Coupled RT-fluxgates

A novel system, based on oscillating coupled hysteretic fluxgates, that allows the measuring of weak magnetic fields is presented here. The core device is the "residence times differences fluxgate" magnetometer (RT-fluxgate). The coupling of such systems via a linear unidirectional connection can lead to synchronized oscillations past a critical value of the coupling coefficient. The oscillation signal is very sensitive to small changes in target magnetic field and thus this coupled device can be used to quantify a weak target signal. A device prototype has been developed, and experimental characterizations showed oscillation phenomena and frequency shift in the presence of dc target signal as expected.