TCM 3: Extra-wide tilt range in a low-power package.
2-axis Measurement
3-axis Measurement
3D Orientation
Hard-Iron Correction
High-Resolution/Accuracy
Integrated Processor
Low Power
Module
Soft Iron Correction

Legacy Products TCM LEGACY

PNI will continue to build and support these TCM's, but for new designs, the TCM-XB or the Prime are recommended.

The TCM family of sensor modules combines PNI's patented magneto-inductive sensors with a 3-axis MEMS accelerometer in a single temperature- and noice-stabilized design that's inherently free of offset drift. Using PNI's proprietary hard- and soft-iron correction algorithms, PNI TCMs calibrate out most magnetic anomalies for repeatable, high-resolution measurement across a broad range of navigation ann tracking applications.

Even in the most demanding conditions and environments, PNI TCMs deliver unmatched performance, making them ideal for application such as high performance ROV navigation, targeting systems, GPS system navigation, vehicle sensing and tracking, drilling and downhole applications, robotics and more.

Our legacy TCMs include the following models and configurations:

TCM2.5 and TCM2.6: Cost-effective, reliable compass heading with PNI ASCII Interface

TCM3: Extended tilt range and 0.5° accuracy with PNI Binary Interface.

TCM5:360° tilt-range and 0.3° accuracy with PNI Binary Interface.

TCM5LT: Compact footprint, 360° tilt-range and 0.3° accuracy with PNI Binary Interface.

  TCM2.5 TCM2.6 TCM3 TCM5 TCM5LT
Heading Accuracy
(RMS)1
0.8° 0.8° 0.5° 0.3° 0.3°
Tilt Range ±50° ±50° ±80° ±90° pitch
±180° roll
±90° pitch
±180° roll
Magnetic Distortion Correction hard iron hard iron hard and soft iron hard and soft iron hard and soft iron
TCM2 Backwards Compatibility protocol and footprint protocol no no no
Maximum Sample
Rate (Hz)2
≈30 ≈30 ≈30 ≈20 ≈20
Power Consumption
at Maximum Sample
Rate (mA)3
20 20 20 ≈22 11.5
Interface Protocol RS232 ASCII RS232 ASCII RS232 Binary RS232 Binary UART Binary
Size (cm) 6.4 × 5.1 × 1.4 3.5 × 4.3 × 1.3 3.5 × 4.3 × 1.3 3.5 × 4.3 × 1.3 3.5 × 3.1 × 1.3
Weight (g) 14 7 7 7 7
1Using standard (full range) calibration method
2The maximum sample rate is dependent on the strength of the magnetic field and typically will be from 25Hz to 32Hz
3Operation at slower sample rates will reduce power consumption