Precise calibration method for triaxial magnetometers not requiring Earth's field compensation

TL;DR

This paper introduces a precise calibration method for triaxial magnetometers that does not require Earth's field nulling or movement, using a Helmholtz coil system and Overhauser magnetometer for improved accuracy.

Contribution

A novel calibration procedure for triaxial magnetometers that simplifies the process by eliminating the need for Earth's field compensation or sensor movement.

Findings

Calibration uncertainty better than 430 ppm in sensitivity

Orthogonality error less than 0.06 degrees

Effective calibration in Earth's magnetic field range

Abstract

A calibration procedure for calibrations of triaxial magnetometers is presented. The procedure uses a triaxial Helmholtz coil system and an Overhauser scalar magnetometer and is performed in the Earth's field range. The triaxial coils are first calibrated with the Overhauser magnetometer, and subsequently, a triaxial magnetometer calibration is performed. As opposed to other calibration approaches, neither Earth's field nulling system nor movements of the magnetometer are needed. A real calibration test was carried out-the extended calibration uncertainty was better than 430 ppm in sensitivity and 0.06{\deg} in orthogonality.