A Modular Magneto-Inductive Sensor for Low Vector Magnetic Field Measurements

TL;DR

This paper presents a modular magneto-inductive sensor designed for low magnetic field measurements, demonstrating its effectiveness in detecting weak magnetic signals and comparing favorably with existing sensors.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel modular MI sensor capable of vector magnetic field measurement and provides comprehensive performance evaluation and comparison with existing sensors.

Findings

The proposed MI sensor effectively detects weak magnetic fields.

Performance metrics such as noise floor and sensitivity are thoroughly characterized.

The sensor shows competitive results in magnetic anomaly detection.

Abstract

The low magnetic field measurement has been utilized since ancient times in order to find economic resources, to detect magnetic anomalies, etc. In this case, the vector magnetic survey can simultaneously obtain the modulus and direction information of the magnetic field, which can contribute to obtaining more precise information and characteristics of magnetic field resources. This paper is concerned with the possibility of vector magnetic field measurement with a magneto-inductive (MI) magnetic sensor. To evaluate the capability of the MI sensor, a test platform is set up and its performance including the noise floor, the resolution, the sensitivity, etc., are comprehensively characterized. Further, a comparative geomagnetic observation and magnetic anomaly detection among the proposed MI sensor, a high-precision Overhauser sensor, and a commonly used and accepted commercial MI sensor are conducted. The experimental results identify the capability of the proposed MI sensor in weak magnetic detection.