PNI TCM 2.6 - Manual (Page 7)

PNI Sensor Corporation DOC#1009269 r11
TCM2.5 & TCM2.6 User Manual Page 7 of 49
Reading Units:
 Compass: Use to select either Degrees or Mils as the unit of measure.
 Inclinometer: Use to select either Degrees or Mils as the unit of measure.
 Temperature: Use to select either Celsius or Fahrenheit as the unit of measure.
Default:
This button will set the TCM2.5/2.6 module back to the factory default settings for the
parameters shown on the screen.
Note: This is similar, but with less parameters, to the factory command.
[Calibration Tab ]
Start (stop)
Toggle button to begin and end calibration
Calibration Procedure:
1. Click on the button to begin.
2. Begin rotating the TCM2.5/2.6 in a circle while applying pitch and roll to the unit. The unit
will have the appearance of a “wobbling top” as it is moved through the calibration routine.
3. Turn the TCM2.5/2.6 around at least twice changing the pitch and roll as much as possible.
4. Each turn should take longer than 30 seconds. The turn does not need to be a perfect
circle. In the calibration mode, the TCM2.5/2.6 is trying to take as many different data
points as possible to determine the magnetic anomalies. The more pitch and roll points
you give it, the better it is able to determine the vertical magnetic fields. If possible, apply
as close to a ± 90˚ pitch and ± 90˚ roll. Doing so will improve the quality of the calibration.
Do not worry about exceeding the tilt range of the unit.
5. Once two complete rotations have been completed, click on the button to finish the
calibration.
Score
The TCM2.5/2.6 provides feedback on calibration through the calibration score, which has
the following format:
“...HnVnMn.n....”
The first two numbers in the calibration score, HnVn, respectively describe the quality of the
calibration for the horizontal component and vertical component of the host system’s local
magnetic field. Higher numbers reflect higher qua
lity. The highest possible score is a “9”.
The factors that contribute to a good score for Hn and Vn are as follows:
 a good, magnetically quiet location was chosen for the user calibration
procedure.
 the magnetic environment is stable; there are no large sources of changing
fields.
 the calibration data points included changes in system heading and inclination
to allow for proper measurement of the horizontal and vertical field vectors.

there are no significant soft-iron distortion effects.