What is wrong with the compass in this device?

[leonardv128]

Hi all, i just want to know why the E-Compass sensor seems to be not working in our devices if in the datasheet page says that is present? is this misleading advertising from Lenovo or what... here is the official link http://www.lenovo.com/products/us/tablet/ideapad/a2109/IdeaTab-A2109-datasheet.pdf in OTHERS can you see it.

 

[leeshor]

Welcome to the forum

Is yours not working at all or is it just way off?

 

[leonardv128]

Hi thanks, there is a thread in the Lenovo's forum page where some users talk about this issue, apparently im not the only one. I noticed that the compass was not working in the google maps app, then i installed various apps in the market like this, and neither worked.

 

[leeshor]

I have a suggestion. But your tablet face up on a table, (on a towel), [on] and try doing a dozen large figure eights to see if it calibrates.

 

[leonardv128]

No, i tried this but nothing hapens simply seems to be not present...

Enviado desde mi IdeaTabA2109A usando Tapatalk 2

 

[flashallthetime]

I believe our tablet only has an accelorometer and light sensor

Sent from my IdeaTabA2109A using Tapatalk HD

 

[mcl630]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure there's no compass.

 

[leeshor]

That certainly would explain why it isn't working.

 

[leonardv128]

Ok but if isn't present then why is listed in the datasheet??

Enviado desde mi E15i usando Tapatalk 2

 

[flashallthetime]

Ok but if isn't present then why is listed in the datasheet??

Enviado desde mi E15i usando Tapatalk 2

Download kernel tuner from the play store and look under system info, there's only 2 sensors

Sent from my IdeaTabA2109A using Tapatalk HD

 

[arbarnhart]

I have done some GPS related robotics programming. A compass is helpful for initial heading but once you are moving you can use the GPS. As long as you are getting satellites, GPS is actually more accurate because things like nearby electric motors and other EMI that play havoc with and compass don't affect GPS. So some apps may appear to get good compass readings but are actually using GPS. As soon as you stop, though, the GPS heading is junk.

 

[leonardv128]

Ok I agree with all your opinions but i disagree with LENOVO for post that datasheet http://www.lenovo.com/products/us/tablet/ideapad/a2109/IdeaTab-A2109-datasheet.pdf don't seems to be honest whit us...

 

[vampirefo.]

We have the compass module and it loads, no ideal why it doesn't work. Lenovo data sheet is correct we have compass it just doesn't work.

well it does work, just not the way we were wanting.

 

[jithoos]

doesnt work for me either.. still unable to update to JB.. is it working after upgradation..

 

[vampirefo.]

doesnt work for me either.. still unable to update to JB.. is it working after upgradation..

If you mean using an app, compass no, and it will never work, we have compass modules but they are different then than what would be required to run the compass apps. By providing compass modules Lenovo can get away with putting the word compass in their ads, we assume that the ads mean we can use apps called compass. But the word compass means something different to Lenovo.

Let me try to make it more understandable, if you look at the source code or if you build a kernel you will see or build these modules.

inv_mpu_ak89xx.ko
inv_mpu_ak8975.ko

They will be located /A2109N_GPL_kernel_570/drivers/misc/inv_mpu/compass

now if we go there and look at the Kconfig file we get.

menuconfig INV_SENSORS_COMPASS
	bool "Compass Slave Sensors"
	default y
	---help---
	  Say Y here to get to see options for device drivers for various
	  compasses. This option alone does not add any kernel code.

	  If you say N, all options in this submenu will be skipped and disabled.

if INV_SENSORS_COMPASS

config MPU_SENSORS_AK8963
        tristate "AKM ak8963"
        help
          This enables support for the AKM ak8963 compass
          This support is for integration with the MPU3050 or MPU6050 gyroscope
          device driver.  Only one compass can be registered at a time.
          Specifying more that one compass in the board file will result
          in runtime errors.

config MPU_SENSORS_AK8975
	tristate "AKM ak8975"
	help
	  This enables support for the AKM ak8975 compass
	  This support is for integration with the MPU3050 or MPU6050 gyroscope
	  device driver.  Only one compass can be registered at a time.
	  Specifying more that one compass in the board file will result
	  in runtime errors.

