Abstract: A fluxgate magnetometer drive circuit includes a fluxgate inductor that is driven through magnetic saturation by altering voltage pulses. Following each drive pulse, the spurred magnetic energy in the fluxgate is allowed to dissipate by connecting a fluxgate across a fixed reverse voltage. The time for the fluxgate current to decay to zero is measured and is indicative of a magnetic field induced in the torque transducer.

Abstract: A three-axis fluxgate-type circuit having three fluxgate sensors for outputting three analog voltage values respectively. A controller normalizes three digital voltage values corresponding to said three analog voltage values, select a set of linear voltage values from the three normalized digital voltage values and calculate an azimuth based on the set of linear voltage values.

Abstract: A method and device for reducing hysteresis in a torque transducer element includes a coil that is excited with an alternating current to produce a magnetic field that saturates the torque transducer element. Magnetic saturation of the torque transducer element is provided by an alternating frequency that exceeds any coercive force of the material. The alternating current is slowly reduced to substantially reduce undesired magnetic field. The coil assembly is excited with an amplitude frequency in such a manner as to remove only those components of the magnetic field that are not desired.

Abstract: A Printed Circuit Board (PCB) having a weak magnetic field sensor of the present invention includes a base plate on which a first excitation circuit and a first detection circuit are formed on each of the sides thereof, soft magnetic core bodies laminated on the top and bottom of the base plate, respectively, and formed of a plurality of soft magnetic cores, and outer layers that are laminated on the soft magnetic core bodies, respectively, and on which a second excitation circuit and a second detection circuit connected to the first excitation circuit and the first detection circuit through via holes are formed so as to surround the soft magnetic cores, respectively. The present invention is characterized in that the soft magnetic cores, the excitation circuit and the detection circuit formed on one side of the base plate are perpendicular to the soft magnetic cores, the excitation circuit and the detection circuit formed on the other side of the base plate.

Abstract: A magnetic azimuth measurement apparatus without arithmetic means nor any mechanical motion such as rotation, not affecting its mass production ability because of a simple configuration, and making it possible to measure a azimuth in higher precision, is provided. A trigger signal generates if a condition determining circuit detects that a switched output signal reaches a maximum (positive peak), and this trigger signal enables an output interface circuit to hold a switching signal. The switching signal held by the output interface circuit is a digital representation of a detection coil position parallel to an external magnetic field. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain the azimuth of the external magnetic field with respect to the sensor device.

Abstract: A three-dimensional magnetic bearing sensor 10a includes a first sensor 101, a second sensor 102, and a third sensor 103 each constituted by a magneto-impedance sensor element 10 comprising a magnetic sensitive member 2 having a characteristic changed responsive to an external magnetic field, an insulator 4 formed to allow penetration of the magnetic sensitive member 2 therethrough, and an electromagnetic coil 3 made up of foil-like conductive patterns 31, 32 arranged in adjacent relation on an outer surface of the insulator 4. The first sensor 101, the second sensor 102, and the third sensor 103 are disposed such that directions in which the magnetic sensitive members 2 in respective sensors have maximum magnetic field detection sensitivities are substantially orthogonal to each other.

Abstract: A flexible fluxgate including: at least two ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic, flexible cores; at least two sets of a plurality of windings of an electrically conductive material, at least one set of windings being wound around each of the cores; and an electrically conductive, flexible shield enclosing the cores and the windings. The fluxgate may have a considerable length, e.g. several hundreds of meters, and can be arranged in an open loop. The fluxgate may be used in an access control system. Various fluxgate magnetometers are disclosed as well.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluxgate micromagnetometer implemented in thin layers, fitted with at least one excitation coil with an arrangement and a structure that bring improvements particularly in terms of the magnetometer footprint, reduction in the “offsets” of measurements taken by the magnetometer, common mode rejection.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a multilayer wiring board proximity sensor includes forming a laminate, and fabricating a plurality of through-conductors through the layers of the laminate. The laminate has a plurality of layers including one or more core layers and a plurality of coil layers. Each core layer includes a core pattern formed of a permeable material, and each coil layer comprises at least one coil trace formed of a conducting material. Thus, the through-conductors may be fabricated through the layers of the laminate such that the coil traces are interconnected by the through-conductors to thereby form one or more coils disposed about at least a portion of the core patterns of the core layers.

