If you are located in the United States, LORD MicroStrain^® supplies you directly.  If you are in located in another country, LORD MicroStrain^® products are available exclusively from LORD MicroStrain^® distributors.  Please use this locator to determine your distributor: http://www.microstrain.com/support/international

LORD MicroStrain^® Support Engineers are always available to support you in any way we can by phone, email, SKYPE or Live Chat from our home page.  Contact details may be found at: http://www.microstrain.com/support/contact-support

LORD MicroStrain^® warrants its standard products to be free from defective material and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the original date of purchase.  Warranty details may be found at: http://www.microstrain.com/support/warranty

Here is a technical note on the subject: http://files.microstrain.com/NumberedTechNotes/Inertial/TN-I0025-3DM-GX3-25-Capture-Gyro-Bias.pdf

Yes.  We have had good success with several types of off-the-shelf USB to serial port adaptors, such as those from IOGear and Keyspan, which may be purchased through any of the electronics products distributors.

The standard unit uses a specialized Ulti-Mate brand micro-DB9.  This technical note contains more details: http://files.microstrain.com/TN-I0023_Inertia-Link_3DM-GX2_3DM-GX3_Pin-Outs.pdf

The OEM unit uses a Samtec FTSH-105-01-F-D-K.  This technical note contains more details: http://files.microstrain.com/3DM-GX3-25_OEM_Footprint_and_Connector.pdf

LORD MicroStrain^® suggests that you purchase additional connectors with your order.

The 3DM-GX3 is calibrated at the factory.  The user is also provided with Hard and Soft Iron Calibration software to field calibrate the GX3 in situ.  This video further describes the function: http://www.microstrain.com/video/hard-soft-iron-calibration

Important note: Hard and soft iron calibration is not required for the 3DM-GX3-15 and the 3DM-GX315 OEM.  These units do not contain magnetometers.

From time to time the 3DM-GX3 may need recalibration. For example, as a result of coming in contact with magnetic influences (magnets, motors, etc.), residual magnetism may be picked up by the on-board components which will alter the calibration.  Another example: the 3DM-GX3 receives a severe shock, slightly altering the position of the circuit boards in relation to the enclosure, again altering the calibration.  In these cases the unit should be returned to the factory for recalibration.

Yes. Any number of units can be operated by a host at the same time. Several considerations surround this implementation (primarily computing power) and we suggest that you discuss your requirements with LORD MicroStrain^® sales or a support engineer.

Yes, there are no limitations.  However, if a user requires a ‘zeroing’ of the axes, this must be done in the user’s external application.  Good practice dictates that the orientation matrix be used to calculate such zeroing.  Please also be aware of the mathematical singularity in Euler angles.

The user should be aware that the Euler angle formulation in general contains a mathematical singularity at Pitch = +90 or –90 degrees. In practice, poor numerical results will be present if the Pitch angle exceeds +/-70 degrees. In applications where the Pitch angle cannot be guaranteed to exceed these values, it is recommended that the orientation matrix output be utilized instead.

The baud rate is user adjustable and may be set to 9600, 19200, 115200 (default), 230400, 460800, and 921600.

The following orientation outputs formats are available:

• Acceleration
• Angular Rate
• Magnetic Vector
• DeltaAngle and DeltaVelocity
• Orientation Matrix
• Quaternion
• Euler Angles (pitch, roll and yaw)
• ...and more.

A detailed description of these outputs can be found in the Data Communications Protocol manual of each product.

Yes. We provide a complete data communications protocol manual which describes in detail each and every command and response that is available with the device.  Applications may be developed in any programming environment (C, VB, LabVIEW, Linux, Matlab, etc.) which supports serial communication.

When you initially purchase a 3DM-GX3, a starter kit (SK) provides you with everything you need to get started! SKs include a 3DM-GX3 module, communication and power cables, software, manuals and GPS antenna if applicable.  In subsequent purchases you may only require additional modules or other individual components. Several communication interfaces are available creating several starter kit variations.