Concept and first results of a digital fluxgate magnetometer

Abstract

The feasibility and first results of a near sensor digitalization of fluxgate signals (digital fluxgate magnetometer) are presented. Applying the usual magnetometer electronics we have substituted the analogue section by a digital processing unit (DPU). The 2f0 signal is digitized at its second harmonic and mean values are online phase-sensitively calculated. Based on this development we present a completely redesigned magnetometer experiment for applications on planetary surfaces. Sensor and electronics including serial interface have to be in one housing, its weight is less than 150 g and the number of electrical connections is limited to four (power lines+serial link). Applications for the digital magnetometer on Earth are also discussed.