Abstract: The invention concerns a magnetic field measuring device equipped with a fluxgate magnetometer, the device comprising: a magnetic sensor or magnetic sensor (110,210) capable of delivering at least one output signal (S2), and equipped with at least one magnetic core, means of exciting said magnetic core, comprising generating means (120,220,420) capable of emitting an excitation signal (S1, S10) at the input of the circuit or magnetic sensor, in the form of a succession of pulses (125,126,225,226), means (130,230,330,430) of sampling the output signal (S1) of the magnetic circuit (110,210), further comprising means for: following the emission of at least one given pulse of said succession of pulses, triggering at least one acquisition of the output signal (S2) of the magnetic circuit by the sampling means during the duration of said given pulse. The invention further concerns a method employed by means of such a device.

Abstract: A magneto impedance sensor element with electromagnetic coil comprised of: a terminal board on which an extended groove which extends in one direction has been formed; an electromagnetic coil, made with one part of the coil formed in a spiral shape inside the extended groove in the terminal board, and joined to each tip of that coil the other part of the coil placed across the top of the groove; insulating material placed in the extended groove on the terminal board; and a magnetic sensitive body inserted within the insulating material, to which either high frequency or pulse electic current is applied. When either high frequency or pulse electrical current is applied to the magnetic sensitive body, voltage is output from the above electromagnetic coil in response to the intensity of the external magnetic field which is generated in the electromagnetic coil.

Abstract: A fluxgate sensor is integrated in a printed circuit board. The fluxgate sensor has two bar-type(or rectangular-ring shaped) soft magnetic cores to form a closed magnetic path on a printed circuit board and an excitation coil in the form of a metal film is wound around the two bar-type soft magnetic cores either in a united structure that winds the two bar-type soft magnetic cores altogether, or in a separated structure that winds the two bar-type soft magnetic cores respectively, both in a pattern of number ‘8’. A pick-up coil is mounted on the excitation coil, either winding the two bars altogether, or respectively, in a solenoid pattern. The fluxgate sensor integrated in the printed circuit board can be mass-produced at a cheap manufacturing cost. The fluxgate sensor also can be made compact-sized, and at the same time, is capable of forming a closed-magnetic path.

Abstract: In a fluxgate sensor integrated in a semiconductor substrate and a method for manufacturing the same, the fluxgate sensor includes a soft magnetic core formed on the semiconductor substrate, an excitation coil winding the soft magnetic core and being insulated by first and second insulating layers deposited above and below the soft magnetic core, respectively, and a pick-up coil, winding the soft magnetic core and being insulated by third and fourth insulating layers deposited above and below the excitation coil, respectively.

Abstract: A differential magnetometer consisting of at least one active coil (4, 5) and a receiver coil (10) for which the windings are installed differentially, is provided with a measurement circuit (14) with a slaving device that corrects dissymmetry appearing between windings (11, 12) to eliminate residual induction at the frequency of the magnetic excitation field, intended to make the measurement coil (10) more sensitive without applying a voltage to it.

Abstract: In a sensing apparatus, and a control method of a sensing apparatus, the sensing apparatus includes a fluxgate including a driving coil for exciting a magnetic substance core with a current, first and second current amplifiers for applying the current to first and second ends of the driving coil, a pulse generator for generating a pulse to turn on/off the first and second current amplifiers, and a pulse controller for outputting a control signal allowing the pulse to be applied to the first and second current amplifiers, the pulse controller outputting the control signal at a start of a sensing cycle, the fluxgate generating an analog signal due to the excited magnetic substance, and an A/D converter for converting the analog signal from the fluxgate into a digital signal, wherein the pulse controller stops outputting the control signal when the A/D converter outputs the digital signal to the pulse controller.

