Geometrics Forum - Recent Topics https://www.geometrics.com/community/ Geometrics Discussion Board en-US Fri, 03 Apr 2026 17:27:04 +0000 wpForo 60 Teensy 4.1 with MFAM https://www.geometrics.com/community/mfam/teensy-4-1-with-mfam/ Wed, 25 Mar 2026 09:21:36 +0000 Hi All,

 

We are using the Teensy 4.1 as a logger (Adafruit GPS is linked with the Teensy) for the MFAM SX. Below is the code for the Arduino IDE (Teensy), for people who might find it useful,

Roi

 

#include <NativeEthernet.h>
#include <SD.h>

// ---- NETWORK CONFIGURATION ----
byte mac[] = { 0xDE, 0xAD, 0xBE, 0xEF, 0xFE, 0xED };
IPAddress ip(192, 168, 2, 10);
IPAddress mfamIP(192, 168, 2, 2);
uint16_t mfamPort = 1000;

EthernetClient client;

// ---- PACKET STRUCTURE ----
const int PACKET_SIZE = 1380;
const int SAMPLE_SIZE = 32;
const int HEADER_SIZE = 16;
const int NUM_SAMPLES = 40;
const int SD_CHIP_SELECT = BUILTIN_SDCARD;

uint8_t buffer;
int bufferPos = 0;

// ---- SD CARD ----
File logFile;
bool sdReady = false;
unsigned long sampleCount = 0;
unsigned long fileStartTime = 0;
char filename;

// ---- AUXILIARY CHANNEL STORAGE ----
double gyroX = 0, gyroY = 0, gyroZ = 0, gyroT = 0;
double accelX = 0, accelY = 0, accelZ = 0, accelT = 0;
double compassX = 0, compassY = 0, compassZ = 0, compassT = 0;

// ---- GPS FROM ADAFRUIT MODULE ON SERIAL1 (Pin 0 = RX) ----
char gpsBuffer;
int gpsBufferPos = 0;
char gpsString = "";
char gpsDate = "00/00/00";
char gpsTime = "00:00:00.000";
bool gpsFix = false;
uint8_t tsStatus = 0;

// ---- OUTPUT CONTROL ----
// Set to 1 to log every sample, 10 for 100Hz, 20 for 50Hz, etc.
const int DOWNSAMPLE_FACTOR = 1; // 50 Hz output
int downsampleCounter = 0;

// How many minutes per file. Set to 10, 20, 60, etc.
const int FILE_MINUTES = 10;

// ---- LED INDICATOR ----
// Off = starting up
// Very slow blink (every 3 sec) = connected and logging
// Fast blink (4/sec) = connected but no data arriving
// Solid on = no SD card
// 3 quick flashes then pause = cannot connect to MFAM
const int LED_PIN = 13;
unsigned long lastBlinkTime = 0;
bool ledState = false;
unsigned long lastDataTime = 0;

// ---- FUNCTION PROTOTYPES ----
void createNewFile();
void parsePacket(uint8_t* pkt);
void parseAuxChannels(uint8_t* sample, uint16_t frameID);
void readGPS();
void parseGPRMC(char* sentence);
void writeSample(unsigned long timestamp, uint16_t fiducial, double mag1, uint16_t mag1s,
double mag2, uint16_t mag2s, uint16_t sysStatus);
int16_t toSigned16(uint16_t val);

void createNewFile() {
static int fileNumber = 0;
// On first call, find the next available file number
if (fileNumber == 0) {
char testName;
for (int i = 1; i <= 99999; i++) {
snprintf(testName, sizeof(testName), "MFAM_%05d.txt", i);
if (!SD.exists(testName)) {
fileNumber = i - 1; // Will be incremented below
break;
}
}
}

fileNumber++;
snprintf(filename, sizeof(filename), "MFAM_%05d.txt", fileNumber);

logFile = SD.open(filename, FILE_WRITE);
if (logFile) {
logFile.println("Mag 1,Mag 2,Fid,SysS,Mg1S,Mg2S,Gyro X,Gyro Y,Gyro Z,Gyro T,Accel X,Accel Y,Accel Z,Accel T,CompassX,CompassY,CompassZ,Comp T,Date,Time,TS Status,GPS");
logFile.flush();
fileStartTime = millis();
Serial.print("Logging to: ");
Serial.println(filename);
} else {
Serial.print("ERROR: Could not create ");
Serial.println(filename);
}
}

void setup() {
Serial.begin(115200);
delay(2000);

