PNI Introduces the New PRIME 3-Axis Digital Compas
SANTA ROSA, California — June 1, 2009 — PNI Sensor Corporation, the leader in compass technology for the oceanographic and robotic industries, announces the release of its new low-cost Prime 3-axis Digital Compass. This heading and orientation module provides pinpoint-accurate compass heading, pitch and roll readings over a wide variety of conditions. This includes anywhere GPS is compromised or unavailable — underwater, under bridges, under roofs, or underground.An exceptional value with a one-off list price of only $275, the Prime combines PNI’s patented magneto-inductive sensor technology, a 3-axis accelerometer, and PNI’s proven algorithms in a design solution that provides a high signal-to-noise ratio, is immune to background electrical noise, and is free of offset drift. The Prime is an ideal component for consumer items such as binoculars and telescopes as well as many sea-based technology applications.
Design and application specifics include: Applies PNI’s industry-leading magnetic distortion compensation algorithms for cases where local magnetic and ferrous sources distort the earth’s magnetic field. Incorporates PNI’s patented magneto-inductive sensors and intelligent power-saving algorithms, consuming less than half the power of magneto-resistive-based compasses. Unlike competitive products, the Prime works well at high and low latitudes where the earth’s magnetic field has a very high Z-axis component. Applications include inclusion in binoculars and telescopes, robots and small unmanned vehicles, sonobuoys, acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs), and seismic monitoring equipment.
For further information about PNI’s Prime or other sensor solutions, check our website at www.pnicorp.com or email customerservice@pnicorp.com.
About PNI Sensor Corporation PNI Sensor Corporation revolutionized the compass technology market in the early 1990s, releasing the first electronic vehicle compass, the first fully electronic compass sensor module and the first handheld electronic compass. The company’s proprietary magneto-inductive sensor technology drives over 90% of the compasses on the market today and is the prevailing compass technology for Toyota, Ford, and BMW vehicles. PNI orientation sensor modules are used in high-end oceanographic equipment and by leading robotics manufacturers (iRobot, QinetiQ North America/Foster-Miller) in their remote-operated and autonomous robots and robotic vehicles.