Method of Using a Magnetic Sensor

Abstract

A method of measuring an external magnetic field pointing in a first direction substantially parallel to a surface normal to an at least first magnetoresistive layered structure deposited on a planar substrate, the method comprising: applying the external magnetic field to the planar substrate having at least one structure of soft-magnetic material being adapted to at least partially deflect the external magnetic field in a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the at least first magnetoresistive layered structure, the at least one structure of soft-magnetic material being arranged in the vicinity of the at least first magnetoresistive layered structure; measuring the electrical resistance of the at least first magnetoresistive layered structure, the electrical resistance depending on the magnitude and/or direction of magnetic field being deflected by the at least one structure of soft-magnetic material, and determining at least one of the magnitude and direction of the external magnetic field using the electrical resistance of the at least first magnetoresistive layered structure.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.