// Start GPS serial port (Adafruit Ultimate GPS defaults to 9600 baud)
Serial1.begin(9600);

pinMode(LED_PIN, OUTPUT);
digitalWrite(LED_PIN, LOW);

memset(gpsString, 0, sizeof(gpsString));

// Initialize SD card
if (SD.begin(SD_CHIP_SELECT)) {
sdReady = true;
Serial.println("SD card ready.");
} else {
Serial.println("WARNING: No SD card found. Serial output only.");
digitalWrite(LED_PIN, HIGH);
}

// Initialize Ethernet
Ethernet.begin(mac, ip);

if (Ethernet.hardwareStatus() == EthernetNoHardware) {
Serial.println("ERROR: No Ethernet hardware found!");
while (true) {}
}

Serial.print("Teensy IP: ");
Serial.println(Ethernet.localIP());
Serial.print("Connecting to MFAM at ");
Serial.print(mfamIP);
Serial.print(":");
Serial.println(mfamPort);

if (client.connect(mfamIP, mfamPort)) {
Serial.println("Connected to MFAM!");
} else {
Serial.println("Connection failed!");
}

Serial.println("Waiting for GPS fix...");

if (sdReady) {
createNewFile();
}

Serial.println("Mag 1,Mag 2,Fid,SysS,Mg1S,Mg2S,Gyro X,Gyro Y,Gyro Z,Gyro T,Accel X,Accel Y,Accel Z,Accel T,CompassX,CompassY,CompassZ,Comp T,Date,Time,TS Status,GPS");
}

void loop() {
// Always read GPS data from Serial1
readGPS();

if (!client.connected()) {
Serial.println("Disconnected. Reconnecting...");
if (sdReady && logFile) {
logFile.flush();
}
for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
digitalWrite(LED_PIN, HIGH);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(LED_PIN, LOW);
delay(100);
}
delay(1400);
client.connect(mfamIP, mfamPort);
if (client.connected()) {
lastDataTime = millis();
}
return;
}

while (client.available()) {
buffer = client.read();
bufferPos++;

if (bufferPos >= PACKET_SIZE) {
parsePacket(buffer);
bufferPos = 0;
lastDataTime = millis();
}
}

// LED patterns
if (sdReady) {
if (millis() - lastDataTime > 3000) {
if (millis() - lastBlinkTime > 125) {
ledState = !ledState;
digitalWrite(LED_PIN, ledState ? HIGH : LOW);
lastBlinkTime = millis();
}
} else {
if (millis() - lastBlinkTime > 1500) {
ledState = !ledState;
digitalWrite(LED_PIN, ledState ? HIGH : LOW);
lastBlinkTime = millis();
}
}
}

// New file every FILE_MINUTES minutes
if (sdReady && logFile && (millis() - fileStartTime > (unsigned long)FILE_MINUTES * 60UL * 1000UL)) {
logFile.close();
createNewFile();
}
}

// ---- GPS READING FROM ADAFRUIT MODULE ON SERIAL1 ----
void readGPS() {
while (Serial1.available()) {
char c = Serial1.read();

if (c == '$') {
gpsBufferPos = 0;
}

if (gpsBufferPos < (int)sizeof(gpsBuffer) - 1) {
gpsBuffer = c;
gpsBufferPos++;
}

if (c == '\n' || c == '\r') {
gpsBuffer = '\0';

if (strncmp(gpsBuffer, "$GPRMC", 6) == 0 || strncmp(gpsBuffer, "$GNRMC", 6) == 0) {
// Save full sentence for logging
strncpy(gpsString, gpsBuffer, sizeof(gpsString) - 1);
gpsString = '\0';

