Level: Competent - The toolchain for programming is a bit more complex and will examples may not be explicitly provided for you. You will be required to have a fundamental knowledge of programming and be required to provide your own code. You may need to modify existing libraries or code to work with your specific hardware. Sensor and hardware interfaces will be SPI or I2C.
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Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping

If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.

3 Electrical Prototyping

Skill Level: Competent - You will be required to reference a datasheet or schematic to know how to use a component. Your knowledge of a datasheet will only require basic features like power requirements, pinouts, or communications type. Also, you may need a power supply that?s greater than 12V or more than 1A worth of current.
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Comments

Looking for answers to technical questions?

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  • Scott14 / about 14 years ago / 2

    Not to be too picky but . . . the chip in the picture with the quarter is a Gyro, not the HMC5843.
    Just saying . . .

  • Calif / about 11 years ago / 1

    It's really hard to get working. 1st, the internal pullups aren't good enough to get readings any faster than 10Hz. It needs external pullups for any useful rate.

    2nd, it requires SCK to be low during all SDA transitions. Most I2C devices let you get away with changing SDA while raising SCK.

    3rd, the required voltage stability is insane. It needs under 50mA voltage ripple on DVDD & AVDD. The tolerance is slightly higher on AVDD. If AVDD is too unstable, I2C doesn't work at all. If DVDD is too unstable, it doesn't take any readings. To coexist with a 900Mhz radio & aircraft noise, it's going to take a serious, heavy LRC circuit & possibly a LDO regulator.

  • Member #371960 / about 12 years ago / 1

    Hi, can this work on linux? if yes then is what version??

    • MikeGrusin / about 12 years ago / 1

      The question to ask is whether your proposed system has an I2C interface. If it does (and you write the proper software) then this device will work with it.

  • labreuer / about 12 years ago / 1

    The datasheet above differs from the one available from Honeywell's website; SF's datasheet does not mention the 116 Hz maximum output rate, available via using "single measurement mode". The HMC5883L supports 160 Hz via single measurement mode, FYI. (75 Hz maximum with continuous measurement mode, compared to the 5843's 50 Hz)

  • Member #128690 / about 13 years ago / 1

    Has anyone used one of these and translated "7 milli-gauss resolution" to actual degrees?

  • Mazeyar / about 13 years ago / 1

    I tried soldering HMC5843 with hot air gun and I think I overheat HMC5843 more than 260 C, is there any tutorial for soldering HMC5843 without stencil and solder past? cause I don't have stencil :(

    • ozzy_dm / about 13 years ago / 1

      The tricky part is to align the pads.
      Patience, a good solder iron, quality solder in paste (AIM Australia is quite good) and a magnifier is all you need. :-D

  • Anyone know a source to buy these from?
    Thanks

  • Kirk R / about 13 years ago / 1

    Please mark this part and the carrier board with EOL. It sucks when it is missed and a PCB is done and then you realize you cannot buy the part anymore...

    • The replacement HMC5883 should be a good drop-in replacement for this particular model.

      • ozzy_dm / about 13 years ago / 1

        But is not pin-to-pin compatible, though.
        Therefore, the board need to be redesigned.
        Any idea when the HMC5883L are coming?

        • very soon. it just started shipping out.

          • ozzy_dm / about 13 years ago / 1

            Thanks. :-)
            I would like to ask you to sell it as single chip as well.
            Not only soldered in a breakout board, I mean.

  • wljones / about 13 years ago / 1

    Notice this part is going EOL this year. Any plans on selling its replacement, HMC5883, or rolling out new eval boards with the new part?
    Thanks!

    • There are plans for both-just waiting to get all the parts and get organized properly. Within the next couple of months hopefully.

  • Ilektron / about 14 years ago / 1

    Anybody know if these perform better at 2.5V than 3.3V? aka, more accurate compass results?

  • Ptacnik / about 14 years ago / 1

    WE WANT MORE !!!! :( pleace !!

  • momo09 / about 15 years ago / 1

    Hello,
    Did you plan to order HMC5843 chips again ?
    thanks !

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