Abstract: The magnetometer includes a magnetic core (1) with at least one branch (2, 3), at least one exciting coil (4, 5) and one take-up coil (10) sensitive to ambient fields thanks to the excitation field (B). An additional magnetic field, to advantage perpendicular to the previous ones, is added to eliminate very low frequency noises, without it being measured.

Abstract: A fluxgate magnetometer including a fluxgate and a digital processor. The digital processor includes an analog to digital converter for digitizing the back EMF from the fluxgate and a signal generator to generate the fluxgate driving signal. Further, a current sourcing circuit is provided to receive the fluxgate driving signal from the signal generator and transmit a current amplified driver signal to the fluxgate capable of driving the fluxgate in and out of saturation. The signal generator is a pulse width modulator used in conjunction with a voltage shaper and driver to create a triangle-shaped driving signal to excite the fluxgate. The digital processor is further configured to reverse the sign of the digital back EMF signal at a frequency corresponding to two times the frequency of the fluxgate driving signal thereby capturing only the second harmonic of the back EMF signal.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the present invention, a magnetometer includes at least one sensor for sensing a magnetic field component, a biasing circuit, and a processor. The sensor generates an output signal having a signal characteristic that varies in response to the sensed magnetic field component and in response to an applied bias. The biasing circuit dynamically biases the sensor in response to a bias setting signal. The processor is coupled to receive the output signal from the sensor and coupled to the biasing circuit. The processor is operable to generate the bias setting signal and thereby control the biasing circuit to dynamically bias the sensor such that the signal characteristic of the output signal is maintained in a target range. The processor determines the magnetic field component sensed by the sensor as a function of the bias setting applied to the sensor.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor for measuring at least two components of a magnetic field comprises a ferromagnetic core mounted on a semiconductor chip, an exciter coil to which a current can be applied and two read-out sensors. The ferromagnetic core is ring-shaped. The exciter coil is preferably formed from conductor tracks of the semiconductor chip and from bonding wires.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a magnetic sensitive member 11 including an amorphous wire, a detection coil 12 wound around the magnetic sensitive member 11, and a sample-and-hold circuit for detecting a voltage induced in the amorphous wire 11 when a pulse current is interrupted. The sample-and-hold circuit has a sample-and-hold unit B31 and a delay circuit. The sample-and-hold unit B31 includes an electronic switch S31, a capacitor C32, a resistor R32, a resistor R33, and a high-input amplifier A31. The delay circuit includes a resistor R31 connected to a control terminal of the electronic switch S31 and a capacitor C31.

Abstract: In a weak-magnetic field sensor a rectangular ring-shaped magnetic core is wound by exciting circuit patterns and detecting circuit patterns, and weak-magnetic field sensors are implemented in x-axis and y-axis directions, respectively, to precisely calculate azimuth, thereby sensing a weak-magnetic field having a strength similar to that of earth's magnetic field. The sensor includes a magnetic core having first and second cores connected in parallel to each other; exciting coils wound around the first and second cores, respectively, to supply alternating excitation current to the magnetic core; and a detecting coil alternately arranged together with the exciting coils on the same surfaces on which the exciting coils are formed, and wound around the first and second cores, in order to detect variation of magnetic fluxes generated in the magnetic core.

Abstract: A method of estimating target signals (dc or low frequency signals) by a dynamical fluxgate sensor and a low-power fluxgate magnetometer operating according to the method. The sensor is pre-biased with a periodic bias signal in the form of a superposition of a square wave and a triangular wave. The change in residence time statistics in the stable state of the sensor is analyzed for estimating the target signals.

Abstract: A fluxgate sensor integrated in a printed circuit board. The fluxgate sensor has soft magnetic cores having a lower core and an upper core mounted on the lower core, for forming a closed magnetic path on a printed circuit board, an excitation coil formed as a metal film, alternately winding the upper and the lower soft magnetic cores substantially in a number ‘8’ pattern, and a pick-up coil formed as a metal film, having a structure of winding the upper and the lower soft magnetic cores substantially in a solenoid pattern, the pick-up coil being placed on the same plane as an external contour of the excitation coil.

