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Unlike a conventional compass, this compass doesn't always point north. Instead, it shows you which way to turn in order to be facing north.
Unlike a conventional compass, this compass doesn't always point north. Instead, it shows you which way to turn in order to be facing north.
Rotate until the arrow is facing straight ahead, and you're looking north.
Rotate until the arrow is facing straight ahead, and you're looking north.
What you need
What you need
- micro:bit
- Battery Pack
- USB cable if using a computer
Program
Program
You tell computers like the micro:bit what to do by giving them instructions. Sets of instructions for computers are called programs. Programs are written in code, a language that both you and the computer can understand.
You tell computers like the micro:bit what to do by giving them instructions. Sets of instructions for computers are called programs. Programs are written in code, a language that both you and the computer can understand.
You can program your micro:bit in the online MakeCode block or Python text editors.
You can program your micro:bit in the online MakeCode block or Python text editors.
Connect your micro:bit to your computer. You will plug your Mircro:Bit into your keyboard.
Connect your micro:bit to your computer. You will plug your Mircro:Bit into your keyboard.
Step 3: Transfer from a Computer
Step 3: Transfer from a Computer
Transferring your program to your micro:bit is called flashing because it copies your program into the micro:bit’s flash memory.
Transferring your program to your micro:bit is called flashing because it copies your program into the micro:bit’s flash memory.
Your micro:bit will pause and the yellow LED on the back will blink while your program is being transferred. Once it’s copied across, your program starts running on your micro:bit.
Your micro:bit will pause and the yellow LED on the back will blink while your program is being transferred. Once it’s copied across, your program starts running on your micro:bit.
There are two ways to transfer your program from a computer:
There are two ways to transfer your program from a computer:
- Drag and drop is like copying a downloaded file from your computer to a USB memory stick. It works on any computer.
- Direct flashing sends your program from the code editor direct to your micro:bit. It works on any computer in two popular web browsers.
Drag and Drop Video of transferring programs!
Drag and Drop Video of transferring programs!
After Loading your Program
After Loading your Program
Once you've loaded the program onto your micro:bit, you'll see a message prompting you to move your micro:bit in a certain way. Follow the instructions. This will happen every time you flash a program onto the micro:bit that uses the magnetometer.
Once you've loaded the program onto your micro:bit, you'll see a message prompting you to move your micro:bit in a certain way. Follow the instructions. This will happen every time you flash a program onto the micro:bit that uses the magnetometer.
The purpose of moving your micro:bit this way is to calibrate its magnetometer. The magnetometer chip on the micro:bit is sensitive to local magnetic field variations. By moving the magnetometer in different directions, you hep its internal filtering software to compensate for local distortions to Earth's magnetic field. This is why it's a good idea to calibrate your compass again if you take it outside, away from the metal objects commonly found indoors. Also, a battery pack can affect the magnetometer, so it's best to calibrate with the same hardware you'll use.
The purpose of moving your micro:bit this way is to calibrate its magnetometer. The magnetometer chip on the micro:bit is sensitive to local magnetic field variations. By moving the magnetometer in different directions, you hep its internal filtering software to compensate for local distortions to Earth's magnetic field. This is why it's a good idea to calibrate your compass again if you take it outside, away from the metal objects commonly found indoors. Also, a battery pack can affect the magnetometer, so it's best to calibrate with the same hardware you'll use.
To use the compass:
To use the compass:
Attach the battery pack to your micro:bit and take it outside, well away from items such as computers and household appliances. Hold the micro:bit level (so it's flat). If the arrow points to the right or left, slowly turn in that direction until the arrow points straight ahead. When it does, you're facing magnetic north.
Attach the battery pack to your micro:bit and take it outside, well away from items such as computers and household appliances. Hold the micro:bit level (so it's flat). If the arrow points to the right or left, slowly turn in that direction until the arrow points straight ahead. When it does, you're facing magnetic north.
If the compass isn't pointing north try calibrating it again by pressing button A.
If the compass isn't pointing north try calibrating it again by pressing button A.
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