Does the self-test of the LSM9DS1 magnetometer is the same as the LIS3MDL

[David M.]

Posted on August 30, 2017 at 19:09

I am trying to test the magnetometer on LSM9DS1 sensors.

Can I apply the same self-test range-values than the LIS3MDL compass to check the LSM9DS1? The fact is that the magnetometer in the LSM9DS1 seems to be a LIS3MDL (same documentation of the registers). I am using the

http://www.st.com/resource/en/application_note/dm00136626.pdf

, where the self-test procedure is explained in page 19, with self-test ranges indicated in table 17.

I already implemented a self-test procedure for the LSM9DS1 and I obtained for one sensor on which I suspect a problem the following values:

Average_X_self_test - Average_X_no_self_test = 2551 (no scale) = 0,93 gauss

Average_Y_self_test - Average_Y_no_self_test = 2682 (no scale) = 0,98 gauss

Average_Z_self_test - Average_Z_no_self_test = -415 (no scale) = -0,15 gauss

And for a second sensor that seems ok, the values are:

Average_X_self_test - Average_X_no_self_test = -4476 (no scale) = -1,64 gauss

Average_Y_self_test - Average_Y_no_self_test = -4473 (no scale) = -1,64 gauss

Average_Z_self_test - Average_Z_no_self_test = -515 (no scale) = -0,19 gauss

Values are consistent on several runs of self-tests. And if I take the ranges mentioned in the application note of the LIS3MDL, it means that the first sensor is broken.

Thank you for your support.

Best,

David

#lsm9ds1 #lis3mdl #magnetometer #self-test

[Petr S · Accepted solution]

Posted on September 05, 2017 at 11:56

Hello David,

as mentioned in another thread you can use

http://www.st.com/content/ccc/resource/technical/document/application_note/69/d7/05/fe/a9/3e/4b/ea/DM00136626.pdf/files/DM00136626.pdf/jcr:content/translations/en.DM00136626.pdf

 for LSM9DS1 magnetometer selftest including the limits. If the first sensor you mentioned is not broken than it's at least marginal.

Regards,

Petr