config MPU_SENSORS_AK8972
	tristate "AKM ak8972"
	help
	  This enables support for the AKM ak8972 compass
	  This support is for integration with the MPU3050 or MPU6050 gyroscope
	  device driver.  Only one compass can be registered at a time.
	  Specifying more that one compass in the board file will result
	  in runtime errors.

config MPU_SENSORS_MMC314X
	tristate "MEMSIC mmc314x"
	help
	  This enables support for the MEMSIC mmc314x compass
	  This support is for integration with the MPU3050 or MPU6050 gyroscope
	  device driver.  Only one compass can be registered at a time.
	  Specifying more that one compass in the board file will result
	  in runtime errors.

config MPU_SENSORS_AMI30X
	tristate "Aichi Steel ami30X"
	help
	  This enables support for the Aichi Steel ami304/ami305 compass
	  This support is for integration with the MPU3050 or MPU6050 gyroscope
	  device driver.  Only one compass can be registered at a time.
	  Specifying more that one compass in the board file will result
	  in runtime errors.

config MPU_SENSORS_AMI306
	tristate "Aichi Steel ami306"
	help
	  This enables support for the Aichi Steel ami306 compass
	  This support is for integration with the MPU3050 or MPU6050 gyroscope
	  device driver.  Only one compass can be registered at a time.
	  Specifying more that one compass in the board file will result
	  in runtime errors.

config MPU_SENSORS_HMC5883
	tristate "Honeywell hmc5883"
	help
	  This enables support for the Honeywell hmc5883 compass
	  This support is for integration with the MPU3050 or MPU6050 gyroscope
	  device driver.  Only one compass can be registered at a time.
	  Specifying more that one compass in the board file will result
	  in runtime errors.

config MPU_SENSORS_LSM303DLX_M
	tristate "ST lsm303dlx"
	help
	  This enables support for the ST lsm303dlh and lsm303dlm compasses
	  This support is for integration with the MPU3050 or MPU6050 gyroscope
	  device driver.  Only one compass can be registered at a time.
	  Specifying more that one compass in the board file will result
	  in runtime errors.

config MPU_SENSORS_MMC314XMS
	tristate "MEMSIC mmc314xMS"
	help
	  This enables support for the MEMSIC mmc314xMS compass
	  This support is for integration with the MPU3050 or MPU6050 gyroscope
	  device driver.  Only one compass can be registered at a time.
	  Specifying more that one compass in the board file will result
	  in runtime errors.

config MPU_SENSORS_YAS529
	tristate "Yamaha yas529"
	depends on INPUT_YAS_MAGNETOMETER
	help
	  This enables support for the Yamaha yas529 compass
	  This support is for integration with the MPU3050 or MPU6050 gyroscope
	  device driver.  Only one compass can be registered at a time.
	  Specifying more that one compass in the board file will result
	  in runtime errors.

config MPU_SENSORS_YAS530
	tristate "Yamaha yas530"
	help
	  This enables support for the Yamaha yas530 compass
	  This support is for integration with the MPU3050 or MPU6050 gyroscope
	  device driver.  Only one compass can be registered at a time.
	  Specifying more that one compass in the board file will result
	  in runtime errors.

config MPU_SENSORS_HSCDTD002B
	tristate "Alps hscdtd002b"
	help
	  This enables support for the Alps hscdtd002b compass
	  This support is for integration with the MPU3050 or MPU6050 gyroscope
	  device driver.  Only one compass can be registered at a time.
	  Specifying more that one compass in the board file will result
	  in runtime errors.

config MPU_SENSORS_HSCDTD004A
	tristate "Alps hscdtd004a"
	help
	  This enables support for the Alps hscdtd004a compass
	  This support is for integration with the MPU3050 or MPU6050 gyroscope
	  device driver.  Only one compass can be registered at a time.
	  Specifying more that one compass in the board file will result
	  in runtime errors.

endif

But the sensors needed to run the actual compass apps, are completely different sensors, than the modules we have.