Getting raw readings from Compass

Question

Hi all,

I am writing an app that needs raw readings from the magnetometer (x, y and z, in nano or microteslas). I looked at the compass API (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/apps/windows.devices.sensors.compassreading) and it doesn't seem to give me those values, is there other API to get that?

thanks!

Anthony

Answer 1

The magnetometer is not exposed through the WinRT interface.  You can access it through the Sensor API:  http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dd318953(v=vs.85).aspx

Why do you need to access the magnetometer?

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Answer 2

It looks like sensor manager (CLSID_SensorManager) is if-def out with WINAPI_PARTITION_DESKTOP on metro apps, is there any other way to interact with the sensors without using sensor manager?

thanks!

Answer 3

You cannot use the Win32 Sensor API from a metro application.  You can only access it from a desktop application.

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Answer 4

Does that mean there's no way for me to get raw readings from the magnetometer? if so, is there a reason why the raw reading isn't part of the WinRT compass API?

Answer 5

That is correct, you cannot get the raw readings from the magnetometer from a metro application.  We did not have a scenario where the raw magnetometer data would be necessary.

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This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.