Magnetic sensor for detecting coarse and fine magnetic patterns

A magnetic sensor, comprising:

• an n (n:
• an integer.gtoreq.3) number of sensing parts arranged in parallel on a planar substrate, each sensing part having a first end and a second end the first end of each sensing part in alignment with each other, the second end of each sensing part in alignment with each other, the sensing parts being spaced from each other at a fixed distance, each sensing part formed of a material effective to output a voltage between the ends when a magnetic field is applied;
• first connection means for electrically connecting in series a first pair of the sensing parts arranged at a fixed first distance defining a first pitch P.sub.A ;
• second connection means for electrically connecting a second pair of the sensing parts in series and spaced at a fixed distance defining a second pitch P.sub.B (P.sub.B <P.sub.A);
• so that the second pair is in a physical position on the substrate that is inside a physical position of the first pair on the substrate;
• means for supplying a power source voltage to said first and second pairs of the sensing parts;
• first output means for outputting a coarse waveform signal from said first pair of the sensing parts based on the sensing of a coarse pattern by the magnetic sensor;
• and
• second output means for outputting a fine waveform signal from said second pair of the sensing parts based on the sensing of a fine pattern by the magnetic sensor.