Fluxgate signal detection employing high-order waveform autocorrelation

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for improving the sensitivity of a fluxgate magnetometer for which high-order harmonics are detected and utilized in determining a weak external magnetic field expressed in the core region. These harmonic signals are processed coherently so as to increase the signal-to-noise ratio, since noise can only add to the signal incoherently at these harmonic frequencies. Also disclosed is a method for improving the sensitivity of a fluxgate magnetometer for which the technique of waveform autocorrelation is used in determining a weak external magnetic field expressed in the core region. By convolving the gated signal with a waveform duplicating the signal itself, noise content is effectively suppressed, thereby increasing the resolution power of the fluxgate magnetometer.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.