Abstract: A magnetic body having nonlinear permeability is influenced by a magnetomotive force, the magnitude of which is to be measured or controlled. An electric energy source is connected to a winding that is magnetically coupled to the magnetic body. The electric energy source generates an oscillating output so as to cause the magnetic flux within the magnetic body to oscillate at a predetermined frequency. The oscillating flux is associated with an exciting current and excitation voltage, both oscillating at the predetermined frequency. The nonlinear permeability of the magnetic body causes the waveform of the exciting current to have different symmetry than the waveform of the excitation voltage. The difference of symmetry is indicative of the polarity and average value of magnetomotive force experienced by the magnetic body. The difference in symmetry is used to measure the average magnetomotive force experienced by the magnetic body.

Abstract: A single-axis, fluxgate magnetometer apparatus comprises: an excitation subassembly comprising a toroidal core wound with a predetermined number of turns of an excitation coil; and a pick up subassembly comprising a coil form including a hollow chamber, and a predetermined number of turns of a pick up coil wound on the coil form about the hollow chamber, the excitation subassembly disposed in the hollow chamber of the coil form and secured in the hollow chamber at a desired position. A method of adjusting the single-axis, fluxgate magnetometer apparatus comprises the steps of: applying an excitation signal to the excitation coil while disposed in the hollow chamber; monitoring a signal waveform of the pick up coil responsive to the excited excitation coil; adjusting the position of the excitation subassembly in the hollow chamber to effect a desired signal waveform of the pick up coil; and securing the excitation subassembly in the hollow chamber at the position that provides the desired signal waveform.

Abstract: A magnetic field production system is proposed and has a two-dimensional winding configuration with two windings. The windings are disposed essentially orthogonally with respect to one another and enclose a machine or system. The windings have winding axes that are essentially at right angles to one another, and which are supplied with alternating variables via two feed circuits. In order to produce a two-dimensional, rotating magnetic field, the two alternating variables are at the same frequency, have similar current amplitudes and similar voltage amplitudes, and are synchronized to one another. A phase shift of preferably 90° is set between the alternating variable of the first feed circuit and the alternating variable of the second feed circuit. Furthermore, a three-dimensional magnetic field, as well as an configuration for wire-free supply of a large number of sensors and/or actuators using a magnetic field production system are possible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transformer bandwidth enhancement is disclosed. In one embodiment, a transformer is provided for use in a high frequency communication environment. In one configuration, the transformer is configured with one or more compensation networks to improve high frequency operation and to reduce insertion loss at all frequencies. The compensation networks may be designed, in combination with a transformer, to create an equivalent all-pass symmetric lattice network having a frequency response in the desired range. In one embodiment, the compensation networks comprise a capacitance creating device which, when cross-connected to the transformer, increases transformer bandwidth.

Abstract: The present invention is a magnetic field detection device that makes use of a frequency characteristic affording circuit in order to selectively detect magnetic signals from a frequency domain accurately at a high level of sensitivity. The present invention has a magneto-impedance element, a detector coil and a negative feedback coil which is wound around the magneto-impedance element, and a frequency characteristic affording circuit which affords a frequency characteristics on the negative feedback signal of a negative feedback connecting an output terminal thereof with the negative feedback coil. Using filters as the frequency characteristic affording circuit, the following are possible uses of this magnetic field detection device: a geomagnet detection device for earthquake prediction (using a high-pass filter), a bill validation apparatus for vending machines, etc. (using a low-pass filter), and a magnetic oscillation detection device for a magnetic gate system (using a band-reject filter).

