Magnetic sensor module, system and method

A method of determining a position or orientation of a movable object that is capable of influencing magnetic field lines, or a value derived from said position or orientation, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a magnetic source for generating a magnetic field, the magnetic source having at least one through-opening,
• and arranging the magnetic source such that the movable object is located completely outside of said at least one through-opening, or arranging the magnetic source between a
• magnetic sensor device and the movable object;
• b) measuring at least one magnetic field characteristic using at least one magnetic sensor located in at least one fixed position relative to the magnetic source;
• c) determining a presence and/or a position and/or an orientation of the movable object, or a value derived from said position or orientation, based on at least one sensor signal obtained from the at least one magnetic sensor;
• wherein step b) comprises:
• measuring said at least one magnetic field characteristic at a location inside said at least one through-opening, or at a sensor location at a distance from the movable object larger than a distance between the movable object and the magnetic source.

A sensor assembly for determining a presence and/or a linear position of an object that is movable towards and away from the sensor assembly, the sensor assembly comprising:

• a magnetic source having a central axis and a through-opening;
• at least one or only one magnetic sensor element;
• a processing circuit;
• wherein the at least one magnetic sensor element is configured for providing at least one sensor signal;
• and
• wherein the processing circuit is configured for providing a signal that is indicative of a presence and/or a linear position of an object external to the sensor device when present in the vicinity of the magnet, or a signal derived from said position, based on said at least one sensor signal.