A Magnetic Field Probe With MHz Bandwidth and 7-Decade Dynamic Range

The design process of a general-purpose high-performance instrument for magnetic field measurements is presented. Demanding requirements have been extracted from standards, regulations, and the literature in some fields of application [e.g., human exposure and industrial and military electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)], consisting of a frequency range of 1 Hz to 400 kHz, an approximately seven-decade dynamic range with impact on designed voltage levels and internal noise, an output signal format, and postprocessing algorithms. The experimental characterization of the prototype is also reported, showing that the frequency response of the instrument is extended up to the megahertz range. The comparison of the instrument´s performances with those of commercial products and published equipment confirms the extremely good performances.