Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)

> Applications > Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)

In UAVs, especially multirotor drones, magnetometers are often the only onboard source of absolute heading. When GPS signals are blocked or jammed (which happens a lot in urban or indoor settings), the drone depends on clean azimuth data to stay on course. That’s where a reliable eCompass becomes essential.

At iSentek, we offer AMR-based magnetometers like IST8308 and IST8310, both well-suited for UAVs. Engineers use them in real autopilot systems today. They're small, stable, power-efficient, and most importantly, quiet on the signal line.

What You’re Really Up Against

  • Heading drift from hysteresis
  • Magnetic noise from ESCs and motors
  • Power consumption limits flight time
  • Temp stability affects long flights or altitude change

→ iSentek helps to resolve all the pain points with much better specs compared to counterparts.

Real-World Use: Drone Autopilot with IST8310

A UAV developer using the IST8310 for flight heading control reported improved azimuth accuracy in a GPS-denied basement warehouse. With ESCs nearby and limited space, legacy sensors gave unstable heading readings. Switching to the IST8310 with its low-noise AMR output and <0.1% hysteresis reduced orientation error and allowed more aggressive yaw maneuvers without data loss.

This sensor’s low-power profile let them run a 10Hz heading update loop during hover without pulling too much from the flight battery and keeping flight times within target.

How to Integrate for Best Results

  • Mount away from high-current lines. Even 2–3 cm helps cut EMI.
  • Avoid ferrous materials around the sensor. Use non-magnetic enclosures.
  • Pair with a 3-axis accelerometer. This enables tilt compensation. Without it, heading error can exceed 10° when the drone banks.
  • Do soft/hard iron calibration. Especially important for carbon frames with embedded wires or metal mounts.

Summary: Which One to Use?

So, use IST8308 if you need ultra-low noise and tighter temp control.
Or use IST8310 if you're optimizing for lower power and wider dynamic range.