// Remove trailing newline/carriage return
int slen = strlen(gpsString);
while (slen > 0 && (gpsString == '\n' || gpsString == '\r')) {
gpsString = '\0';
slen--;
}

parseGPRMC(gpsBuffer);
}
gpsBufferPos = 0;
}
}
}

void parseGPRMC(char* sentence) {
// $GPRMC,HHMMSS.sss,A,lat,N,lon,W,speed,course,DDMMYY,...
char copy;
strncpy(copy, sentence, sizeof(copy) - 1);
copy = '\0';

char* token = strtok(copy, ",");
int field = 0;

while (token != NULL && field < 10) {
switch (field) {
case 1: // Time
if (strlen(token) >= 6) {
snprintf(gpsTime, sizeof(gpsTime), "%c%c:%c%c:%s",
token, token, token, token, token + 4);
}
break;
case 2: // Fix status
gpsFix = (token == 'A');
break;
case 9: // Date
if (strlen(token) >= 6) {
snprintf(gpsDate, sizeof(gpsDate), "%c%c/%c%c/%c%c",
token, token, token, token, token, token);
}
break;
}
token = strtok(NULL, ",");
field++;
}

// Update GPS bits of tsStatus
tsStatus = (tsStatus & 0x0C); // Keep MFAM PPS bits (3,2)
tsStatus |= 0x01; // Bit 0: RMC sentence received
if (gpsFix) {
tsStatus |= 0x02; // Bit 1: GPS fix valid
}
}

// ---- MFAM DATA PARSING ----
int16_t toSigned16(uint16_t val) {
if (val > 32767) return (int16_t)(val - 65536);
return (int16_t)val;
}

void parseAuxChannels(uint8_t* sample, uint16_t frameID) {
uint8_t auxID = (frameID >> 11) & 0x07;

uint16_t aux0 = sample | (sample << 8);
uint16_t aux1 = sample | (sample << 8);
uint16_t aux2 = sample | (sample << 8);
uint16_t aux3 = sample | (sample << 8);

switch (auxID) {
case 1:
compassX = toSigned16(aux0) / 0.01333333;
compassY = toSigned16(aux1) / 0.01333333;
compassZ = toSigned16(aux2) / 0.01333333;
compassT = toSigned16(aux3) / 128.0 + 25.0;
break;
case 2:
gyroX = toSigned16(aux0) / 16.384;
gyroY = toSigned16(aux1) / 16.384;
gyroZ = toSigned16(aux2) / 16.384;
gyroT = toSigned16(aux3) / 512.0 + 23.0;
break;
case 4:
accelX = toSigned16(aux0) / 16384.0;
accelY = toSigned16(aux1) / 16384.0;
accelZ = toSigned16(aux2) / 16384.0;
accelT = toSigned16(aux3) / 512.0 + 23.0;
break;
default:
break;
}
}

void writeSample(unsigned long timestamp, uint16_t fiducial, double mag1, uint16_t mag1s,
double mag2, uint16_t mag2s, uint16_t sysStatus) {

char tsStr;
snprintf(tsStr, sizeof(tsStr), "%d%d%d%d%d%d%d%d",
(tsStatus >> 7) & 1, (tsStatus >> 6) & 1, (tsStatus >> 5) & 1, (tsStatus >> 4) & 1,
(tsStatus >> 3) & 1, (tsStatus >> 2) & 1, (tsStatus >> 1) & 1, tsStatus & 1);

char sysHex, m1sHex, m2sHex;
snprintf(sysHex, sizeof(sysHex), "%04X", sysStatus);
snprintf(m1sHex, sizeof(m1sHex), "%04X", mag1s);
snprintf(m2sHex, sizeof(m2sHex), "%04X", mag2s);

char line;
snprintf(line, sizeof(line),
"%10.4f,%10.4f,%4d,%s,%s,%s,%10.2f,%10.2f,%10.2f,%5.1f,%8.5f,%8.5f,%8.5f,%5.1f,%8.1f,%8.1f,%8.1f,%5.1f,%s,%s,%s,%s",
mag1, mag2, fiducial, sysHex, m1sHex, m2sHex,
gyroX, gyroY, gyroZ, gyroT,
accelX, accelY, accelZ, accelT,
compassX, compassY, compassZ, compassT,
gpsDate, gpsTime, tsStr, gpsString);

