Applications of nanoparticle-based fluxgate magnetometers for positioning and location

Magnetic sensors can provide a very useful alternative for indicating the position or location of a subject and in conditions where other technologies will fail. For instance, GPS cannot accurately be used indoor and accelerometer-based systems have not yet reached the accuracy required for location after traversing long distances. In this paper we present results from a preliminary investigation aimed at determining the potential of three axes fluxgate magnetometers for personal location. Fluxgate magnetometers can display high sensitivity to magnetic fields but are limited by the properties of the core material. We discuss the potential and advantages of nanoparticle fluxguides in fluxgate magnetometers for positioning and location applications. The nanoparticles used for this study were synthesised using an arc-discharge method.