Abstract: A fluxgate excitation circuit comprises an excitation inductor having a resistance Rsat and an inductance Lsat. Vin is provided by a half bridge converter of MOSFET switches (S1, S2). The excitation inductor is driven so that it enters saturation at the transition as the excitation cycle passes from positive to negative. Thus, a high input rms current value of the excitation circuit can be achieved. Because the excitation inductor is saturated for part of the cycle it may be much smaller than heretofore and have a smaller power supply. Thus, the circuit finds application in small devices.

Abstract: A magnetometer for measuring a magnetic field, comprising a fluxgate sensor with at least one ferromagnetic core, a primary, electrically conducting coil arranged around the core for periodical magnetisation of the core into magnetic saturation by an alternating electric current through the primary coil, and a secondary, electrically conducting coil arranged around the at least one ferromagnetic core for producing a measurable electromotive force as a response signal, wherein the magnetometer has means for rotating the at least one core of the fluxgate sensor with a steady rotation inside the coils during the measurement of the magnetic field.

Abstract: The present invention is a two-dimensional magnetic sensor having a first magneto-impedance sensor element including a first magneto-sensitive element and a first electro-magnetic coil which is wound around said first magneto-sensitive element; a second magneto-impedance sensor element including a second magneto-sensitive element and a second electro-magnetic coil which is wound around said second magneto-sensitive element; and an integrated circuit including an oscillator, a current switching element, a voltage detector, and an amplifier.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor for measuring at least two components of a magnetic field comprises a ferromagnetic core mounted on a semiconductor chip, an exciter coil to which a current can be applied and two read-out sensors. The ferromagnetic core is ring-shaped. The exciter coil is preferably formed from conductor tracks of the semiconductor chip and from bonding wires.

Abstract: The magnetometer includes a magnetic core (1) with at least one branch (2, 3), at least one exciting coil (4, 5) and one take-up coil (10) sensitive to ambient fields thanks to the excitation field (B). An additional magnetic field, to advantage perpendicular to the previous ones, is added to eliminate very low frequency noises, without it being measured.

Abstract: A differential magnetometer consisting of at least one active coil (4, 5) and a receiver coil (10) for which the windings are installed differentially, is provided with a measurement circuit (14) with a slaving device that corrects dissymmetry appearing between windings (11, 12) to eliminate residual induction at the frequency of the magnetic excitation field, intended to make the measurement coil (10) more sensitive without applying a voltage to it.

Abstract: A method of estimating target signals (dc or low frequency signals) by a dynamical fluxgate sensor and a low-power fluxgate magnetometer operating according to the method. The sensor is pre-biased with a periodic bias signal in the form of a superposition of a square wave and a triangular wave. The change in residence time statistics in the stable state of the sensor is analyzed for estimating the target signals.

Abstract: A printed circuit fluxgate sensor for use in magnetic gradient detection devices and the like includes a highly magnetically saturable core formed as a flat, closed loop that is bonded between two planar substrate members. An excitation coil is formed on the outer surfaces of the substrate members by masking and etching a layer of a conductive metal in a pattern of tracks that extend across the core. Each track end is connected through a metal plated bore hole through the substrates from one track end to the next adjacent track end on the opposite substrate to form a current path circling the core in a toroidal fashion. Indicia are provided on the sensor that define the mechanical axis and the magnetic axis of the sensor.

Abstract: A magnetic azimuth measurement apparatus without arithmetic means nor any mechanical motion such as rotation, not affecting its mass production ability because of a simple configuration, and making it possible to measure a azimuth in higher precision, is provided. A trigger signal generates if a condition determining circuit detects that a switched output signal reaches a maximum (positive peak), and this trigger signal enables an output interface circuit to hold a switching signal. The switching signal held by the output interface circuit is a digital representation of a detection coil position parallel to an external magnetic field. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain the azimuth of the external magnetic field with respect to the sensor device.