if (sdReady && logFile) {
logFile.println(line);
if (sampleCount % 1000 == 0) {
logFile.flush();
}
}

if (sampleCount % 500 == 0) {
Serial.println(line);
}
}

void parsePacket(uint8_t* pkt) {
// Get PPS bits from MFAM system status
uint16_t firstSysStatus = pkt | (pkt << 8);
uint8_t mfamPPSbits = (firstSysStatus >> 12) & 0x0C;
tsStatus = (tsStatus & 0x03) | mfamPPSbits;

for (int i = 0; i < NUM_SAMPLES; i++) {
int offset = HEADER_SIZE + (i * SAMPLE_SIZE);

uint16_t frameID = pkt | (pkt << 8);
uint16_t fiducial = frameID & 0x07FF;

uint16_t sysStatus = pkt | (pkt << 8);

uint32_t mag1raw = pkt | (pkt << 8) |
((uint32_t)pkt << 16) | ((uint32_t)pkt << 24);
double mag1 = mag1raw * 0.05 / 1000.0;

uint16_t mag1status = pkt | (pkt << 8);

uint32_t mag2raw = pkt | (pkt << 8) |
((uint32_t)pkt << 16) | ((uint32_t)pkt << 24);
double mag2 = mag2raw * 0.05 / 1000.0;

uint16_t mag2status = pkt | (pkt << 8);

parseAuxChannels(pkt + offset, frameID);

sampleCount++;
downsampleCounter++;

if (downsampleCounter >= DOWNSAMPLE_FACTOR) {
downsampleCounter = 0;
writeSample(millis(), fiducial, mag1, mag1status, mag2, mag2status, sysStatus);
}
}
}
]]> Roi Granot https://www.geometrics.com/community/mfam/teensy-4-1-with-mfam/ Survey Manager quits when exporting to Montaj/GDB format https://www.geometrics.com/community/general-magnetometer/survey-manager-quits-when-exporting-to-montaj-gdb-format/ Wed, 17 Dec 2025 18:26:02 +0000 Survey Manager 3.5.1433 and earlier versions may exit unexpectedly after the user has selected "Export GDB" to export magnetometer survey data to a Montaj-compatible database..

Survey Manager may exit without notice or it may show some information about the failure, including steps to open a service request with Seequent.

On systems with Montaj 2025.1 or earlier, this issue may be fixed by updating Montaj to the most recent version (2025.2 at the time of this post) and verifying that Survey Manager is at its most recent version (3.5.1433 at the time of this post).

]]> Magnetics SW https://www.geometrics.com/community/general-magnetometer/survey-manager-quits-when-exporting-to-montaj-gdb-format/ Quickstart Guide Now Available https://www.geometrics.com/community/magarrow-magarrow-hardware/quickstart-guide-now-available-2/ Wed, 29 Oct 2025 16:31:38 +0000 here

]]> Gretchen Schmauder https://www.geometrics.com/community/magarrow-magarrow-hardware/quickstart-guide-now-available-2/ Quickstart Guide Now Available https://www.geometrics.com/community/magex-magex-application/quickstart-guide-now-available/ Wed, 29 Oct 2025 16:24:06 +0000 here

]]> Gretchen Schmauder https://www.geometrics.com/community/magex-magex-application/quickstart-guide-now-available/ Finding lost MagArrow II with a new MagArrow II https://www.geometrics.com/community/magarrow-hardware/finding-lost-magarrow-ii-with-a-new-magarrow-ii/ Wed, 24 Sep 2025 05:27:48 +0000 Hello everyone, my name is Devan, and I would like to open a discussion about finding a lost MagArrow.

To give you some background, I lost my MagArrow II while it was mounted below the DJI M400 during a flight mission in a highly dense forest. We have the drone flight log, which indicates that it was stuck in a tree within a 50 m radius of the last known location. We have searched the whole area, but due to a highly dense forest and steep terrain, it was very difficult to find the MagArrow II and the drone on foot.

For more than a month, I presume it was still perched within the tree canopy. And now we have bought a new MagArrow II to continue our survey. In this case, I desperately want to find and retrieve the lost MagArrow using the new device.

