Bluetooth Magnetometer Service

For another device like a smartphone to use any of the Bluetooth “services” which the micro:bit has, it must first be paired with the micro:bit. Once paired, the other device may connect to the micro:bit and exchange data relating to many of the micro:bit’s features.

The Bluetooth magnetometer service allows another device such as a smartphone to wirelessly receive data from the micro:bit’s magnetometer. The magnetometer measures the strength and direction of magnetic fields including the earth’s and so it can be used as a digital compass and indicate the way the micro:bit is pointing relative to magnetic north.

Using the Bluetooth magnetometer service you could, for example, create a smartphone application which displays your direction of travel, updating it in real time.

No additional code is needed on the micro:bit to use the Bluetooth magnetometer service from another device.

bluetooth.startMagnetometerService();

Example: Starting the Bluetooth magnetometer service

The following code shows the Bluetooth magnetometer service being started:

bluetooth.startMagnetometerService();

Video - Magnetometer service demo

Advanced

For more advanced information on the micro:bit Bluetooth magnetometer service including information on using a smartphone, see the Lancaster University micro:bit runtime technical documentation

See also

About Bluetooth, micro:bit Bluetooth profile overview , micro:bit Bluetooth profile reference, Bluetooth on micro:bit resources, Bluetooth SIG

bluetooth