This is a placeholder topic for “SparkFun VR IMU Breakout - BNO086 (Qwiic)” comments.
The SparkFun VR IMU Breakout is a cutting-edge triple-axis accelerometer/gyro/magnetometer in a single package that you can connect via I2C and Qwiic!..
Read morehi guys, do you know if the magnetometer in the “SparkFun VR IMU Breakout - BNO086” would be sensitive enough to detect a strong rare earth magnet (ie 20mm dia x 10mm thick or bigger) from 1-1.5m away?
Hey @Stuart162817,
The magnetometer in this board is quite sensitive, listed on the datasheet as 1.4uT. Given that the typical use of this device is to orient according to the earth’s magnetic field, my thought process is effectively that you would need a stronger (or more dense) magnetic field at the location of the sensor than the earth’s magnetic field.
The magnetic field density of the earth ranges from 25uT - 65uT on the surface, and a rare earth magnet’s internal magnetic field density is dependant on composition, you can find typical values online quite easily, e.g.
I’m not convinced it would be strong enough to detect it. Rare earth magnets are strong. but 1m-1.5m of air is the magnetic equivalent of an open circuit, for lack of a better term.
What exactly is your project? I’d be curious to know what you’re making, that way I and others might be able to make more helpful suggestions.