I have an idea that if I conduct a 5 m spacing grid in both East-West and North-South directions within a 100-meter radius of the last known location, we could eventually narrow down our perimeter by finding an anomaly that indicates the lost device. Therefore, I have a few questions:
1. How magnetic is the drone and the MagArrow II?
2. Is it feasible to find the old MagArrow with the new MagArrow with the stated method? Alternatively, do you have any effective suggestions for a different approach?

I appreciate any insights you can provide. Thank you!

]]> Muhammad Devandra https://www.geometrics.com/community/magarrow-hardware/finding-lost-magarrow-ii-with-a-new-magarrow-ii/ MagEditor instructional video is now online https://www.geometrics.com/community/general-magnetometer/mageditor-instructional-video-is-now-online/ Fri, 08 Aug 2025 18:21:14 +0000 Gretchen Schmauder https://www.geometrics.com/community/general-magnetometer/mageditor-instructional-video-is-now-online/ Request for Sample Data File https://www.geometrics.com/community/magarrow-magarrow-software/request-for-sample-data-file/ Fri, 01 Aug 2025 22:36:57 +0000 Could you please provide me with a sample data file recorded from the MagElement?

Thank you in advance for your assistance!

]]> Shinji Matsuda https://www.geometrics.com/community/magarrow-magarrow-software/request-for-sample-data-file/ Data storage to the MagElement unit https://www.geometrics.com/community/magarrow-magarrow-application/data-storage-to-the-magelement-unit/ Mon, 28 Jul 2025 06:19:50 +0000 Does the MagElement have the functionality to record the acquired data onto a device like an internal SD card?

]]> Shinji Matsuda https://www.geometrics.com/community/magarrow-magarrow-application/data-storage-to-the-magelement-unit/ Windows11 compatible MagLog software https://www.geometrics.com/community/software/windows11-compatible-maglog-software/ Tue, 15 Jul 2025 22:45:21 +0000 To make MagLog software compatible with Windows11 OS, follow the steps below:

1. Download and unzip the file below to your local computer.

141

2. Make sure the installed MagLog program is not running. If it is running in the background you will need to go to the task manager and manually close the program by selecting end task. For those that may have used to compatibility work around, revert back to default by unclicking Compatibility mode in the Properties>Compatibility menu of the MagLog software.

3. Navigate to the folder where the unzipped files are. Double click and run the "maglog2017.exe" file.

4. Once the MagLog user interface pops up, the software is updated. Close the program.

5. Now the installed MagLog program should be compatible with Windows11 even after the downloaded files, including "maglog2017.exe", are removed from your computer.

Please leave a message below if it does NOT work for you!

A new MagLog installer will come out later.

]]> Rui Zhang https://www.geometrics.com/community/software/windows11-compatible-maglog-software/ How to test the HVB-1 https://www.geometrics.com/community/geode-hardware/how-to-test-the-hvb-1/ Wed, 18 Jun 2025 15:27:44 +0000
  • ________Install 4ea new AA battery.
  • ________Install dummy blasting cap to “CAP” of HVB. Make sure a wire touch the pencil lead. See attached picture.
  • Connect the Bendix trigger connector to the Seismograph.
  • Press “ARM” button (and keep pressing “ARM” button thru all test finished) and observe LED on the “READY”.  It takes around 1-2 second after pressing “ARM”. 
  • _____________”READY” LED on around 1-2 second after pressing “ARM” switch.
  • Make sure wearing safety glasses to protect your eyes for next test.
  • _____________Wear safety glasses.
  • Press “FIRE” button while pressing “ARM” switch.  Observe dummy led cap sparks and “READY” LED off, and trigger the Seismic unit.
  • _____________Dummy led blasting cap sparks
  • ______________”READY” LED off.
  • ______________Trigger the Seismic unit
  • After firing the cap, “READY” LED lit on again within 5 seconds later
  • ______________Within 5 seconds after firing, the “READY” LED on again.
  • Pressing “FIRE” again. You may adjust dummy led blasting cap to see sparks.
  • ______________Fire works again.
  • ______________Trigger works again
  • Continue firing HVB 5 times.
  • ______________It works 5 times.
    • ]]>     Kolby Pedrie https://www.geometrics.com/community/geode-hardware/how-to-test-the-hvb-1/