A new compact 2D planar fluxgate sensor with amorphous metal core

A new compact 2D planar fluxgate sensor using a ferromagnetic amorphous metal core is described, The fluxgate sensor consists of two orthogonal planar metallic coils and a ring shaped amorphous magnetic ribbon mounted on a PCB substrate. Each planar coil is used alternatively as excitation or as pick-up coil. An electronic interface drives alternatively the two coils and performs a feedback on each sensing coil in order to compensate for the two measured magnetic field components. The sensing element has a magnetic sensitivity of 55 V/mT at an excitation frequency of 8.4 kHz with a 160 mA(peak) driving current. Used as an electronic compass, the reached precision angle is better than 1 degrees. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A, All rights reserved.