Analyzing 2D current distributions by magnetic field measurements

With the introduction of smartphones new magnetic field sensors hit the consumer market. Fully digital ICs designed to operate as a compass are at least capable to sense earth´s magnetic field in an adequate resolution and thus are also of interest for other purposes as well. Usage of the devices in a more technical context like non-destructive-testing or current sensing provides reliable data at an economic pricing, but it also provides new challenges to interpret this amount of data, though. This paper investigates the problem of a 2D direct current distribution in a single lane of a stripboard. While the problem definition may be simple, the interpretation of the measured magnetic field above the board may be of interest and the inverse problem of finding the current distribution which causes the magnetic field proves rather difficult.