Abstract: A bounding box or volume of interest is flooded with a modulated AC electromagnetic signal from a source. Different types of modulated signals may be used, including single-tone AM and FM. One or more sensors disposed on an object or body within the volume are then used to detect the signal, and a digital and/or analog spectral and phase analysis is performed on the received signal in hardware or software. The processing distinguishes between the direct source to sensor response and the response due to eddy currents. By removing the response due to the distorters, the effects of the electromagnetic distortion can be removed through a more conventional “free-space” solution. The invention finds applicability in a wide variety of environments, including head tracking systems and helmet-mounted displays for fighter aircraft; head trackers for armored vehicles; medical-guided surgery and biopsy; remote sensing, among other potential uses.

Abstract: A weak-magnetic field sensor using printed circuit board manufacturing technique and a method of manufacturing the same which detects the Earth's magnetic field to obtain positional information is disclosed. The sensor comprises a first base board which is formed at its upper and lower surfaces with first driving patterns such that the upper and lower first driving patterns are electrically connected to each other, a pair of first stacked boards which are stacked on upper and lower surfaces of the first base board and which are formed with magnetic layers to be parallel to each other and patterned in a certain shape, and a pair of second stacked boards which are stacked on outer surfaces of the pair of first stacked boards and which are formed with second driving patterns electrically connected to the first driving patterns of the first base board to surround magnetic layers and formed with pickup patterns to surround the first and second driving patterns.

Abstract: A differential probe is scanned along a stator core tooth portion to detect lamination faults. The probe utilizes two magnetic flux injection yokes arranged side-by-side in relatively close proximity, each yoke having two arm portions and two core-tooth flux-injection surfaces, each yoke being wound with an excitation coil winding and at least one yoke-arm of each yoke having a magnetic flux sensor. Current is supplied to the excitation coil windings on each yoke to inject magnetic flux into the stator core laminations while the probe is moved in a scanning process along the core teeth across the laminations. The magnetic flux differential detected at adjacent regions in the core by flux sensors on each of the two yokes is used to incrementally evaluate the core for laminations faults. The output produced by the differential probe may be converted to a digital signal and provided to a computer system for storage and future analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a weak-magnetic field sensor using printed circuit board technology and method of manufacturing the same, in which a rectangular ring-shaped magnetic core is wound by exciting circuit patterns and detecting circuit patterns, and weak-magnetic field sensors are implemented in x-axis and y-axis directions, respectively, to precisely calculate azimuth, thereby sensing a weak-magnetic field having a strength similar to that of earth's magnetic field. The sensor includes a magnetic core having first and second cores connected in parallel to each other; exciting coils wound around the first and second cores, respectively, to supply alternating excitation current to the magnetic core; and a detecting coil alternately arranged together with the exciting coils on the same surfaces on which the exciting coils are formed, and wound around the first and second cores, in order to detect variation of magnetic fluxes generated in the magnetic core.

Abstract: A winding type magnetic sensor device includes a sensor core facing an object to be detected, an excitation coil wound around the sensor core, and a detection coil wound around the sensor core that defects a variation of magnetic flux corresponding to the object to obtain a detection signal for the object. A constant current drive circuit is provided that supplies a constant current to the excitation coil.

Abstract: A weak-magnetic field sensor using printed circuit board manufacturing technique which detects the Earth's magnetic field to obtain positional information, and a method of manufacturing the same is disclosed. The sensor comprises a first base board which is formed at its upper and lower surfaces with first driving patterns and first pickup patterns, a pair of first stacked boards which are stacked on upper and lower surfaces of the first base board and which are formed with magnetic layers thereon, and a pair of second stacked boards which are stacked on outer surfaces of the pair of first stacked boards and which are formed with second driving patterns and second pickup patterns electrically connected to the first driving patterns and the first pickup patterns of the first base board to surround magnetic layers. The magnetic layer, the driving patterns and the pickup patterns provided on the first base board are oriented to be perpendicular to those provided under the first base board.

