A multi-channel magnetometer for field structure measurement based on time encoded flux-gate sensors

Parallel and digital measurement of large spatial field distributions opens up new applications for magnetometers. A field of interest, e.g. is the localization of magnetic sources by measuring the structure of the magnetic field. A description of a multi-channel magnetometer based on flux-gate sensors suitable for this purpose is given. The underlying principle of this concept is the pulse position principle offering a simple method for digitizing the measured magnetic field strength. Without digital principles it would be very difficult to construct a modular multi-channel magnetometer. The magnetometer currently uses 12 sensors. Thereby, it offers the possibility of 3-D magnetic field measurement. Another goal of the development was to make large sensor-array sizes possible. Measurement assemblies with array diameters of up to 6 m were tested. Characteristic features of the measuring instrument are highlighted, and initial measurements are presented