A sigma–delta fluxgate magnetometer for space applications

Abstract

This paper describes the concept and development of an innovative combination of conventional fluxgate magnetometer readout electronics with the control loop of a sigma–delta modulator in order to achieve a new magnetometer design that provides direct digital output without the use of a separate analogue-to-digital converter chip. The new concept is especially aimed at the measurement of extraterrestrial magnetic fields within a dynamic range of approximately ±2000 nT aboard scientific space missions which are affected by high radiation doses.