True North Technologies
Revolution™ UpgradeElectronic Compass
General Description
The Revolution Upgrade (TNT1500) combines a precision
3-axis solid-state magnetometer and a rugged 2-axis
electrolytic tilt sensor to provide accurate heading and tilt
measurements over a wide range of environmental
conditions. The firmware and signal processing
algorithms have been refined and improved over threeprior generations of compasses to deliver the ultimate inperformance from the available sensor data.
The TNT1500 is recommended for applications that
include surveying, antenna positioning, dead reckoning,
and as supplemental navigation when GPS is notavailable.

Why a Revolution?
Features






High Accuracy
Heading within 0.5 or better
Tilt within 0.3 or better
Wide Operating Range42 Pitch and Roll80 Dip angle rangeTemperature -40 to 105CFast Response
27.5 readings per second
Wake from standby in 50 msec
Single Supply Operation
6 to 45V unregulated DC
Low Power
25 mA operating
10 mA sample

2 mA standby
Wide Selection of Output dataHeading, pitch, and roll
Magnetometer X, Y, and ZDip angle

Total, horizontal, and vertical magnetic fieldstrength
Choice of Interface
Full-duplex RS-232

Full-duplex RS-485
In-System Configuration and Test
PC or laptop can be connected while unit
operates in-situ
Perform hard and soft iron calibration

Monitor outputs and change user-definablesettings

A key advantage of the Revolution is its quick-connect,
external serial interface. While the compass is in-place,and without disconnecting system wiring, a serial cable oravailable USB cable can be temporarily connected via theRJ12-style modular receptacle. This allows easy accessduring installation for calibration and tuning. It also
provides a valuable diagnostic port and can be used foran auxiliary read-out
when needed. Insituations where a fixedinstallation is notdesirable, the RJ12
connection can be used
exclusively.
Among the host of user
definable parameters isthe selection of NMEA
output data and update rate;
operating mode as continuous Attitude Display in PC Softwareor query-only; and angle data indegrees, mils, radians, or 16-bit integer (65536 counts per
revolution). Compensation for both hard and soft ironinfluences is built-in.

About True North
True North Technologies, a 25-year-old manufacturer,
offers a development kit that includes the compass, cable,and software. All products are made in the USA.

True North Technologies LLC • 43 Broad St. Suite B308 • Hudson, MA 01749 USA
Ph: 978-897-5400 • Email: info@tntc.com • Website: www.tntc.com© 2022 True North Technologies LLC

Revolution Upgrade Electronic Compass

Specifications
Heading Performance
Parameter

Value

Comments

Accuracy
Repeatability
Response time
Dip Angle Range
Tilt Range
Update rate 0.5 rms
 0.336 msec
 80
 42
27.5 per second

Typical, Tilt < 35 Dip < 60
No filter
Minimum, no filter

Parameter

Value

Comments

Accuracy
Repeatability
Range
Settling time 0.3
 0.20 42
0.5 sec

Factory calibrated
No filter

Value
25 mA operating
10 mA sample
2 mA standby
6 – 45 Vdc unregulated

Comments
typicaltypicaltypicalValue-40 to 105 °C-50 to 150 °C
0 to 90%

Comments

Pitch and Roll Performance

No damping

ElectricalParameter
Supply Current

Supply Voltage (VDD)

Environmental
Parameter
Operating Temp
Storage Temperature
HumidityNon-condensing

MechanicalParameter
Box
PCB Size
PCB Mounting
WeightConnectors

Value
Comments
Hammond Mfg1591MFL
1.8"W x 3.0"L x 0.6"HH required for tilt sensor
4 #4 screws, 1.4" x 2.2" spacing
3 oz. in box
8 pin, single-row, 0.1" friction header
6 pin RJ12 modular jackInterfaceParameter

Value

Signal type
Baud rate
Character Format
Input Buffer Size
Output Buffer Size
Output Format
Output Data Rate
Operating Modes
Angle Units

RS232 or RS4852400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, or 57600 bps
8 data, no parity, 1 stop
110 characters
110 characters
NMEA 0183 and binary
1 to 1650 sentences per minuteContinuous or sample
Degrees, mils, radians, 16-bit integer

True North Technologies LLC • 43 Broad St. Suite B308 • Hudson, MA 01749 USA
Ph: 978-897-5400 • Email: info@tntc.com • Website: www.tntc.com© 2022 True North Technologies LLC

Revolution Upgrade Electronic Compass