Compass

Introduction

This tutorial will show you how to program a script that displays which direction the micro:bit is pointing. Let’s get started!

Step 1

Store the ||input:compass heading|| of the micro:bit in a variable called ||variables:degrees|| in the ||basic:forever|| loop.

basic.forever(() => {
    let degrees = input.compassHeading()
})

Step 2

||logic:If|| ||variables:degrees|| is ||logic:less than|| 45, then the compass heading is mostly pointing toward North. ||basic:Show|| N on the micro:bit.

basic.forever(() => {
    let degrees = input.compassHeading();
    if (degrees < 45) {
        basic.showString("N");
    }
});

Step 3

||logic:If|| ||variables:degrees|| is less than 135, the micro:bit is mostly pointing East. ||basic:Show|| E on the micro:bit.

basic.forever(() => {
    let degrees = input.compassHeading();
    if (degrees < 45) {
        basic.showString("N");
    }
    else if (degrees < 135) {
        basic.showString("E");
    }
});

Step 4

Go to the simulator and rotate the micro:bit logo to simulate changes in the compass heading.

Step 5

||logic:If|| ||variables:degrees|| is less than 225, the micro:bit is mostly pointing South. ||basic:Show|| S on the micro:bit.

basic.forever(() => {
    let degrees = input.compassHeading();
    if (degrees < 45) {
        basic.showString("N");
    }
    else if (degrees < 135) {
        basic.showString("E");
    }
    else if (degrees < 225) {
        basic.showString("S");
    }
});

Step 6

||logic:If|| ||variables:degrees|| is less than 315, the micro:bit is mostly pointing West. ||basic:Show|| W on the micro:bit.

basic.forever(() => {
    let degrees = input.compassHeading();
    if (degrees < 45) {
        basic.showString("N");
    }
    else if (degrees < 135) {
        basic.showString("E")
    } else if (degrees < 225) {
        basic.showString("S")
    } else if (degrees < 315) {
        basic.showString("W")
    }
});

Step 7

||logic:If|| none of these conditions returned true, then the micro:bit must be pointing North again. Display N on the micro:bit.

basic.forever(() => {
    let degrees = input.compassHeading();
    if (degrees < 45) {
        basic.showString("N");
    }
    else if (degrees < 135) {
        basic.showString("E");
    }
    else if (degrees < 225) {
        basic.showString("S");
    } 
    else if (degrees < 315) {
        basic.showString("W")
    } 
    else {
        basic.showString("N")
    }
});

Step 8

If you have a micro:bit, click |Download| and follow the screen instructions. You will have to follow the screen instructions to calibrate your compass.