HMC6343 datasheet, price & Arduino | breakout & compass

Trying to use an HMC6343 compass as an IMU

HMC6343

The HMC6343 is a compact, high-performance module that combines a 3-axis magnetometer and accelerometer. This makes it perfect for applications that need precise orientation and navigation, like robotics, drones, and wearables. It’s designed for accuracy, especially in magnetic field measurements, so it’s great when heading data is crucial. Plus, it uses low power, making it ideal for battery-powered devices.

It communicates via I2C or SPI, so it’s easy to connect to microcontrollers or other systems for real-time control. The HMC6343 also works as a digital compass, giving you heading info based on the Earth’s magnetic field, which is key for navigation. And it’s built with calibration and sensor fusion algorithms to ensure accurate readings with minimal manual setup.

HMC6343 Pinout and Connections

The VDD pin (Pin 1) powers the HMC6343, so make sure to provide a stable voltage between 3.3V and 5V for it to run smoothly. GND (Pin 2) is where you’ll connect the ground, ensuring everything has a solid reference.

For I2C communication, connect the SDA (Pin 3) and SCL (Pin 4) pins to the I2C lines on your microcontroller. If you’re using SPI, the CS pin (Pin 5) needs to be pulled low to start communication with the HMC6343.

The DRDY pin (Pin 7) will go low when new data is ready to be read. This is handy for real-time data retrieval, helping you sync data reading with your system’s timing.

HMC6343 Equivalent Compass Sensor

When looking for a replacement for the HMC6343, think about what features you need. If you only need a magnetometer, the HMC5883L or QMC5883L are good options. They’re small, accurate, and have low power consumption, which makes them perfect for compact, battery-powered devices. The downside is that they don’t have an accelerometer, so if you need tilt measurement too, you’ll want to consider the LSM303D. It has both a magnetometer and an accelerometer, making it a better fit for more complex projects, though it comes in a larger package.

Also, be sure to check that the voltage and communication interface (I2C/SPI) match your system’s needs.

HMC6343 Compass Sensor Circuit Example

The HMC6343 sensor combines a 3-axis magnetometer and accelerometer, giving you both direction and acceleration data. It’s great for applications like navigation, robotics, and drones.

In this circuit, the HMC6343 communicates with an Arduino through the I2C interface using the SDA (data) and SCL (clock) pins. The magnetometer measures the magnetic field to determine direction, while the accelerometer measures motion and tilt.

Since Arduino uses 5V for I2C and the HMC6343 needs 3.3V, a logic level converter is used to safely match the voltage levels. This ensures smooth communication between the sensor and Arduino.

This setup is perfect for tracking direction and motion in robots, drones, or even wearable devices, offering accurate positioning and orientation data.

HMC6343 I2C Communication Setup

To get the HMC6343 working with an Arduino, you’ll need a few key components. First, connect the HMC6343’s SDA and SCL pins to the Arduino’s corresponding pins (A4 and A5 on Arduino Uno) using a logic level converter to match the 3.3V logic of the sensor with the 5V of Arduino. After wiring everything up, you can use the I2C protocol to communicate between the two.

Next, in the Arduino IDE, make sure you have the Wire library installed for I2C communication. Then, upload a simple sketch to start reading sensor data. Once everything’s set up, you’ll see data coming from the sensor in the Serial Monitor, which you can then use to track direction or measure tilt.