Abstract: A weak-magnetic field sensor using printed circuit board manufacturing technique and a method of manufacturing the same which detects earth magnetism to obtain positional information is disclosed. The sensor comprises a magnetic layer patterned in a certain shape; a first stacked board stacked on a lower surface of the magnetic layer and formed with a first driving pattern; a second stacked board stacked on an upper surface of the magnetic layer and formed with a second driving pattern, the first and second driving patterns being electrically connected to each other; a third lower stacked board stacked on a lower surface of the first stacked board and formed with a first pickup pattern; and a third upper stacked board stacked on an upper surface of the second stacked board and formed with a second pickup pattern, the third lower and upper stacked boards being electrically connected to each other.

Abstract: An IC chip for a magnetic impedance (MI) sensor includes an MI element electrode, a switch unit, and a power supply electrode, wherein the MI element electrode is disposed in the neighborhood of a first side face of the IC chip, and the power supply electrode is disposed in the neighborhood of a second side face opposite the first side face. A power supply voltage is provided to the switch unit through the power supply electrode, and a high frequency pulse exciting current is provided to the MI element through the MI element electrode. Since the first power supply electrode and the MI element electrode are disposed at a distance, noise generated by the high frequency pulse exciting current is prevented from superposing the signals of circuits other than the switch unit.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the present invention, a magnetometer includes at least one sensor for sensing a magnetic field component, a biasing circuit, and a processor. The sensor generates an output signal having a signal characteristic that varies in response to the sensed magnetic field component and in response to an applied bias. The biasing circuit dynamically biases the sensor in response to a bias setting signal. The processor is coupled to receive the output signal from the sensor and coupled to the biasing circuit. The processor is operable to generate the bias setting signal and thereby control the biasing circuit to dynamically bias the sensor such that the signal characteristic of the output signal is maintained in a target range. The processor determines the magnetic field component sensed by the sensor as a function of the bias setting applied to the sensor.

Abstract: A printed circuit fluxgate sensor for use in magnetic gradient detection devices and the like includes a highly magnetically saturable core formed as a flat, closed loop that is bonded between two planar substrate members. An excitation coil is formed on the outer surfaces of the substrate members by masking and etching a layer of a conductive metal in a pattern of tracks that extend across the core. Each track end is connected through a metal plated bore hole through the substrates from one track end to the next adjacent track end on the opposite substrate to form a current path circling the core in a toroidal fashion. Indicia are provided on the sensor that define the mechanical axis and the magnetic axis of the sensor.

Abstract: A printed circuit board integrated with a two-axis fluxgate sensor includes a first soft magnetic core formed lengthwise in a first axial direction, a first excitation coil formed of a metal film and wound around the first soft magnetic core, a first pick-up coil formed of a metal film and wound around the first soft magnetic core and the first excitation coil, a second soft magnetic core formed lengthwise in a second axial direction, the second axial direction being perpendicular to the first axial direction, a second excitation coil formed of a metal film and wound around the second soft magnetic core, a second pick-up coil formed of a metal film and wound around the second soft magnetic core and the second excitation coil, and a pad for establishing conductivity between the first and second excitation coils and the first and second pick-up coils and an external circuit.

Abstract: A fluxgate micro-magnetometer with perpendicular detection and a process of realization thereof. A ferromagnetic core is perpendicular to a substrate. The axes of excitation coils and pick-up coils are also perpendicular to the substrate. A magnetic field component which is perpendicular to the substrate is thus measured. The two other components can be measured by magnetometers of classical type whose core is parallel to the substrate. Such a device may find application in the domain of magnetic measurement, as an example.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the present invention, a magnetometer includes at least one sensor for sensing a magnetic field component, a biasing circuit, and a processor. The sensor generates an output signal having a signal characteristic that varies in response to the sensed magnetic field component and in response to an applied bias. The biasing circuit dynamically biases the sensor in response to a bias setting signal. The processor is coupled to receive the output signal from the sensor and coupled to the biasing circuit. The processor is operable to generate the bias setting signal and thereby control the biasing circuit to dynamically bias the sensor such that the signal characteristic of the output signal is maintained in a target range. The processor determines the magnetic field component sensed by the sensor as a function of the bias setting applied to the sensor.